Chapter 5

“No.” I cried out in a cracked voice, shaking my head as I did. “No, Silas wouldn’t do that.”

Cassian leaned against the dresser with an infuriating smile plastered across his face and, as if to rub it in, he added, “Well, he did.”

I eyed him.

“He was scared!” I threw back. “You kidnapped him, shoved money in his face, threatened him… obviously he wasn’t thinking clearly!”

Cassian’s brows rose. “So denial it is. We’re doing denial now.”

I launched the nearest pillow at him, but he caught it one-handed. “Get the fuck out.”

“Valentina…”

“FUORI DALLA MIA STANZA, BASTARDO!” I said in Italian, figuring he would understand that better. For a second, I thought he might say something infuriating but he didn’t.

Instead, he dropped the pillow back onto the bed and headed for the door, but then, at the threshold, he paused. “You can tell yourself whatever helps you sleep,” he said without turning around, “but Silas still drove away richer and without you. Before you act out tomorrow, remember that.”

The lock clicked shut behind him.

I did the most cliché thing possible, I sank to my knees and cried through the night. This was a nightmare, and I already knew it was only the beginning.

Two days passed. Maybe three. Time inside the Vitale estate moved like a sick joke.

Not only had I lost my voice but I had stopped pretending this was temporary and realized no one was coming for me… This was my life now, the caged bride of Cassian Vitale, Il mio nemico.

They gave me space to process, but Cassian still visited. He brought meals I barely touched and updates I never asked for… Silas had left Boston, my mother was “occupied,” that was why she hadn’t called. Every sentence was another brick sealing me in.

By the afternoon of what I thought was the third day, I was sitting curled by the window, staring at freedom I couldn’t reach even when Massimo entered.

How was it legal for one man to look like that while actively ruining lives?

He wore a black dress shirt tucked into tailored slacks, no jacket, the top two buttons undone just enough to reveal a glimpse of his tanned skin.

My eyes didn’t stop as I gave him a slow once-over, heavens knew how much I hated how easily my body remembered him but I hated the heat that curled low in my stomach the second our gazes locked more.

Because suddenly I was younger again… hiding behind pillars at Vitale dinners and blushing when he said my name… or worse imagining those large hands in places they had no business being.

Mortification crawled up my spine.

Wonderful.

As if imprisonment wasn’t enough, my teenage hormonal stupidity had apparently survived the years.

Massimo did not speak and simply looked at me.

And after what seemed like a long while I finally broke the silence, “What do you wnat?”

His gaze moved over the wrinkled shirt I had slept in, the tangled hair, the bare feet… I didn’t have any reason to clean up nice as a captive.

Then he said, “I hear you’ve been difficult.”

I laughed bitterly. “Your son abducted me so pardon me if I’m not trying to be the perfect guest.”

Your son… Something ugly twisted in my chest at those words because hearing Cassian labeled that way forced a truth I had been carefully stepping around, this delicious meal standing in front of me was off limits in every conceivable universe.

Massimo’s expression did not change she he replied, “And yet, I still expect civility.”

“Civility?” I stared at him. “I’m locked in a room! Perché tuo figlio ha bisogno di una fica da scoparsi? Fucking weirdos!”

“You are being protected.”

“I am being imprisoned.”

His voice lowered. “Semantics.”

I pushed to my feet. “You and Cassian drag me here, hold my fiancé hostage, tell me I’m being sold into marriage and somehow I’m the one making things difficult?”

Massimo folded his hands behind his back unmoving before he said, “Yes.”

The sheer audacity.

He took two steps closer to me, enough for his cologne to hit me… dark cedar and something else I just couldn’t tell, “I expect you to be on best behavior from this point forward, Valentina.”

I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze “And if I don’t?”

His gaze sharpened as he said, “Then just know you will be punished accordingly.”

Rather than fear, I felt heat rushed to my face… it was clear that his threat of punishment certainly didn’t match the idea I had in mind, it thrilled me instead.

“You can’t threaten me into submission.” I drawled.

Massimo’s eyes dipped briefly to my mouth before returning to mine or maybe it was my imagination but he threw back. “Watch me.”

This man was going to be the death of my sanity.

A wild, reckless thought slammed into me… If they wanted to trap me in this world standing there like sin and power and every filthy fantasy I had ever had then maybe I should stop fighting with words and start fighting with the only weapon I still had control over, my body.

He didn't move as I closed the gap between us.

“You talk about punishment like it’s something I should fear,” I murmured, my voice lower and siggestive. “But what if I like the idea of your hands on me, Massimo?”

His jaw flexed and I smirked… a tiny crack in the marble, that was enough encouragement.

I let my gaze linger on his mouth before drifting lower, tracing down the column of his throat before settling on the open collar of his shirt.

“You can pretend you only had me kidnapped for your son,” I continued softly, “but we both know you’re already imagining what it would feel like if I got on my knees… Daddy”

His hand shot out, fingers closing around my wrist before I could make contact.

“Careful, ragazzina,” he said, his voice rough. “You’re playing a game you won’t win!”

Now I was more determined to prove myself and kill two birds with this fucking stone. First I seduce my way out here and bonus point, I satisfy my craving as I did.

“I’m not your ragazzina anymore, Massimo.” I pressed closer, fighting to keep my breathing under control. “You’re underestimating me, mio diavolo,” I whispered, rising onto my toes so my lips almost grazed the edge of his jaw.

“You keep telling yourself I’m still that little girl… that you can threaten me and walk away unaffected.”

I felt him inhale.

“But look at you,” I breathed. “You’re holding me like you’re two seconds from shoving me against the wall and proving just how wrong that theory is.”

I pulled away and dragged my nails lightly down the front of his shirt. “Wouldn’t you want to fuck me in place of your son?” I said with a pout.

Massimo’s free hand suddenly fisted in the fabric at my waist, yanking me fully against him. A gasp escaped my throat as the unmistakable thickness of his cock pressed hard against my lower stomach.

A sound rumbled in his chest.

“You think this is clever?” he growled against my temple. “Throwing yourself at me to gain the upper hand?”

I should have stopped and maybe given us enough space but I could barely think… not when I could feel him so, I rolled my hips once and a smirk crossed my cheeks as I felt him twitch hard against me.

“The second you let this continue, Massimo and stop fighting how much you want to ruin me…” I tilted my head back so he could see the challenge in my eyes. “I stop being the one trapped.”

His grip on my waist turned tighter and for a second I thought he might actually kiss me or throw me on the bed. Or maybe both but he released me so abruptly I staggered.

“Careful what you wish for, Vivienne Because I don’t play games I intend to lose.” With that he turned and walked out, the lock clicking softly behind him.

Wait? Was that a dare? I felt a rush of excitement flow through my spine at the thought.

Oh bring it on, Don Massimo. I have no intention of losing either.

This was going to be fun!