All Chapters of Marked By Him: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

GIOVANNI POVArya's back was still against the wall, her chest heaving with each breath. Rage filled my veins, hot and possessive and all-consuming."You think you're clever?" I seethed, my gaze traveling down to her dress, lingering on the exposed skin of her chest before returning to her face. "You think you can come to my dinner table dressed like that, looking like that, and I won't-"I stopped himself, my jaw clenching so hard I thought it might crack."You belong to me now," I whispered. "Every part of you. And when you parade yourself in front of other men like you're some kind of prize to be won, you're sending a message that you need to be reminded who you belong to.She whimpered and I couldn’t help myself. My hand trailed down the slit of her dress, my fingers brushing against the bare skin of her inner thigh, and I watched the way her eyes widened and her breathing became shallow and uneven."You're mine," I whispered, my fingers sliding higher, inching towards her hips..

I wouldn't do it.The thought of giving myself to Giovanni made my skin crawl and my stomach churn in equal measure. I would literally, genuinely rather die than have him inside me, claiming me like I was just another thing he owned.I ran to my room, my heart pounding, and my breath coming in short, panicked gasps. The moment I was inside, I slammed the door and locked it, then dragged the heavy wooden dresser across the floor until it blocked the entrance completely.My hands were shaking.I sat on the edge of the bed, trying to breathe, but my mind was a chaotic mess.I couldn't call anyone so even if I could get to a phone, I couldn't say anything because he had ears everywhere and the consequences would be…Christabel.The thought sent me spiraling into a fresh wave of panic. I buried my face in my hands, hating the dilemma I’d found myself in. A knock on the door made my head snap up."Miss Arya?" Claire's voice was cheerful. I didn't answer. I sat frozen on the bed, listenin

I sat rigidly on the edge of an ornate sofa in the living room, my fingers wrapped around the small bird necklace Marco had given me. The metal was warm from my skin, and I pressed it against my chest like a talisman, like it could somehow protect me from what was coming.Across the room, Giovanni lounged in a leather chair with an iPad, scrolling through something with the casual disinterest of a man who had nothing but time. Occasionally, his dark eyes would flick toward me, and every time they did, my stomach twisted into knots.Around them, wedding dress designers flitted about like exotic birds, their hands gesturing dramatically.Ten dresses hung on a pristine white rack, each one more elaborate than the last. This was it. I was actually going to marry him."Is something wrong?" Claire asked softly, appearing beside me with two glasses of water."No," I lied, forcing a tight smile. "Just nervous."It was more than nervous, but I lost the will to fight anymore.A tall man with

I woke up with a sharp pain radiating through my neck.I groaned, my hand flying to the stiff muscle, and slowly opened my eyes to find myself still perched on the window seat. I had fallen asleep here last night, curled up against the glass, watching the darkness and wishing I could disappear into it.Brilliant, I thought bitterly, rubbing at the crick in my neck. Just brilliant.I wiped at my eyes, feeling the crusty remnants of dried tears on my cheeks. I looked out the window at the grey morning light filtering through the clouds and sighed.Another day in this godforsaken place.I pushed myself up to stand, and immediately cursed as a hot feeling shot down my left leg. "Damn it," I hissed, bending down to massage the tense muscle. "Stupid window. Stupid house. Stupid Giovanni and his stupid-"A knock on the door interrupted my muttered tirade."Come in," I called out, still rubbing my leg.The door opened, and Claire stepped inside, followed by three other maids I didn't recogn

MARCO’S POVThe meeting room was thick with tension before anyone even spoke.I sat beside Robert at the long table, watching as the Delgado family's head capo, a man named Salvatore with silver streaking through his dark hair and eyes like chips of obsidian, settled into his chair across from them. His men flanked him on either side, their hands resting too close to their weapons.Robert's jaw was already tight with barely concealed irritation."I was under the impression," Robert said coldly, "that the patriarch would be joining us for such an important discussion."Salvatore smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "My words are the patriarch's words. You have my assurance that anything discussed here will be conveyed directly to him."Robert scoffed, his disgust evident. "Convenient."I could see this spiraling before it even began. I leaned forward, drawing attention away from Robert's bruised ego."Gentlemen," I said smoothly, "let's focus on the business at hand.”Salvatore huffed