Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“Do you really want to test your will against my reputation?”
“Ugh! Great. It’s our wedding night and you’re already talking about your whores.” I rolled my eyes. “Do they know you got married today?”
“Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Sienna.”
“I’m not jealous. I don’t care what you do with your cock.”
“Hmm…”
“What? I don’t.”
“I’m not sure which amuses me more, you talking about my dick or you thinking I give a fuck what you care about.”
I didn’t want to keep stroking his ego, so I changed the subject back to what I really craved to know. “So, explain yourself. Our arranged marriage was your idea?”
“Not that I owe you any explanation for my dealings, but I’ll answer just this one time when you say please.”
“Oh my God. You can’t be serious.”
He pushed off the wall, ignoring me. It was as if he already knew everything about my personality. I hated being ignored.
I watched him pour himself a drink at the bar until finally I deeply sighed, blurting, “Please.”
Our eyes connected.
“Now was that so hard?”
“Painfully. Are you going to answer me or just stand there and gloat?”
“Is that what I’m doing?”
“What the hell? Must you answer everything with a question? Just answer mine.”
Raising the glass to his lips, he drank it down in one gulp.
“By all means, Cruz, take your time.”
“Are you in a hurry for something?”
“Yeah, your fucking answer.”
He scoffed out another chuckle. “You’re going to have to work on that feisty attitude of yours if you’re going to persist on knowing about my business affairs.”
“And you’re going to have to work on how to respond when you’re asked a question.”
He set the glass down, finally divulging, “I want you, Sienna. It’s that simple.”
“And what? My father was just keen on giving me away to the first gangster who had the balls to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage?”
“I know your worth, he knows mine. End of conversation.”
“Really?” I gazed around the room. “Here I thought we were just getting started.”
“Come here.”
I side-eyed him. “No.”
“I won’t ask you again. Come here.”
“No, I’m not a dog.”
“Considering you’re still acting like a bitch, it’s debatable.”
“I wouldn’t be acting like a bitch if your last name didn’t sign off on my death certificate. I’ll tell you how I’m so sure about my fate since I’m now tied to you. My mother’s last word to me was, ‘run.’ I didn’t understand, but I did as I was told. I ran as fast as I could back into our home. The same one I still lived in before my father handed me to you. He couldn’t bear to part with it. My mother lived behind those concrete walls. Even after her death, her presence was still there. She knew, Cruz. She fucking knew there was a bomb in that limo. She wasn’t supposed to be with me, I was supposed to be going to school by myself.” I remembered that day like it was yesterday. It played out right before my eyes.
He stepped in my direction. However, I put my hand up, stopping him dead in his tracks.
“Do you have any idea what it’s like knowing she died for me? She gave her life for mine. She knew they’d never stop until they killed one of us, so she made damn sure it was her instead of me. So now all I can do is wait until it’s my turn to meet her fate. What do you think, Cruz? Huh?” I challenged. “Will it be another car bombing? I escaped death once, and we both know death doesn’t like that. I don’t think I’ll be that lucky again.”
“Sienna—”
“Don’t. Don’t you dare promise me things that are out of your control. I’m not weak, husband. I don’t need to hear your bullshit lies on the protection you’ll offer me. My father had dozens of guards surrounding my mother day and night, and she died right on our property. So fuck you, and your mafia life. I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t want it. The title of Mrs. Martinez just cost me my future at the hand of your demise. This is what you want right? Me? My virgin blood?” I unzipped my dress and it pooled at my feet. “Well, I don’t need to put on a silk nightie for that.” Viciously, I kicked my gown at him.
I was over this bullshit. I’d give him what he wanted as long as it kept me in control of some aspect of my life.
I was left in my corset.
Panties.
Thigh-high stockings.
Heels.
His eyes drank me in, and my impulses didn’t falter. If anything, the expression on his face stirred my will to show him up. Proving I could have just as much power if not more than he could.
Slowly, I sat on the edge of the bed and seductively scooted my way to the middle. His daunting, hypnotic green eyes never wavered from my face.