Page 49 of Violent Delights

“I’m in this with you,” I whisper. “Whatever happens.”

He leans in.

And kisses me like a vow.

One day.

That’s all the time we have left.

One more day to pretend, to play our parts.

One more day before everything burns.

Chapter 22

Lelia

As the night wears on, the storm finally breaks. Rain pounds the roof like fists. The wind howls against the glass, and thunder rolls low and deep, like a threat whispered in the dark.

I should sleep. But instead, I pace.

I keep thinking about Nico. About the way he looked at me. About how this house has eyes in every wall and how Nico is only one misstep away from being discovered.

I leave my bedroom and head down the hall to see my father. When I reach the bedroom door, I knock. I can feel the guards watching me, but I no longer care. It’s time to end this.

My mother opens the door and smiles. “Darling.”

“Mom,” I say as she embraces me.

“Come in.” When I do enter the room, I find my father at the desk, working. I knew he would be. The man never sleeps.

“Lelia,” he says as he stops looking at the computer screen and turns to me. “What are you doing here?”

“Dad,” I say, my heart thudding in my chest. “If I told you I didn’t want to get married, what would you say?”

“Oh, darling,” Mom pipes up. “You’re just getting cold feet. Ignacio is a lovely man, and he’s got so many connections. Anything you want to do in life he’ll be able to help with.”

“It’s not about that, Mother. I want to love the man I marry, not live a life alone and be kept like an owned pet.”

“Sweetheart,” my dad says then. “You’re acting like a child. This is your destiny.” The words sting because I know it’s a lie. Nico is my fate, not Ignacio. There’s no getting through to them, so I nod.Playing the role.

“Sorry to have bothered you.” I turn and stop at the threshold of their room. “See you tomorrow.”

When I shut the door behind me, I feel alone.

“My cousin,” Cassio’s voice carries from down the hall and my stomach once again drops to my feet. He’s the last person I wanted to be alone with. But I have no choice but to be the perfectly poised woman.

“Cassio.”

“What are you doing out here all alone?” He stops right in front of me, leaning in so I have to step back. My body hits the wall, and I have no escape.

“I wanted to talk to my parents. Is that okay with you?” I snap back. I’m tired, and I don’t feel the need to talk to him.

“No need to be rude.” He chuckles. “Come, I’ll walk you back to your bedroom.”

I want to refuse him, but if I do, he’ll get suspicious.

“Soon you’ll be a married woman. I bet he’ll fuck you endlessly until you’re carrying his child.” My cousin has always been vulgar, but he’s taking this to another level. “Thankfully, you never ran off with a Montesano,” he says as he stops short, gripping my arm so I’m turned to face him. “Right?”

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