It Kills Me: A Forbidden Dark Romance のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

PROLOGUESCARLETTAfter a long, dark winter, spring arrived. When I opened my windows that morning and saw the cloudless blue sky, I knew the warmer season I craved had arrived. Instead of wearing a sweater and jeans, I opted for a springtime dress. It was a little premature for that, but I didn’t care.I left my apartment and drove down the quiet streets to my father’s home, a large estate that took up an entire corner of the block. It was one of the few properties that had spacious outdoor terraces, shielded by high gates with fine greenery. I pulled up to the gate, and the guards let me pass without a single glance.It was the place where I’d grown up, the historic Duomo in sight, the markets just blocks away, the streets heavy with the past that was still a part of our present. I walked by the large fountain in the center of the courtyard, the shadows long across the ground because the sun was already setting when it had only risen to its full height hours ago.I entered the house

“My family classifies me as the black sheep, but they refuse to admit how corrupt everyone and everything is. It’s my job to show them.”My father gave a nod before he delved into the nitty-gritty of their business relationship, all the specifics of production and shipping. Dinner was served, starting with a salad, moving on to a soup, and then the main course, which was a steak with greens and potatoes. They got into the thick of it, going back and forth as they constructed the terms and conditions of this operation.My eyes were down most of the time, but I listened to every word. Whenever I lifted my gaze to look at the man across the table, I felt the heat flush through me again. Whenever that happened, his gaze shifted to me…like he knew.My eyes darted away as quickly as possible, trying to hide my stare.The wine was exchanged for scotch, and then the cigars emerged. I excused myself from both vices and stuck to my wine and the cheese board that was brought out for dessert, whi

I knocked on the open door to his study.He sat behind the desk, in jeans and a t-shirt, scribbling something quickly on a paper. “Yes?”“I finished the spreadsheets.”When he realized it was me, he abandoned his task immediately and looked at me. “Thanks, sweetheart. I haven’t had a chance to check my email.”I approached the desk. “Axel is waiting for his check.”“Well, I’m busy today. He’ll have to come back tomorrow.”I stood there, the laptop tucked under my arm.It was clear he wanted to get back to work, but he didn’t want to be rude and ignore me. “Is there something else?”I wanted to fire off my grievances right there, but I could tell he had more pressing matters on his mind. “Can we have dinner tonight?”His eyes always lit up at the prospect of spending time with me, something I never took for granted because I knew others weren’t so lucky. He was the greatest father in the world, always putting me first, even when I was a grown adult living on my own. “I’d love to. I’ll

“Do you want to cheat on me?”“Babe, that’s not what I meant⁠—”“Then speak more eloquently, Ryan. We’ve been together for six months now, and you’ve known my father’s business the entire time. Now it’s a problem all of a sudden.” My eyes shifted back and forth between his.He was quiet, slipping his hand back into his pocket.I continued to stare him down. “It wasn’t a problem when we were just having fun.”I steeled myself for what was coming.“But when I think about the future and having a family, this isn’t the way I pictured it.”“I don’t even understand what that means.”“You still want to run the family business?” Now it was just the two of us, everyone else at the party fading away like there was no one else in the room. His eyes burned into mine, the heaviness of the question apparent.I refused to lie. “Yes.”He blinked several times, like he hoped I’d give a different answer. “How are you supposed to have a family, living this kind of life?”“People do it every day, Ryan.”

He turned down another hallway then entered a room that looked like a study. Two couches faced each other on a maroon rug. Paintings were on the wall. An impressive hearth stood against the other wall.The room was full of his men, one in every corner, their hands together at their waists.I knew a threat when I saw one.Dante unbuttoned the front of his jacket before he took a seat. “Sit.” His tone was no longer cordial. It was short and impatient, sounding like it came from an entirely different person.I took the seat directly across from him.Instead of taking a relaxed position against the back of the couch, he sat forward, arms on his knees, his dark eyes hostile. He stared for several seconds, letting the room slowly fill with his unspoken rage.I knew what he was pissed off about, but I refused to acknowledge it.His stare continued.“You and your men don’t scare me, Dante,” I said calmly. “Speak your mind, and don’t waste my time.”He raised his head slightly, his eyes flashi