Page 73 of Merciless Queen
“Ciao, mia farfalla. This is a surprise.”
A surprise indeed. I’d never come out here. Since Mama passed, he brought random women here and disgraced the place she loved. I knew he was hurt, but shit, there had to be better ways of doing this without drawing in liquor and women.
“Yes, it is. I wanted to talk to you about Harlow.”
“Are you getting a divorce?”
“No. We are staying married even after Vincenzo is dead.”
“Caterina,ti ho detto a cosa porta l'amore. Sarà un disastro.”I told you what love will lead to. It will end in disaster.
I knew it would lead to this, but I refused to allow him to make me feel guilty about how I felt. “No, Papa, love is beautiful. You know how it feels to be truly and madly in love. It is not a weakness. I miss Mama every damn day, too, but I don’t let it fuel my life. I am going to kill Vincenzo, but I am going to love and live my fucking life.”
“Caterina—”
“You called Mama your angel. Your shining light in the darkness. Well, that’s Harlow. I love her. I tried to distance myself, but her pull was strong. Her laugh is intoxicating. Her strength is admirable. I love her, Papa, and I refuse to let you or anyone else make me feel guilty because of it.”
“È davvero il tuo angelo?”Is she truly your angel?I nodded. “Then never let her go. I am sorry for how I’ve been. Losing your mama has been devastating.”
“I know, Papa.” He pulled me into a tight embrace. “Don’t ruin Mama’s memory by using alcohol and women to cope with a broken heart. I know you love Serena, and that maddening woman loves you, too. So don’t let the past stop you. Mama would want you to be happy.”
“Yes, yes, she would. I love you, Caterina. I am sorry it took me years to realize anything.”
“I love you, too, Papa. Now I need to go get ready for my date. Be at the mansion at eight. Take Serena out and ravish the woman.”
Twenty minutes later, I was back home. Before going to see my wife, I made a pit stop at Serena’s room. I allowed her to stay in my home simply because I needed her on call with Harlow, Elizabeth, and any other girl that we had in the house.I knew where she was when she was here. I found a blue dress that would flatter her and drive my father insane. I still didn’t understand why I was playing matchmaker when this woman infuriated me to the point of insanity, but I wanted to see my father happy once more.
I knocked on her bedroom door, and she opened it with her fluffy pink robe wrapped around her body. “Perfect, you showered. Put this on and be ready at eight.”
“Why?”
“Because I knocked some sense into my father and he will be here at eight to take you on a date. Eat. Drink. Ride him like a damn pony. You both need it.” Her cheeks turned bright red. “Don’t question it. Just do it. You know you want to.”
“Thank you, Cat.”
“Thank Harlow. She made me realize love isn’t horrible.”
She smiled, shutting her door gently, and I turned to go to my own bedroom to get ready to see my wife. To think months ago I wanted to kill her, and now, I would give my life to see her happy. I would’ve burned the world if it meant keeping her safe. And I would have Vincenzo’s head on a stake for killing her mother, my mother, and hurting the beautiful woman I loved.
Everyone would pay for hurting her.
After a quick shower, I slipped into a pair of tight black sailor pants and walked to my jewelry cabinet. Tonight was the perfect chance to wear a certain piece of jewelry I hadn't worn in a while. It was a rhinestone bra chain that sat under my breasts with three chains dangling from the middle about two inches down. It made every outfit ten times hotter, and I knew it would make Harlow melt. Once I was comfortable with the position of the chain, I slipped on my favorite blood red button down, leaving it unbuttoned past the chain. Everyone’s eyes would be on me, but I would only have eyes for my wife.
There was a knock on the door, and Spencer came inside my room. She was dressed for comfort, which meant she'd be in Luca and Lizzy’s room with them tonight. “Damn, you look hot. Think your wife will be mad if I get a taste?”
“I don’t want to share,” came a soft voice behind Spencer. We both looked at Harlow and my heart skipped a beat.
She looked breathtaking.
Her dark hair was curled in soft waves cascading down her back with gold butterfly clips scattered throughout. That was Elizabeth’s handiwork. Her makeup was light and glowy, making her brown eyes shine. And that dress? Fuck me. We might not have been leaving this house tonight. The short, ruched dress hugged her body like a second skin. The red color was identical to my shirt. The neckline dipped, showing more cleavage than she normally did, but fuck, it made my mouth water. This woman was trying to kill me. Before the night was over, I’d kick everyone out of the restaurant so I could remove her panties and feast.
I lied earlier. All eyes would be onHarlowand her beauty, which meant I would have to kill someone tonight.
“Damn, I lied. Can I have a taste of your hot ass wife? You can watch.”
I glared at Spencer. I knew she was just joking, but I didn’t share. “Get out.”
“Cooome onnnn,” she whined.
