Page 215 of Legacy
“Don’t insult me, Adriana. Not right now.”
Her brow furrows, her eyes flashing.
“I’m not. I don’t answer his calls because the last time I did he handed me over to you.”
No heat. Just hurt. Just the echo of a wound I carved open.
I exhale slowly, jaw flexing. “You make it sound like I didn’t bleed for this too.”
She laughs, bitter and breathless. “Did you? Because from where I’m standing, you traded for me. You bartered ports and power and walked away with a wife.”
I flinch.
Because she’s not wrong.
I orchestrated it. Wanted her so badly I would have burned kingdoms to ash. Northeastern access, the ruby she’s been chasing—willing to give her everything she cared about except the one thing that mattered.
Her choice.
I told myself it was for love.
But now, watching the way her eyes shine, not with tears, but rage—I wonder if it was just desperation wearing devotion like a disguise.
“You think I gave up that territory like it meant nothing?” I grit out. “I gave Luciano a piece of my empire because I thought you’d come willingly.”
She scoffs. “I didn’t. I said no.”
Those three words gut me.
“And now?” I ask, not sure if I even want the answer.
She rolls those gorgeous eyes.
“I chose the loft and starting over andyouAngelo,” she says shaking her head. “What I did not choose, is pointless accusations.Askme, don’t accuse me.”
“You’re right,” I admit, the words scraping raw from my throat.. “But I won’t have my wife with other men.”
She looks at me like I’ve just said the dumbest thing she’s ever heard.
“Okay,Don Amato.”
“I’m serious Adriana,” I say closing the distance between us. She doesn’t back away, but her arms fold across her chest.
My hands fist at my sides. Instead of touching her. “I can’t and Iwon’tlose you again.”
Her eyes trail down my body, and it sends a shiver up my spine.
“Your jealousy… I like it, but only in the way you get that possessive look in your eye.”
“But, the accusations don’t work with me. That can’t happen again, or youwilllose me.”
I smirk. “You like me possessing you,cara mia?”
She shakes her head, her cheeks turning her namesake shade.
“I didn’t say that.”
I shrug, “Close enough.”
