Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 101247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
A small smile plays on my lips, but I catch it before it blossoms. “No one knows that this is a transactional marriage, and we’re going to keep it that way, so sulk all you want when we are alone, but when we walk out of here you’re going to smile like you’re the happiest bride in the world.”
Francesca’s eyes flash stubbornly. “So the feared Godfather of the Barone clan is actually a coward,” she scoffs. “Too ashamed to tell his family he married a woman for a piece of land. You think you’re better than us, but you’re not. You need us to get your filthy hands on Terra de Barbiera.”
Anyone else would have been bleeding on my handmade, high-grade, full-grain leather shoes for daring to speak to me this way, but I only watch, my heart and cock stirring as my new bride verbally mauls me. She’s a fireball for sure, and I desperately crave to dominate and subdue her.
I want her crying and begging for my cock.
I want her to cry with need for me.
I want that mouth that scowls and growls at me to moan with pleasure as my body and hands teach her some manners.
“Don’t you have anything to say?” she snaps when I don’t respond.
I lean forward, staring into her lovely eyes. Her pupils dilate at my nearness, and I can tell that her bravado is only a facade. She’s afraid of me, and rightfully so. She should never forget who I am.
“I don’t know how much your grandfather told you, but you are a target, my dear wife. They want you because of Terra de Barbiera, the land you hate me for. But because of me, because of my protection, you are safe.”
Francesca sucks in a breath but says nothing. Our gazes remain locked to each other.
“You must pretend to people that this is a marriage of love; otherwise, they will come for you thinking I don’t love you. In the Cosa Nostra, family is everything, and they know that coming for the loved ones is a declaration of war. Especially for the wife of the Godfather himself. Let them think I love you so they’ll be too afraid to touch you.”
She nods obediently and it is the fucking hottest thing I’ve ever seen. I lean back, glad that my raging erection is hidden behind my fly.
I manage to calm myself down by turning away from her and thinking of how I will wipe the stupid smirk off Burim Boga’s ugly face. Eventually, the plane comes to a stop and I lead Francesca towards the exit. Outside the jet, my four cousins are lined up, waiting for my arrival. From the left to right are Roberto, Matteo, Federico, and Giuseppe. They are the sons of Zio Marco, my father’s older brother.
“Benvenuti,” they chorus in welcome as I descend the boarding stairs. “It’s so good to see you, Valentino. We’ve been waiting.”
I hug and kiss their cheeks before turning to Francesca, who is standing a few steps behind me. I meet her eyes, silently reminding her of our agreement on the jet. She winks at me suddenly, then smiles brightly, so brightly I am blinded. Sliding her small arm around my waist, she looks up at me with adoring eyes.
“Won’t you introduce me to your family, amore mio?”
Jesus, I married a fucking actress. I’m too bemused by the change in her to even respond.
She flashes me a sexy smile before turning her attention to my cousins. “Hello. I’m Francesca Barbieri.”
“Wrong.” Federico steps forward. He and Matteo are the jesters of the group, and he already has a teasing smile as he looks at Francesca. “You are Francesca Barone.”
“Oh!” Francesca laughs and slides a shy glance my way. “You’re right. I haven’t gotten used to my new name yet, but it has a beautiful ring to it.”
“You will.” Federico takes her hand and kisses it. “I am Rico. The rumors don't do you justice. You are far, by far more beautiful than they say.”
“Get out.” Matteo good-naturedly pushes Federico away. “Hi. I am Matteo, and these two idiots are Giuseppe and Roberto.”
“It’s nice to meet everyone,” Francesca says with a smile. “I hear you’re a big family.”
“You have no idea,” Matteo answers. “Everyone is waiting at the house. The family traveled down from Florence, New York, Chicago, Sicily, and Paris to attend the party Nonna Isadora is throwing for you and Valentino.”
“Well,” Francesca says with an intriguing smile. “That sounds like the making of a wonderful party.”
I grab Francesca’s hand from Matteo’s hold and pin him with a glare so vicious he takes a step back. “Let’s get to the house.”
We walk to the fleet of vehicles a few feet away, and I recognize my Black Audi immediately. Vance and Dutch materialize from the shadows and take the front seats while I open the back door for Francesca. My cousins have dispersed to their vehicles so she jerks her hand away from mine and slips into the car.