Chapter 4

LUCA

I tried my best to ignore the woman next to me, but my tactics only worked for two minutes. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t concentrate without something about her filtering into my thoughts.

She was easily the sexiest woman I had ever met.

She wasn’t the typical model beauty standard. Far from it.

Elena Ricci… well, Elena De Santis now… was every inch a woman.

Her hair was thick and wavy, the deep, rich chestnut brown highlighted perfectly against her skin. From the first day I had set eyes on her, all I had wanted to do was wrap my fingers around that hair and pull. Fuck…

The thought of her on all fours, my hand fisted in her hair, pulling it back while I did unimaginable things to her, made me shudder lightly.

Her skin… oh, how I wanted to taste every inch.

Elena didn’t know what she had signed up for.

Sure, I wanted her to hate me. I didn’t believe in love. Not ever.

Besides, if she found out the truth… Nah, I wasn’t going to go there.

But she was going to do my bidding.

I hated women, didn’t see them as more than what I knew they were meant for. Pleasure. And pleasure was exactly what I was going to get from my new wife.

The buzz of my phone dragged me out of my thoughts.

I almost hissed when I saw who it was, but business was business.

"Remember our agreement, De Santis. I have done my part, so it's now time to do yours."

I smirked, typing a reply.

"I don't go back on my word, Alberto."

I definitely didn’t. The war was going to take a turn tonight. I could only hope it was for the better.

Elena made a sound beside me, drawing my gaze to her.

The way the dim light highlighted her lips was enough to make me release a shaky breath.

How the hell could she have such an effect on me?

I hadn’t even really touched her yet.

I squeezed my eyes shut and went back to my tablet, forcing myself to immerse in business.

ELENA

The De Santis estate was a fortress of luxury and power, standing atop a secluded hill overlooking the city. I wasn't going to pretend like the view from up here wasn’t going to be spectacular, to say the least.

It reminded me so much of the house I had grown up in. Although that was a long time ago, and it was nowhere near as big or as secluded as this one.

A fortress.

A very befitting word to describe the building in front of us. Just how many decades ago was the house built? Four? Five? Ten?

The moment the car rolled through the grand iron gates, I felt the weight of my confinement settle over me like chains. Chains I knew would be almost impossible to break free from. Almost.

I was trapped.

Luca said nothing, just nodding to the driver, then opening the door to his side and getting out. Still without a word, he rounded the car and waited just a few steps away as the driver came around to open the door for me.

I swallowed, my heart beginning to race a bit as I gathered the skirts of my dress and stepped down from the vehicle to join the man who was now my husband.

Luca led me inside, his presence suffocating as we walked through the lavish halls. Every ornate chandelier, every expensive painting, every marble floor tile spoke of his wealth and ruthlessness.

And it was completely devoid of warmth, just like the owner, who silently led the way, his shoulders stiff with pride and arrogance.

The house was beautiful, yet to me, it was nothing more than a house. It could never be a home.

I hadn’t realized I had stopped mid-stride to look at a painting just to my side until I heard someone clear their throat, causing me to jump slightly and continue walking.

The master bedroom was as extravagant as the rest of the mansion, with a massive four-poster bed that sent a chill down my spine. Luca turned to me, his gaze unreadable as he studied my expression.

Was this where I was going to sleep? Or rather, were the two of us going to sleep here? Alone?

The thought of us sharing that bed sent mixed feelings through me.

“You’re terrified,” he said, amusement lacing his tone. There was a slight tilt to his lips. So slight you could almost miss it if you weren’t looking.

“I’m disgusted.” I raised a defiant chin toward him, not wanting him to see how affected I was becoming by the minute. And I was… well… terrified.

But disgust…?

His smirk widened, infuriating me even more. “Keep telling yourself that.” The confidence in his tone needed to be studied.

Luca stepped toward me, looking too big in the room, which suddenly seemed too small for the two of us to be alone in.

I took a step back, clearing my throat. “Where would I sleep tonight? And where are my things?” As I asked, I took a quick glance around, hoping my things weren’t in the room with us.

Such a big man sharing a bed with me was too dangerous, and I knew it.

Hopefully, in this massive house, there were plenty of other rooms I could sleep in. Heck, I would not hesitate to take the one in another wing. The farthest from him.

Luca stepped closer again. “What? Are you afraid to sleep here? You think I’d pounce on you like a freaking lion?” His face was void of expression, but the mocking tone was still there.

I chose not to be fazed. “No, I merely think we would not be able to tolerate each other’s presence, so space would be advised.” I hoped I sounded believable.

Luca moved closer again, this time forcing me into a corner with nowhere to go, unless I had the magic ability to pass through him. “And who says we wouldn’t be able to tolerate each other?” He stopped just a hair’s breadth away from me, radiating warmth. His scent found its way into my nostrils, and I couldn't, for the life of me, not like it. “There are so many other things we could do on this bed that would be very tolerable, don’t you think?”

Red, hot like fire, made its way from my cheeks to my neck as I read his meaning instantly.

The fleeting image that consumed my head for a short while before I slammed it shut almost sent me to my knees.

I was no pro, but I wasn’t innocent either.

And the image Luca was projecting…

My teeth clenched, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, I turned to the side, managing to escape without touching him, and walked toward the windows, needing distance. Needing air.

“You don’t have to sleep in my bed tonight,” he said suddenly, making me freeze. “I’m not a monster, Elena. But don’t test my patience.” His tone, which was always cold, even when he had just proposed something intimate, grew colder.

I slowly turned back to him, wary. “And what does that mean?”

“It means,” he stepped closer again, his voice dropping into something dark and commanding.

What was it with this man and invading my personal space? Couldn’t he take a hint from my fleeing every damn time?

I said nothing and just let him speak.

“That while I may grant you mercy tonight, I expect obedience. You may hate me, but you will respect me.”

That sounded like a threat. And I was, in fact, scared, because I knew he meant every damn word he said.

But why was my body having a slightly different reaction to his words than I would have expected?

My nails dug into my palms. My defiance was a fire inside me, but I knew better than to provoke a man like Luca carelessly.

“See you later, princess.”

And then he was out of the room, shutting the door and taking his iciness with him.

But something remained. His scent. And a bit of his presence.

And it bugged the hell out of me.

The man was playing a game. A game I could indulge in, but I knew better than to do so.

Besides, at least he gave me an out tonight. I would use it to the fullest.

After today's events, I needed rest. Needed to finally let everything that had happened sink in.

A thought made its way into my head.

Donavan had been at my wedding. Why? And how had my father let him in, especially with how secure the place was?

Also… who on earth had a wedding without a reception?

There was only one answer.

Luca De Santis.