Page 22 of Sin and Seduction

“I just spread my mother's ashes yesterday, but I saved some in this locket. Would you like to see?”

“Emmie!” Dante hisses, but his mother waves him off.

She sits back and stares at me for a while, the silence stretching in the summer air around us. Dante grabs my hand and caresses my wedding ring, his mother's eyes tracking the movement.

“How did you meet my son?” she asks.

“He held me hostage because he thought I was involved with my father's affairs. Little did he know that I had zero knowledge that my father existed, let alone knew about his business and your family’s business. We’ve been in love ever since,” I say sarcastically.

“She’s witty, this one,” his mother says, laughing harshly and extending her manicured hand to shake mine.

“My name is Camila. It’s nice to meet you, Esmeralda May,” she says, and I shake her hand, the tension easing.

“Likewise,” I say, sitting back and grabbing Dante’s hand.

“I really do love your son, Camila,” I say, looking over at Dante as he gives me a small, worried smile.

“But if I could redo our history, I would. I’d take out all the death and the lies, but as you know, I can’t. That’s all that exists in this world I’ve come to see, but no matter how dark it’s been, it doesn’t change the fact that my heart only beats for this man. I am subjected to this world with or without him, so I’d much rather live in it with him by my side if you’ll allow it,” I whisper to her, my eyes never leaving my husband’s as he stares back at me with the same love that I feel in my heart.

“You’re both adults; you don’t need my blessing. You just need to be smart and brave. You know what this world entails, but you have no idea what exactly it can bring. The luxury is nice, but it’s an escape from the hell of it all. You are no stranger to death, but I suggest you get used to watching your back every minute of the day. Monsters love to hide in the shadows,” she says, getting up and walking back toward the house.

“All of you will be dressed and ready for dinner in the next couple of hours. We are having a family meal and gathering for the announcement of your engagement,” she says, gripping the door and staring at me one last time.

“Welcome to the family, Esmeralda,” she says, her voice cryptic as she walks back into the house.

Dante rubs my hand reassuringly, and we all sit in silence before Oscar speaks up.

“Well, I think that went well, don’t you?” he says, and Dante scowls at him as I bark out a laugh.

Welcome to the family indeed.

* * *

Dante and I are sharing a room on the very top floor of the house. The suite is his old bedroom, but it has been redone. The walls are a very dark red and lined with gold candle holders. Every candle is lit and gives the room a warm glow. The four-poster bed sits against the far wall, lined and set with matching red linens. I’m sitting in front of the fireplace, adjusting my red heels as Dante enters the room and stops to look at me. I stand and stare back, fluffing my dark curls behind my shoulders as his eyes travel up and down my body.

I’m wearing a dark red dress that has an open back and a slit up the thigh, my lips matching the color perfectly. I feel like a vixen, and my husband is looking at me like I’m his last meal alive. He walks to me, and his hands land on my shoulders, caressing them and my throat as I tilt my head back to look at him. He’s wearing a black suit and smells of rich cologne. His hair is slicked back, and his face is freshly shaven. As much as I liked his beard, I love seeing his beautiful face even more.

“Mi marido perfecto.”My perfect husband,I whisper to him, and he laughs.

“For a Latin woman, your Spanish sure is shit,” he says and I frown as he kisses me.

“I guess my mouth is better at other things,” I say, and he growls, kissing my throat and making my legs shake slightly.

“It is much better at other things, baby,” he whispers against my skin.

He licks up my throat and claims my mouth, kissing me fiercely as my nails dig into his suit-covered arms. His hands go to my ass and lift me slightly, pushing me into his hardening erection. Just as things are about to get heated, a knock sounds at the door.

“Jesus christ.” He groans and steps away from me to open it, letting Gabriela in with a scowl.

“Sorry for interrupting-”

“You should be,” he hisses.

“Dante, enough,” I say, smiling and fixing my lipstick as Gabriela conceals a grin.

“I just need to speak with Emmie,” she says, looking at me.

“So go for it,” Dante says impatiently.

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