Page 35 of Little Sparrow

He nuzzles into my neck, “I’m not easily taken out either.” We both smile at each other, I believe him.

Chapter thirty-seven

Dante

AfterIleftthedream last night, I needed to sort through my feelings, she had given me everything I asked for, she trusts me not to hurt her. That was my intention when I first came here, but knowing that my old Rose is still there, I never can. She still means alot to me, I wanted her out of this life and now I’ll have to do anything to achieve it.

Knowing what tonight is, I kept Rose updated with the plan. I need to make sure that it will work. I knew my father would set up a meeting with Karalina’s parents sometime soon and with the rush he wants this wedding, it will be as soon as he possibly could. Which is now.

The stairs creak as I walk down, I’m not surprised to see the older couple already here. I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from saying anything stupid. Ricc, Karalina’s father, reaches his hand out for me to shake, slapping our hands together in a strong grip. “Dante. It’s been a while since we have seen each other.” I squeeze his hand firmly before letting go. Karalina’s mother, Giana, pulls me into a hug and I kiss her cheek.

My father enters the room with Karalina at his side.Fantastic. She smiles up at me, but I turn to my father, ignoring her presence. “Let’s get on with it,” I wave my hand towards the dining room. The five of us are having dinner to discuss the wedding. I’d rather watch paint dry.

Maria approaches us and gives my father a small bow. “Your table is ready sir.” The doors are open for us but one of our workers here must be new, he stumbles a little and my father gives him a hard stare, the young man lowers his head and apologises. He is probably Antonio’s replacement, he seems too innocent. Not toughened up enough yet for this world. I wonder if he regrets working here.

The table is set for just us five, crystal glasses set on the table and candles lit in the middle. I’m stuck sitting next to Karalina, sipping on my wine but I don’t bother faking a smile. Mine and her fathers talk deals with shipments with Greece that will be organised after the wedding. I zone out after a while, taking larger sips of my wine, hoping for more just to get through tonight. Karalina leans against me, curling her hand around my bicep. Her parents and my father are observing us, seeing how we react with each other. Moulding us together. Karalina didn’t quite get the memo that it’s just a business arrangement.

“Isn’t that right, darling?”What did she say?Fuck, I don’t have time for this bullshit dinner. “Yeah, of course. Whatever,” I’m only agreeing because this wedding won’t be happening, I won’t be here.

My eyes flicker down to my watch but Karalina tries to get my attention by stroking my arm. I'm so close to ripping myself away from her but I can’t, not yet. The ticking of the clock on my watch seems to get louder, every second I’m waiting. It feels as though it’s been hours here when it’s barely been forty minutes.

A guard slams the doors open of the dining room. Karalina finally jumps back and clutches at her necklace. I lift the crystal glass back to my lips and smile. Chaos is coming.

The guard is breathing heavily and my father stands, the chair scraping against the wood floor echoes through the silence that descended. “What happened? Spit it out.”

The poor guard swallows and looks down for a second. “The girl. She escaped.” He noticeably trembles. I should feel bad for him, but I don’t. Everyone who works here knows exactly what my father is doing, they all let Rose stay here as a prisoner.

“What? How?” My father’s face reddens and he slams his hands down onto the table, causing the cutlery to clatter, my grin widens as I stand, they all turn to me. “I was curious what my new pet could do. She will be mine when I take over, correct? I couldn’t wait to see what she does if set free from that room you keep her trapped in.” My eyebrows raise in a silent question, I want him to admit she is mine now. I reach into my pocket and hold up the amulet ring of the guard who stood by Rose tonight. Everyone goes silent. I just set free the deadliest thing in this house, Karalina’s parents look at each other and back to me. I did notice that Karalina and her parents hadn’t been given one of the amulets. Perfect.

“She obeys me. She will only do as I say from now on. You’re getting old and as soon as I’m married, you will retire,” I simply tell him while shrugging my shoulders, this should be common knowledge. I’m surprised my father didn’t see this coming before. He really lost his touch.

“I have years left in me, I don't believe this,” my father shakes his head in denial at everything that’s happening. He has no control and he despises it. It’s something he always had against everyone, he knows it’s slipping away.

“You should believe it, because it’s happening. Once the marriage begins, so does my reign. Rose is quite exceptional isn’t she? I see why you kept her here,” I keep my voice steady as I go through the words I had rehearsed.

“You little shit,” He seethes, spittle flying from his mouth. “Do you really expect to gain her loyalty this fast? You have no idea what you are doing.”

“It didn’t take much, you brainwashed her. All I had to do was mention the Barelli name and she was putty in my hands,” I shrug, but each word that flows from my mouth feels like ash.

I walk away from the table and near the guard, who has gone pale. My eyes travel to the door. “Come, little demon.” I reach out to Rose with my ring free hand on show. She walks in with her head held high. Her murderous glare on Karalina.

My gaze lands back on Rose. Almost all of her skin is on show. She’s practically naked. This is a really bad time for my dick to get hard. I’m torn between proving a point in front of them or dragging her upstairs and punishing her. I clench my jaw and smile and force out the words that she doesn’t deserve, treating her the way my father would. “Will you be a good girl and not kill anyone without me saying so?” We had already discussed this upstairs, so she knows I won’t keep her prisoner here. This is all for a show, to prove a point. I’m making her untouchable, both of us. If he takes her from me after my claiming of her, the business will dwindle. He must keep to his word or kill me.

“I won’t.” She murmurs, eyes turn to me, only on me. Her eyes glow with hunger again. Insatiable.

“This is unbelievable, why are you taking off your amulet? Their only protection against her? Everything I have done for you, bringing you back into this home. I gave you a job. You have opportunities here for you.” My father grabs the wine glass and throws it on the wall, causing everyone in the room to jump. Except for me and Rose. I hate that she has seen his temper before.

I wrap my hand around her arm, dragging her out of the room, feeling all eyes on me. Right now I don’t give a shit. “You’re coming with me.” I’m practically dragging her up the stairs as she giggles. Her body is mine to see and now they have seen too much.

Chapter thirty-eight

Rose

Jealousygotthebestof me when I heard a woman's laugh down the stairs while I waited, talking about having dinner together. I stripped off down to the small scraps of clothing I keep, less than usual, I’m comfortable in my own skin and know I’m beautiful. I still chuck the dress I was supposed to wear over my chair. Then I leave.

Killing the guard was an accident, I was only supposed to touch him enough to keep him down for an hour, but I couldn’t rip myself away properly this time, his memories, he was an awful person and deserved to die. But when I saw Dante’s face in the dining room, I knew I had fucked up in some way.

Once we get back to my room, he slams the door closed. He takes deep breaths while facing away from me. I step towards him with a smile. “Hurt me, I dare you. We both know I need to be punished.” My chest touches his muscled back, when he turns he looks at me all over, eyes darkening. I reach down and stroke his cock through his clothes and his eyes flutter closed, I stop when he grabs my wrist hard and wraps it behind my back.

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