Page 2 of Sin and Seduction

Her bed is empty, the sheets rumpled and unmade. I look around the room and see no sign of her. As I make my way to the bathroom, I see a shadow move in her closet. I open the door fully and find my wife sitting on the floor of her closet. No sobs or tears, just sitting there silently in a towel like a monk would in a temple. I kneel next to her and brush a lock of wet hair back. She showered by herself today, and even though that should bring me joy, I feel a twinge of sadness pull at my stomach. I like that she’s needed me for the last couple of weeks. I like that she relied on me. And now, I feel even more useless than I ever did before.

“You should’ve called for me. I would’ve helped you today,” I say quietly, my hand resting on her bare shoulder as she remains mute.

Minutes pass, and we stay like that. Her sitting cross-legged, staring at her designer wardrobe as I sit uncomfortably, staring at her. I sigh and drop my hand, standing now, looking down at her silent form. She is even more beautiful when she is broken. She’s been so strong since she’s been with me, I almost forgot about her true innocence after all this time.

“James has Gabriela. Somewhere in Wyoming. Sergio and I will be leaving tomorrow to find her. Oscar and his men will still be here, as well as Benjamin. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need me. I can be on a plane back to you in minutes,” I say, still standing in her haunted silence.

“I love you, mi ciela. I will be home before you know it.” I stand awkwardly, awaiting a response that I know will not come.

With a deep sigh, I turn and head for the door.

“Wait.” Her voice rasps out, stopping me immediately.

God, how I’ve missed her.

“Don’t go,” is all she says, and it’s enough.

It’s enough to make me stop in my tracks and run to her quickly, pulling her in my arms as her hair wets my shirt. I kiss her head repeatedly, whispering sweet words as my lips meet her sweet skin. She revels in it, crawling into my lap and clinging to me like a koala. I breathe her in, soaking up this moment for all it’s worth.

“Mi ciela. How I’ve missed you,” is all I say as her emerald eyes meet mine.

“I’ve been right here…” she says, a small smile flirting with her full lips.

I brush her hair away from her face, holding her cheeks in my hands as we gaze at one another quietly.

My wife, my beautiful fucking wife.

“I know it’s selfish of me to ask. I know she’s your baby sister, but I—”

“But you are also mywife,and if I’ve shown you anything these last couple of weeks, you can see that I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else but beside you.”

She nods at my words, her head bobbing up and down as tears gather in her green pools.

“Do not cry, mi amor. I won’t leave you. Sergio already planned to take others with him. I just offered because I know you need time to grieve.”

She’s silent for a moment, staring at her large, pear-shaped wedding ring as she twirls it on her little finger.

What are you thinking now, mi ciela?

“We haven’t really had the time to discuss this whole marriage thing. With my mom…” She doesn’t say the words, but she doesn’t have to.

I take her small hand in mine, kissing her large ring before speaking.

“I know, I know, Emmie. And we can discuss it when you’re ready.” I swallow before speaking again, the words sitting in my mouth like lead.

“I had to go through with the marriage to ensure your safety with your father. With him being gone, even though James is still out there with Gabriela, there is less of a threat to you. It’s back to my family now, back to the war that you have no part of. I understand if you want to...go forward with an annulment. There’s still time. Hell, I’ll give you a settlement to pay for my bullshit if you want. I’ll give you everything I fucking have.” I pepper her face with kisses, trying to taste every bit of her flesh that I can reach.

She pulls back, eyeing me with so much love that it stops my black, beating heart. There’s still sadness in her green eyes, but love for me rushes forth, and it makes me fall for her even more.

My beautiful, forgiving Emmie.

“I don’t want a divorce or annulment, Dante,” she whispers, her hand reaching up to hold my cheek. I grab it and kiss it.

“Of course, I wanted to marry you. Though, I imagined it being much later than when we did. I just wanted a proper proposal. All the romantic bullshit. I wanted to remember my wedding day.” Sadness is filled in her voice, and it makes me mentally kick myself in the balls once more.

I’m a selfish bastard, and when it comes to this woman, I will do everything in my power to keep her safe. Even if it means making her pissed at me.

“I will still give you that. I’ll fill every room in this house with roses. I’ll let you design the dress of your dreams. We can even pick out a new ring together. We can throw the biggest celebration I’ve had with all of your loved ones near.”

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