5-My fiancée

[ SALVATORE’S POV ]

I wanted her to say she's not mine. To say she doesn't belong to me. But luck was on her side. She didn't.

I leaned down, my face so close to hers that our noses almost touched.

“I know everything about you. Iris. I know you hate the taste of champagne but like tea. I know you sneaked out to the garden at 2:00 AM when you couldn't sleep.

I watched her.  Letting my words and the meaning behind them sink into her body. 

 “And in the afternoon when you're bored. I know you have a birthmark shaped like a star on the small of your back.”

“From the trees. Through the lens of my camera. From the back of the cars you never noticed. “I confessed.

“I watched you grow from a girl into a woman. I watched men try to approach you at school, men I had to….. discouraged from ever speaking your name again.” I added and I watched her eyes grow into a realization.

“You’re insane,” She whispered.

“I am obsessed,” I corrected,

 My hand moved from her hair to her throat, my thumb resting over her thudding pulse. I wasn’t squeezing, but the threat was there.

“There is a difference. Insane men lose focus. But with you, I have never been more focused in my life. Every move I’ve made, every war I’ve fought, everybody I’ve buried, was to get to this moment. To this house,”

“Why not just ask for me ?” She cried .” If you wanted me so badly, why marry Sofia ?”

My eyes darkened, a flash of genuine rage crossing my features .” Because your father would never have given me his precious youngest daughter.

“If you know me like you truly claimed, you would know I am not his precious daughter. I have no interest in the kind of world and businesses he runs. My sister does. So if you 

Want a queen for your dynasty. It’s her.

She need not say that out loud cause I know. But wanting Sofia to be the queen of my empire. Never.

“He wants you for a political trade later. He thinks you’re a hidden ace. I said looking into her eyes.

My lips brushed against her ear. “ I didn’t play 

by Lorenzo Rossi’s rules. I took the bait so I could burn the whole trap down. By the time this wedding arrives, Sofia would be the least of my problems. And you. Will be in my arms. You belong to me, Iris. Every fiber in you is 

mine."

She tried to push me away, but her hand landed on my broad chest. A simple gesture that nearly makes me roll my eyes behind my head. A gesture that makes a big salva stands at attention. Wanting to be stroked and worshiped.

I grabbed her wrists, pinning them behind the armchair. Not to hurt her but to display that my strength was absolute.

My eyes moved to her lip, it was fresh and plump. And it makes me want to place mine on it. To know if it's succulent and as fresh as it looks.

“Can I kiss you? Iris ?” I asked, my mouth 

almost on hers.  

“Let me go, Salvatore.” She rasps.

“Not until you understand,” I said, my voice dropping to a low command.” You’re going to play the part of the dutiful sister. You are going to help Sofia plan her wedding. You are going to stand at the altar as her bridesmaid.

I won’t," she sobbed.” I won’t do what you just asked. You belong to my sister. To Sofia.

“You will .” I countered, my eyes burning into hers .” Because if you don’t, I’ll start taking things away from his family. First, your father’s business. Then, your sister’s reputation. And finally your freedom. Do you understand, Iris? You are mine. And you do as I say.

“You have been since the moment I saw you five years ago standing in the rain outside your school, looking like you wanted to set the world on fire, only that it’s me you light it on, and I can feel it burn, deep inside my veins.”

I released her wrist and stepped back.

“Go to sleep, little mouse,” I said, glancing towards the door .” And keep the locket. It looks better on you than it did in the box.

Without another word, I melted into the shadows of the library. 

As I walked out of the library, I could see Sofia from the corner of my eye, but I didn’t stop. Am not in the estate for me. She’s just a means to get what I desire. 

I went to the balcony, and the fresh breeze hit my face, calming my nerves. But not enough to calm the raging man in my trousers. Who wants nothing but Iris care and touch.

Iris, I muttered into the darkness of the night.

About twenty minutes later, I felt a presence behind me, and I did not need to turn to know who it was. Sofia. With her heels clicking loudly on her feet and her perfume smelling like an abandoned sacrifice.

Who in their right senses would wear heels at night?

“Why didn’t you tell me you’re here? I should have joined you, so we could talk about the alliance and our engagement.” She said, biting her lips as she looked at me, only if she knew how ridiculous she looked right now.

“Leave. Sofia, I want to be alone. I did not need you here?” I said not bothering to spare her another glance.

“You did not need to play hard. Salvatore. I know you want me, all men do, and I won't mind if you want me here, right now before the alliance is signed, you’re going to be mine anyways. So what do you say? She asked.

“Firstly I’m not any man, and secondly you have just three seconds to leave my sight or I will push you off the balcony. And watch you die in your own blood. Your father Lorenzo would not do shit about it. If I say you leave. You leave.”