Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Rosalie smiled when she was called down to dinner.

She sat right beside Roman, her action even surprised Roman and the rest of the family.

Roman’s mother watched her in suspicion. 

Roman’s own mother, a formidable woman who had reigned over the Moretti household for decades, watched Rosalie with a mixture of curiosity and scepticism. Donna Emilia, a woman whose word carried the weight of law within the family, was known for her sharp wit and even sharper judgment. She saw through Rosalie's carefully constructed façade, recognizing the intelligence lurking beneath the surface, a spark of rebellion that echoed her own youth. However, Emilia saw this as something that needed to be controlled rather than something to be feared.

Their interactions were tense, subtle skirmishes fought with sharp words and carefully veiled challenges. Rosalie’s silence and the way she watched everyone around the dinner table her seemingly innocent façade, she didn’t fall for it.

This suspicion, this growing unease, was fuelled by her son’s increasingly intense fascination with Rosalie. She could see it in the way Rosalie eyed her son, it was a level of curiosity. There was no fear at all in her gaze, she didn’t know if she should take her hat off to the girl or fear her. 

No woman has ever looked at her son the way Rosalie did. They either looked at Roman with lust or fear. Never genuine curiosity. 

Rosalie had everyone around her fooled. The smile on her face might seem innocent but this very smile had her family trembling in fear.

Elena believed the entire Bianchi family belonged to her. She couldn’t be more wrong. If Elena tried to test her again, she would help her cousin Ari take the entire family for himself. 

Ari was supposed to be her guard but Rosalie used him as a front man for her ‘work’ the man worked for her and got paid handsomely for it.

 

Rosalie cuts into her steak and taking a bite she smiles and groans out. “Oh the chef outdid herself tonight. The steak is perfect...” 

Everyone at the table eyes her. They weren’t used to her speaking at the table. They weren’t sure what to expect.

Roman ignored her and continued eating. 

He stopped when he realized his uncle glaring at him. 

Where Roman was pristine, collected, and elegant, Salvatore was brute chaos. His wide shoulders hunched over the table, his collar gaping. His hair flopped over his forehead, and he pushed it back as he ate. 

Roman hated to admit it but his uncle got to where he was because of schemes and skill. He was a massive man and always got his way. As younger brother, he always wanted his brother’s position and would do anything to get to the top, even if it meant killing his own nephew. 

“What is it uncle?” he asks. Picking up his glass of wine. 

“Roman you better teach that wife of yours etiquette. How could she just make those noises at the dinner table...” Salvatore Moretti scoffs. 

Roman tilts his head. “She wasn’t wrong the chef outdid herself.” he says with a wide smile. “I should be congratulating you, i heard you are to wed uncle...” Roman smile widens. 

Rosalie looks at Salvatore with interest. “Oh aren’t you a little too old to get married now?” she asks. 

Roman nearly spits out his wine in surprise. 

Roman’s mother Emelia wasn’t any better she scoffed loudly. She was beginning to like this daughter-in-law of hers.

Salvatore glared at Rosalie. He had planned to kill the girl as soon as he was in control. He’d make her suffer. Suffer in a way she’d be begging him for forgiveness. He looked at his nephew. He wondered how he knew of his plans. He hasn’t told a soul about the agreement. The agreement was in place for almost two years now. 

Costa was his only way of getting the Moretti family. He wasn’t going to let this chit thwart his plans.

“It was love at first sight...” Salvatore said with a tight smile. 

“For you maybe...” Rosalie drawled. 

Roman began to feel uncomfortable. He began sweating. His lips pale first. His eyes reddened. 

Rosalie watched as the blend began to take effect. It was only mild and it was meant to warn him. 

She didn’t want him looking into her anymore. She wanted him to learn his lesson. 

Roman realized something was wrong with what he ate. He eyed everyone else at the table and they showed no signs of discomfort so it was only his food.

“Excuse me I’ve got work to do...” he says getting up from the table and rushing to his bedroom. 

Once he was in his bedroom he collapsed onto his bed. 

His stomach felt like someone was ripping his insides out. It felt like his chest was in pain as well. He fell off his bed onto the floor. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t stand. He was in so much pain. 

All he could think about was his uncle was finally getting his wish. He was killing him. He was going to get everything he’s ever wanted and that was his death.

What would happen to his parents and Rosalie? 

He fought the pain and stood, he made his way to the bathroom. He found a note. 

{Look for me again and I will kill you don’t say I didn’t warn you Roman. 

Love Nightshade...}

He eyed it suddenly laughing out. The pain he felt was a fucking warning? A warning to stop looking? 

She got into his house and no one noticed? She was in and out and he was chasing some ghost? How the hell did she get into his compound when it’s trailing with guards. His trusted men. 

Was his uncle in on this? 

No... 

His uncle didn’t act any differently at dinner. 

His wife on the other hand. She was acting suspiciously. 

But he knew she wasn’t Nightshade.

He couldn’t believe it he played right into her hand. He was looking for her all over and she knew he was looking. She was probably laughing her ass off at how dumb he looked.