Chapter Ten

~VIOLET POV~

“You are my wife now, and I don't need to sabotage you.” he said his voice low as he unbuttoned his shirt like I wasn’t in the room, and pulled out another from the wardrobe.

“But, you will have to do your part properly, go through the file, your time is already counting.” he continued walking into the bathroom.

“Fuck you!” I muttered under my voice.

“ It would be my pleasure, but I will pass princess, goodnight.” he said from the bathroom.

I grabbed the extra pillow from the bed and placed it in the middle smoothing it down with my palm.

When he came back out of the bathroom, I was already on my side, arms crossed, eyes on the ceiling.

“What is that?” He asked looking at the pillow.

“A border.” I said. “Cross it and lose a hand.”

He looked at it for a long moment, then without emotion “ I have no intention of touching you.” he said

Then he walked to his side of the bed, pulled back the duvet and got in without a word.

“Good.” I replied

He reached over to his side of the bed and turned off the light.

“Sleep.” He said from the darkness. “ you have work tomorrow.”

“Choke.” I whispered

But he didn't respond.

***

I was already awake before dawn, rereading the files Aleksei gave me, if I wanted to win this, I needed ideas on how to deal with this situation but one name has found a way to sneak into one of my life dilemma.

Marshall Marcelo.

I have been finding way to bypass that name but it doesn’t seem to be working . Did Aleksei know about Marshall before giving me this file? Or was it just a coincidence that the one man I have hidden from for years just pops out on a file?

A knock at the door, interrupted my peace and woke the devil beside me.

Aleksei shifted behind me.

“Enter.” He called out, his voice carrying that same authority even half asleep as it did when fully awake.

Annoying.

One of the butlers stepped in with his eyes staring forward.

“Mr. Carmene, your father requests your presence at breakfast. He also wanted me to inform you that the Greco family will be joining this morning.”

My hand stilled on the file, Dimitri wasn’t bluffing about it? And even if it was offered what was my father and brother doing here?

I heard Aleksei exhale slowly behind me.

“Tell him we will be down.”

The butler left immediately

I stood up and dropped the file on the nightstand, “Great!” I thought, Aleksei stood up as well walking to his wardrobe.

“Try not to embarrass me at breakfast.” Aleksei said, “ James will deliver a few clothes he shopped according to your style in a few minutes.

I turned and looked at him.

“Want a thank you?” I said. “Don’t expect any”

He walked into the bathroom while I waited for James to bring the new outfit he is meant to deliver.

***

I walked into breakfast in an all black outfit, thanks to Aleksei assistant who thought black was according to my liking.

Papa was already seated next to Nikolai like they were two old school best friends and not two men who had been circling each other for years.

Marco was sitting beside Papa, He looked up when I walked in and he already had that stupid smirk on his face before I even pulled out my chair.

Dmitri slid in next to me immediately. “Good morning, you look like you survived.” He whispered.

“Why wouldn’t I? Your brother is still alive.” I said with a forced smile.

“Violet.” Papa said from across the table.“You look well.”

I picked up my coffee. “Papa.”

That is all he is getting from me this morning, i don’t care how he feels about it.

“A beautiful morning for the family.” Nikolai said, spreading his hands like a man who had orchestrated all of this and was pleased with himself.

The room was silent with everyone serving themselves, Marco reached for the croissant basket close to my plate and let his eyes drag over me slowly. “I have to say, married life looks a little rough on you, sister.” He said. “Aleksei keeping you up all night?”

I set my coffee down very carefully, it's barely 24 hours that I have been married and he still finds a way to be stupid.

“ Although, I expect you to look a little more obedient by now, what do you think papa?” Marco continued.

“Marco.” Papa said.

“I’m just saying—”

“ Marco!” papa snapped this time

“No, let him. The only thing rough about last night,” I said, “Is knowing that papa left his business in the hands of a man like you, now I'm wondering whose credits you are going to be stealing soon. Didn't expect your brain to grow in under 24 hrs or less, but feel free to talk.”

