Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“Then you’re marrying him,” he says, walking me to the car while glaring at every guard who dares to even look at me.
“We hate each other,” I insist as my father slides me into his vehicle, closing the door before without responding.
When he climbs into the driver’s side, he scoffs, “Didn’t look like it to me. Now, let’s go home. You weren’t supposed to be over here in the first place, so the fact that you were needs answering.” The last they were aware, I was in my bedroom doing research.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” It comes out in a mutter as I stare out the window, seeing nothing through my unshed tears. I wipe them away quickly so my father can’t see them.
“Why the fuck was Santos on you?”
“He caught me alone and tried to hit on me.” My response is flat and as matter of fact as possible, keeping the details out of it so my father doesn’t know how close it really came. If Matteo hadn’t come in when he did, I don’t know what would have happened. Santos had caught me so far off guard, I was trapped. Never had I been cornered like that, and he was larger than Matteo and even my father. A true goon.
“So, Matteo killed him for it?”
“Yes,” I whisper.
He lets out a chuckle. “And you say he hates you.” I left out the part where he heard Santos threatening to rape me with his hands on me and me pinned to Matteo’s desk.
My father would have done the same as Matteo without an ounce of hesitation. Most of the guys would have pulled him off or beat the dog shit out of him because I’m my dad’s daughter, but they don’t have the power to do what Matteo or my dad would have done.
“It’s a loyalty thing to you more than anything.”
“Okay, if you say so.” A text hits his phone. “So, it’s on for tomorrow morning at St. Mary’s.”
“Are you serious?” My eyes nearly pop out of my head because that’s freaking nuts. There’s no way he’s able to get that together so fast. Squash that, of course he’s able to pull it off in a heartbeat, but it doesn’t mean it’s what I want.
“Yes.”
“He’s insane. I can’t marry him.” I shake my head, clamping my lips shut.
“Why not? A part of you doesn’t hate him as much as you believe, and you need someone like him to keep your ass in check.”
When we enter the house, we run straight into my mother. Seeing her only reignites my emotions. She and father married out of love. They’re utterly devoted to each other, and I’m supposed to marry a man who frustrates me, who thinks I’m a child, and who calls me a snake. I’m not sexy like my mother. I’m not refined, either.
“What’s going on?”
“I hate him,” I hiss. “I’m going to kill him. I don’t care what anyone says. Capo or not.”
“Who, sweetheart?” Mom asks so sweetly, being the loving, supporting person I need. I wish I could just let my guard down and tell her the truth. Tell her that I’m tired of being me. Tell her that I’m…in love.
“Matteo,” my father says, sounding annoyed.
“What happened?” Shit, my mom is worried, which is only going to irritate my father, and that means I’m in trouble and so is anyone that gets in his way.
I can’t take this shit anymore because it’s my birthday, and what I thought was going to be amazing has been ruined. “He’s an asshole is what he is, and you’re no better.” I point right at my father.
“Little girl, I’d watch it or you’ll be in trouble,” my mom yells at me, but I don’t care. Right now, I’m brokenhearted and there’s nothing that will make it right.
“I’m already sentenced to a fate worse than death anyway, so whatever.” I’ve never felt so damn on edge.
“Make sure she doesn’t leave her room,” I hear my father say as I storm off. “And don’t stand too close. She’s feeling a bit testy, and so is Matteo.”
I slam my bedroom door shut, giving no fucks about the rules today. I won’t be here much longer anyway. Going through my room, I pack up my belongings because I’m supposedly getting married, but I’m not going through with it, even if it means running.
For the life of me, I can’t explain how my father didn’t come to my defense, but then again, I screwed up royally and created a storm in the Conti Crime Family. The death of Matteo’s second will not be something people will take lightly.
How did this happen? I pull the little card out from under my pillow with tears in my eyes.
Happy birthday, my little serpent.
For years, I’ve longed to take you in my arms and worship you. Own that perfect figure until you’re screaming for me, but the time wasn’t right. Now, I can finally surrender at your feet, my little queen.