Page 111 of Stolen Vows

He sets the book down and turns his attention back to me. His gaze sweeps over me, assessing, calculating. Then he exhales through his nose, something between a sigh and a laugh.

“For making things difficult, of course.”

I swallow against the lump in my throat, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Giovanni.” My voice comes out steady, even. A small victory.

He chuckles, a low, dark sound that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. “Don’t play coy, Chessa. It doesn’t suit you.” He takes a step closer, his expensive shoes clicking against the hardwood floor. “We had an arrangement, you and I. A mutually beneficial one, if I recall.”

My stomach twists, nausea roiling inside me at his words. An arrangement. Like our relationship, our future together, was nothing more than a business transaction.

And maybe to him, it was. But to me, it was my life. My choices, my autonomy, handed over to a man I barely knew because my parents deemed itbeneficial.

I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders as I meet his gaze head on. “No. You had an arrangement with my parents.”

Something dark flashes in his eyes, there and gone again so quickly I can’t name it. “Hm. I seem to recall how generous I was when you came to me begging to go to college. Begging to open a bookstore. Begging to delay our wedding time and time again.”

I shake my head as that burning ember grows hotter inside of me, multiplying and evolving into something else.

Rage.

Romeo picks up on it immediately, his growls splitting the air.

Gio glares at my dog, malice peeking through the mask I knew he wore. “Get your dog under control before I do.”

“Get out.” It’s a low demand, said in a tone I don’t even recognize even though it came from me.

He laughs and takes a step toward me. It’s a challenge. “C’mon, Chessa. Don’t be stupid now. Not when your future is on the line.” His hand curls around my forearm, his grip tight. “I could make it good for you, at least the first time. All you have to do is pop out a couple of Baldini boys, and then I’ll leave you alone. For the most part.” He grins, malevolence dripping from his lips.

Rage burns white-hot through my veins, eating away my common sense and smothering my fear. How dare he come into my store, my sanctuary, and threaten me? How dare he speak to me like I’m some broodmare he can breed at his leisure? Like my only worth is what’s between my legs?

“Take your hand off me,” I say through gritted teeth, my voice low and dangerous. “Now.”

Romeo’s growls grow louder, his hackles raised as he edges closer to Giovanni, teeth bared.

Giovanni’s grip tightens painfully on my arm as he leans in close, his breath hot against my cheek. “You don’t get to make demands of me, Chessa. You seem to have forgotten your place.”

“My place?” I seethe, taking a step toward him. He’s only four or five inches taller than me, so it puts me in his face. Romeo stays glued to my side, his growls constant now. “Let me tell youyourplace, Giovanni Baldini. You’resmall. A pawn who can’t get out from underneath his daddy’s thumb. You’re a glorified errand boy, jumping every time someone tells you to. And that’s all you’ll ever be.” I pause, breathing heavy as I deliver words I’ve been holding back for years. “And you willneverbe my husband.”

Rage flashes in his eyes. For the first time since he walked in, true fear slithers down my spine. My pulse pounds in my ears as his grip tightens.

His nostrils flare as he grips both of my arms now, shaking me a little as he brings me into him. “You’re a fucking bit?—”

“If you value your hands, you’ll remove them from my wife,” a deep, familiar voice interrupts from behind us.

My head snaps toward the sound, my heart leaping into my throat. Graham stands in the doorway, his broad frame filling the space, his expression thunderous. His eyes are locked on Giovanni, dark and dangerous, promising violence.

Giovanni’s grip tightens painfully on my arms before he releases me with a shove. I stumble back a step, catching myself on the edge of the counter. Romeo positions himself between me and Giovanni, his growls growing louder, more menacing.

Graham stalks forward, his movements controlled and predatory. The air crackles with tension, with barely restrained violence. He doesn’t take his eyes off Giovanni for a second as he puts himself in front of me, effectively blocking Gio’s view of me.

I step into Graham, resting my palm on his back. My shoulders drop and my hands tremble, which seems silly. All I did was say a few things to a man I’ve known for my entire life. I don’t even know if I swore. Damn, I should’ve lobbed some choice curse words at him while I had the chance.

I peek around my husband’s broad back.

“Let me guess. You’re the husband,” Giovanni says, straightening his suit jacket with an air of nonchalance that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

Graham doesn’t respond, his jaw clenched tight, his hands flexing at his sides like he’s barely restraining himself from reaching for Giovanni’s throat. The silence stretches, heavy and charged, the only sound Romeo’s continued growling.

“I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure,” Giovanni continues, extending his hand with a shark’s smile. “Giovanni?—”