Marco’s eyes darkened.

“You want to talk about work?” He leaned forward. “You don’t have any shares left to work with, Violet. Remember?”

“Oh yes! And remember who gave my shares out? Oh! Mine it's you, my stupid brother.” I said. "Couldn't wait to get rid of me?”

“Enough!” Aleksei snapped

Everyone turned to him. “We are here to eat breakfast, not fight. You can save your family feud for later.”

Marco snorted. “ Really like the sound of authority you have, now I’m sure you can handle my sister.”

“ just like you handled my shares, by stealing my signature. Dumb boy.” I said

Dmitri coughs into his napkin as he sip his coffee.

“ I said it enough!” Aleksei repeated, glaring at me.

“ Don’t you dare scold me like a child.” I snapped at him

“ Violet!” Papa called out “ that’s not how to speak to your husband!”

But I ignored him, not ready to even stand having a conversation with the man who put me in this situation. I pick up my phone and stood up to leave.

“No one leaves the table, until we are all done, if you don’t respect anyone’s authority mine will be respected.” Nikolai said

I took my seat back, I don’t like the carmene but I respect Nikolai.

“ How was the drive here?” Nikolai asked papa “ hope it wasn’t too stressful?”

Papa eyes were on me while I did everything I had to seat through this damn breakfast.

“ it was splendid! Now that we are officially in laws we have to start planning our next business move against the Morrettis.” Papa said smiling at Nikolai who shakes his hands and laughs in agreement.

Typical Leonardo, the only thing he cares about is more money in his purse.

“ How was your night, violet.” Nikolai asked

“As great as I expected it to be.” I said.

“ I’m glad you and my son are finally getting an understanding with…”

“ Nikolai, may I have a private conversation with my daughter?” Papa interrupted

“ Sure!” Nikolai said

Aleksei turned to me and quickly turned his face away, focusing on his food while Marco smiled like a Cheshire Cat.

“ the butler will show you to my office.” Nikolai continued.

“ Anders!” Nikolai called out

And the butler stood in front of Nikolai ready to show papa the office, every part of me didn’t want to leave this table but I have loads of questions to ask papa.

We walked into the office and he closed the door, waiting for a few moments so the butler is out of ear shot. Then papa spoke

“ How was your night with him?” Papa asked his brow raised.

I let out a slow breath, trying to understand his questions.

“ Will I get an heir in the next nine months violet? Don’t make me look stupid with my questions.” Papa snapped

“ An heir? That's the first question you think of asking your daughter?” I said sharply. “ You didn’t care to know how I am faring but want to know about my wedding night? An heir really… just wow!” I said my hands folded by my side.

“What else should I ask, huh? You know an heir is what seals the alliance and you know what is at stake...”

“What alliance papa? What stake? The very one that you forced me into? You watched Marco announce my shares at that wedding and not once did you revoke it, you didn’t even care that I didn’t sign…” I snapped at him

Papa's expression darkened and he pointed a finger at me “Everything I did is for you!” Papa snapped

“how is giving my shares out for me, tell me papa?” I said “ All you ever do is for you never for me, I do not want to ever see you again and I hope Marco destroys every single part of your company you built.” I said stepping back from him and walking out of the office.

“ Violet !” Papa called but I just shut the door on his face.

The hallway was silent and I tried to catch my breath. I hated how much papa could unravel me and make me lose control but this is the end, he is ...

“ Are you good?”

I turned sharply just to see Aleksei a few steps away from me “What now? Now you're spying on me?!” I snapped at him

He stood a few steps closer to me but I stepped back

“What are you even doing here?” I asked

“because I know you don’t care enough to see if my father was hurting me.”I said

“I heard something and just needed to confirm. You didn’t tell me you knew Marshall Marcelo.” He said

I froze.