CRAZY ITALIANS

SONIA’S POV

The sounds I hear once we’re parked in the garage are somewhat distant and yet loud. Where are they coming from?

“Come, Sonia. We don’t want to keep our guest waiting now, do we?”

“Our guest? What do you mean?” I ask, bewildered. The train of my gown was taken off hours earlier so I’m able to exit the car without help. Anthony holds the elevator door open for me and let’s go once I’m in, hitting the button to the 47th floor. I seize the opportunity to probe once more. “Anthony what’s going on?”

“It’s a tradition here to deflower your bride on the night of the wedding within earshot of everyone who cares to listen. After the sex, the sheet is taken for inspection.” He’s leaning on the railing, explaining like we’re talking about something totally normal.

I can feel the blood drain out of my face and I all of a sudden feel like I might faint. “What?” I mutter, shock written all over me. “Please tell me you’re joking?”

“No, Sonia.” He cocks his head to the side. “I’m not.”

There’s a trace of a smile on his face but I figure it’s not because he’s joking with me, no. That’s what the noise I overheard outside was. They were cheering’s. Really loud ones. I begin to wonder how many people are present at the penthouse.

“What will they be inspecting the sheet for?” I swallow.

“Your blood, of course,” He replies, looking the least unbothered. Before I can ask what we’re going to do, the elevator dings that we’ve arrived and begins to open to my horror.

Anthony stands to his full height. “Smile.” He says to with me with humor in his voice. My misfortune must amuse him a lot.

I manage to paste a smile on my face and we walk out of the elevator and into the foyer where more than half of Anthony’s guest – because they are definitely not mine – are hanging around, clapping and cheering at us as we pass.

“Tony, you lucky bastard. You went and got you a beautiful woman.” One actually howls out in a British accent.

“Take all the time you need. We are not going anywhere.” Another one yells and people laugh with him. I can only hope he was joking about the last part.

To my greatest horror, as we walk down the hall leading to the bedroom, voices follow us from behind. I look to Anthony but he doesn’t look bothered still. He only grins from amusement. I’m about to ask if they will be with us in the bedroom but my unvoiced question is answered when Anthony opens the door and shuts it behind us.

I go to lean against the wall, putting a distance from him as my breath picks up. I’m suddenly nervous.

“What now?” I whisper.

In reply, my eyes widen as he begins to undo his tie. Next, he takes off his jacket and places it on the bed. Turning to me, he voices a command that instantly makes butterflies dance in my tummy.

“Come here.”

“I – I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I mutter, shaking my head and looking away.

Anthony laughs that deep sounding laugh of his and I’m forced to look back at him where he’s standing. Only that this time, he isn’t standing by the bed anymore. He takes long strides to me and is in front of me just after three steps. My back sinks back into the wall in an effort to put more distance within us. With how close he’s standing, I fear he might discover how much his presence affects me. Or my body. Yes, it’s definitely my body.

“What are you hiding, Sonia?” He speaks into my ear and turns my face up to look at him. “It’s not like you’re a virgin anymore.”

His word is like a slap to my face and I flush red from anger and embarrassment. But there’s nothing I can do. He did promise to keep my secret and most importantly, I need his protection. “Since you know that, then what am I doing here in this room with you?” I hiss while still maintaining a hushed tone.

“Because I don’t want you to die,” He says, ignoring my temper. His admission throws me of balance for a second but then he goes and ruins everything with his next words. “You’re still of great use to me. I can’t have you dying on me.”

“Why did you marry me?”

“Again, it’s none of your business. But you will know in due time. Now moan for me.”

“No,” I breathe, stubbornly. “You’ll have to earn it.”

“Are you enjoying our time together, darling?” He coos at me.

“I won’t sleep with you.”

“I didn’t ask you too.” With that, he flips me over, turning me around so that my face is against the wall. He palms my abdomen, pushing my behind against him. I gasp when I feel the hard length of his crotch pushing behind me and not being able to help it, a long suppressed moan escapes me.

Instantly, we both hear a roar of laughter behind the bedroom door and more cheering. I gasp in shock that they were actually there the whole time, listening in on us. Anthony only chuckles as he unbuttons the sleeve of his pristine white shirt and walks back to the bed.

He unveils a pocket knife from his back pocket which makes me take a step back out of fear. But he’s not looking nor pointing the knife at me. Instead he stretches his left hand forward and slices his palm. Horrified once more, I watch as a pool of his blood pours onto the white sheet, darkening the material.

Immediately, I realize what he’s doing. He’s doing this so that when they come to inspect the sheet, they will think that the blood is from me.

I stand rooted in my spot, staring as he walks into the bathroom and comes out a minute later with a little bandage covering his wound.

“Do have a lovely night.” He tips his head just like he did on the first day we met, grabs his jacket and leaves with it. The cheering resumes again once he’s outside but luckily, they leave with Anthony.

I’m still standing in the same spot when the door opens a minute later and Chiara walks in. She blushes a deep crimson red when she sees me probably looking like I’d actually just had sex with some parts of my hair being out of place. She turns to the bed and pulls the sheet out, gently folding it after.

“I’ll be back soon to help you out of your dress, ma’am.” She smiles and leaves.

I don’t move after Chiara leaves. My thoughts are all over the place and I just wish there was someone I could talk to but even if there was someone, I did sign an NDA as well so that isn’t an option at all. But after what happened here tonight, I know one thing for sure. Mr. Anthony Romano, can and will do anything to get what he wants. The question is, what does he want?