Page 17 of Violent Delights

The thought comes to me quickly, and I glance up in the green eyes of the man staring at me as if I’m a precious toy. Something he can use and abuse. And I realize I’m going to have to give him an heir.

“Let’s dance,” he tells me and my father shouts for music. The party continues as the rough, calloused hands of a man old enough to be my dad paw at me. Nobody thinks it’s wrong. They all laugh and sing along as he twirls me on the makeshift dance floor.

When the song comes to an end, I glance toward the shadows and see nothing.

Perhaps I was imagining Domenico was still here.

Or maybe he’s walked away, realizing I’m a lost cause.

Chapter 9

Domenico

Ishould have never invited her to the graveyard.

But I couldn’t just leave her there. Even though she’s a Vitale, she isn’t like the rest of them. Her innocence, her purity, it called to me like a beacon. A siren song if ever I heard one. Last night has replayed in my mind so many times, I can recite the script as if I’d learned it off by heart.

But, if she doesn’t meet me today, I won’t give up.

My mother enters the kitchen as I pour a strong black coffee. “Did you have a nice evening, darling?” she asks as she floats to the fridge. Her long robe whispers against the expensive tiles as she picks out some strawberries.

“Yes,” I tell her because it’s the truth. Gian thankfully found the jewel my father wanted. Apparently, he seduced one of the maids into taking him to the office, where they fucked. He told me this on the way home last night, and even though I appreciate my friend’s effort, I couldn’t stop thinking about Lelia.

“Is there something bothering you, Domenico?” My mother’s perceptive nature makes me anxious. I can’t tell her I’ve kissed the Vitale girl. I can’t even admit I saw her and think she’s beautiful. If I did that, I’d have the wrath of my father to contendwith. And I’ve only just made him see that I’m capable, even though it wasn’t me. It was my best friend. And when I step up into my father’s position, I’d take him along as my right-hand man.

“No, Mother,” I tell her, faking a smile so she can drop this. I can’t tell her anything about what happened last night. “I’m just tired. Dad’s called me in for a meeting, so I’m heading in now.” I grab my coffee and make my way to my father’s office.

All his private meetings are held at the house, but he does at times call his men to the warehouse where there’s a boardroom set up. It allows us to listen to the torturous screams of the men who’ve wronged him while conducting our business. One thing I know I gained from my father is my bloodlust. It’s a darkness I can’t shake.

Each time I do, it only lures me back in.

“Father,” I greet when I step into his sacred space. Besides me, there aren’t many men allowed in here. Not when he’s here, and least of all when he’s not around.

“Tell me about last night,” he says without acknowledging my politeness. His gaze isn’t on me. Instead, it’s on the screen of his laptop.

I shove my hand in my pocket and pull out the large emerald. Setting it on the desk, I wait for his reaction. When my father smiles, I know he’s happy. There are very specific expressions my father will offer. Mostly, he’s calm, stoic, but right now, he looks like he’s just won a war.

“I’m very proud of you, Domenico,” he tells me as he leans back in his chair. Finally, his attention is on me. When I was growing up, it was the only thing I wanted. My father’s focus was mainly on the men he commanded, on the familia. I was usually an afterthought to him. I’ve become accustomed to that. But right now, as he watches me, I realize all I’ve ever wanted, I no longer need.

“I want out,” I tell him suddenly as the idea forms in my mind. If I’m no longer part of the clan, I can be with her. It’s stupid to think she wants me, even as her father announced her engagement.

“Is this about the girl?” Dad throws out with a smirk cracking on his face. I don’t know how he knows. Perhaps he asked Gian or Romano, but I know none of them would have ratted me out. So, it makes no sense how he even came to that conclusion.

“I don’t know what?—”

“The only way you’ll walk away from this is in a coffin, and even then, you won’t be walking.” My father steeples his fingers as he regards me. “I’ve gotten you an invite to the wedding,” he tells me. “I’m sure she’ll look fetching in the white gown that will be made for a princess.”

There’s no need for me to act like I don’t know what he’s talking about. Not anymore. Instead, I ask, “Why would I go to a Vitale wedding?”

“Because you’re going to take the only thing Aldo Vitale loves.” Confusion must show on my face because my father continues, “You’ll take the bride and when you do, ensure he knows it’s the Montesano.”

“You want me to kidnap his daughter?”

“You want her. Don’t you?”

There’s a challenge laid out before me. I can finally have her, but if I do, she may hate me forever. It’s a chance my father is willing to take, but I can’t do that. I can’t have her look at me with venom in her eyes.

“I’ll send Romano in to do it,” Father says easily. “Or…” He allows the word to hang between us, the unsaid option teasing me as I wait with bated breath for him to tell me what my choice will be.

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