Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 43928 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43928 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 220(@200wpm)___ 176(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
"Are you close?"
Aurelia nods, glancing down at her hands. "We've always been really close."
Something about the way she says it, or perhaps the way her voice shakes when she does, sends a sick sense of dread washing through me. She hasn't talked about her mother once since we've been together. She hasn't asked to call her, hasn't asked to see her. She hasn't mentioned her at all, in fact.
If they're so close, why hasn't she brought her up? Wouldn't her mother want to hear from her?
Something isn't right.
I share a look with Coda, who seems to understand my unspoken request—find out where her mother is, because something isn't adding up. He jerks his chin in a nod, his expression grim.
The baby monitor suddenly crackles to life, a tiny wail slipping through the room.
Amalia hops to her feet, inviting Aurelia to join her in checking on the baby.
Her gaze flickers to me as if seeking permission.
"Go ahead, little mouse," I encourage her, wanting her to know that I trust her and that she can trust Amalia. Nothing will happen to her inside this house. Every man inside would die to protect her.
The rest of the women immediately decide to join them. Chairs scrape back as they rise to their feet and slip from the room, chattering back and forth.
The atmosphere shifts as their voices fade in the distance.
Rafe turns his piercing gaze on me. "She suits you," he says.
"She does." I take a sip of brandy.
"She's quiet."
"She is."
Everyone watches us, smirking as Rafe repeatedly tries to pry for more information about her and our relationship but my lips remain sealed.
There's plenty I'd like to tell him—like the fact that his father is a stone-cold prick. Or the fact that his sister is extraordinary. Or the fact that I'm madly in love with her and willing to break any oath and fight any battle to keep her. But there's nothing I can say now.
"Maledizione, Mattia! You're a tight-lipped bastard," Rafe chuckles eventually, shaking his head in mock disbelief before raising his glass in a congratulatory toast. "But seriously, I'm happy for you."
I nod my appreciation but remain silent, the truth chafing like fucking chains around my wrists.
Aurelia deserves better than this. Goddammit. She deserves better.
A few minutes later, she reappears in the doorway, her face pale and eyes rimmed in red as if she's been crying.
My heart clenches at the sight of her distress. I rise from the table, crossing to her.
What the fuck happened?
"Can we go now?" she whispers, her voice trembling.
"Of course," I reply without hesitation, tipping her chin up until she meets my gaze. "Are you okay?"
She nods, averting her gaze.
I sigh, pressing my lips to her forehead before I glance back at the table. "We're leaving," I mutter, catching Rafe's eye.
He nods, his gaze flickering to Aurelia.
Coda catches my gaze, a question in his eyes, but I don't have an answer for him. I don't know what the fuck happened.
I intend to find out, though.
"We have business to discuss tomorrow," Rafe calls as I usher Aurelia out, worry gnawing at me.
Once we're inside the SUV, I can't hold back any longer. "What's wrong, little mouse?" I demand, turning to her. "What happened?"
"Nothing," she lies, avoiding my gaze. The stubbornness in her tone sets my teeth on edge.
"You're lying to me," I growl, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
"I'm fine, Mattia."
She's lying again.
I snap, frustration boiling over. I reach for her, dragging her out of her seat and into my lap despite the confined space.
"Mattia, stop," she growls. "I said I was—"
I silence her with my lips on hers, my kiss hard, punishing…possessive, as I try to draw the truth from her lips.
"Don't fucking lie to me, Aurelia," I warn, my voice a rough growl. "Not right now. You aren't fine. You were crying."
I'm ready to rip my fucking skin from my bones at the thought of her tears, and she's lying about them. I can't fucking stand the thought of her upset enough to cry. I need to know what happened so I can fix it. I have to fix it.
She stares at me for a moment before leaning forward and biting my lip, defiance shining in her eyes.
"Is that how you want to do this then?" I snarl, ripping the front of her dress down, baring her perfect tits to my hungry gaze. "You want me to fuck the truth out of you, cara mia?"
"What do you think?" she challenges, her hand slipping between us to grab my already hard cock. With her, it's always fucking hard. Always aching. Dio. He knows he belongs to her.
I should tell her no, force her to talk to me. But I don't. Of course, I don't. I'm incapable of denying her anything. From the moment I set eyes on her, I've been hers to command. Whatever she wants, whatever she needs, I'll give her. Even if it leads me straight to hell.