Page 40 of Vicious Heir

“I’ll call you later,” he says to the phone, staring at me. “She’s awake.”

Then he hangs up.

I hesitate, wondering if this was a good idea. The office smells like whiskey and cedar. It’s a pretty typical room with lots of wood, high bookshelves, and filing cabinets. The furniture is nice, though, and probably antique. I have a good eye for that kind of thing, and Adriano definitely has good taste.

“Did you stay up all night?” I ask, shutting the door quietly behind me.

“I’ve been busy.” He sits back in his chair and studies me. “Bianca’s clothes suit you.”

“You’re only saying that because they’re tight.”

“Did you sleep alright?”

“Had some bad dreams.” I slump into the chair across from him and pull my knees up to my chest. “Did anyone get hurt?”

“Security guards died in the attack. Some other people were unlucky enough to have been down in the lobby when the bomb went off. But none of our guests.”

“That’s terrible.”

“About whom? The civilians? Or none of the guests were hurt?”

I smile slightly. “I guess it wouldn’t have been the worst thing if at leastsomeof them got a little burned.”

“Sadistic. I like that.” He smiles sadly. “Unfortunately for us, they’re all well, but they’re pissed.”

“Do you know why it happened?”

“I have my guesses.” He checks his watch. It’s a little past eight in the morning. “I’ll know more shortly.”

I want to ask what he means by that, but the look on his face suggests I probably don’t want to know the details. “You should get some sleep.”

“I’ll sleep tomorrow.”

“I’m serious, Adriano.” I get up and go around the desk. He looks so withered, like he’s running on fumes. There are empty coffee cups scattered on his desk near his elbow. “Get a few hours. Set your phone to ring so you don’t miss any important calls. But get some sleep.” I gesture at the couch against the wall. “Even just a nap over there.”

He studies me curiously. “Why do you care?”

“I’m not sure,” I admit. “Maybe I just don’t want my husband to die of a heart attack brought on by lack of sleep.”

“We both know you wouldn’t mind that one bit.”

“Fair point, but I am too young to be a widow.” I lean down and touch his arm. “Come on.”

He could resist me. Adriano’s twice my size and weight. He’s sin and death with fists that bruise and break bones and a mouth that commands men and breaks hearts. A thrill runs down my spine, remembering the way he kissed me. The way he fucked me.

“Just a nap,” he says and lets me guide him over to the couch. “And only because you’re asking.”

“Whatever gets you through the day.”

He smiles slightly. Even when he looks happy, he still somehow has a dark edge to him. When we reach the couch, he sits down heavily, but he drags me into his lap. I yelp in surprise, his fingers gripping my sides.

“I’m going to find the men that did this to our wedding day,tesoro mio,” he whispers. “I’m going to make them suffer.”

“Don’t strain yourself.” I press my hands against his chest. “And don’t let me distract you.”

“You’re very much a distraction now.” His jaw tightens. I know what he’s thinking about. My hands behind my back, his cock sliding into my mouth. I struggle against the urge to grind myself against him.

“Get some sleep.” I extract myself from his grip. He releases me. “I ran into Donatella on the way down here. She said she’d make me some breakfast.”

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