All Chapters of Married To Danger: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

ADRIANI’d never been one for physical closeness at night. Even when Serena was alive, I rarely shared a bed with her. On the nights I did, it was more out of obligation than desire. She never hid her distaste for having me near her. If she reached for me at all, it was only because she wanted something— never because she simply wanted me. That was the kind of marriage we had. A cold and empty one.Valentina was different. She had asked me to hold her, she had sought out my warmth. And I’d refused her. The look on her face when I pulled back haunted me now as much as any nightmare.The pale light of dawn crept through the curtains, painting the room in a soft gray glow. I turned my head and found her face on the pillow beside me. Her lashes were clumped together, still heavy with the traces of tears she hadn’t wanted me to see. Her cheeks were slightly puffed from crying, and yet there was something innocent, almost fragile, about the way she slept. Sometime in the night she had drift

VALENTINAIt was obvious that Adrian was uncomfortable with any kind of public displays of affection.Adrian was quickly pulled into a circle of Rico and all the other Underbosses, leaving me exposed to the relentless questions of my mother and the endless chatter of my aunts. Their smiles were sweet enough, but their curiosity made me feel exposed, and after what felt like an eternity of dodging and deflecting, I finally managed to slip away.I found refuge in the women’s restroom, locking myself into a stall just to breathe. For a few minutes, I sat on the closed lid of the toilet, pressing my hands against my lap, collecting myself in the quiet. My heart was still racing from the morning’s scrutiny.When I finally stepped out to fix my makeup at the mirror, the door creaked open and Gemma walked in. She caught my eye in the mirror. Her smile was gentle, not prying. “It’s a lot, isn’t it?” she said, leaning against the sink as if she already knew the answer.I gave a small nod. “It

VALENTINAAdrian stiffened, but the look on his face became even more intense than before. “What was that?” His voice was a low rasp that I could feel everywhere.“A kiss?” I didn’t have much experience, but I doubted anyone could mess up a simple kiss.“Are you trying to influence me with your body?”My eyes grew wide. “No. I could smell the liquor on your breath, and I was curious how it tastes.”Adrian chuckled. “You are a strange girl.” His mouth twisted. “Woman.”He looked down at the dog in my arms. It was snuggled against me peacefully. Without a word, Adrian turned around and returned to his glass of whisky on the table. I stepped inside and closed the door.”Stroking the dog, I followed my husband.“What’s its name?”“Milo,” Adrian said with a strange note to his voice. I stopped beside him.“Can I have a sip of your whisky?”His eyes bored into me. “You’ve never had whisky before?”“No. My father didn’t allow me to drink alcohol. I had my first glass at our wedding.”“Many f

VALENTINA I froze, caught off guard by his sudden closeness. How could he kiss me when he was angry?He turned around with a sharp exhale and stalked a few steps away before he threw me a cautious look. “You don’t have to be scared. I won’t force myself on you. Last night was necessary, but I won’t seek you out again until you want me to.”He sounded tired again and as if he were certain I’d never want him to. What had happened between his wife and him? I pushed the thought of her to the back of my mind, and with it the accompanying uneasiness.I should have said something, but I was overwhelmed— by the situation, by the kiss that still echoed in my lips, by the look in Adrian’s eyes. I felt like I was caught up in a current, which spun faster and faster, leaving me disoriented. Yesterday morning I’d been me, a twenty one year girl who loved art and rain and shopping. Now I was a wife, a stepmother, the society lady at an Underboss’s side. With all my new roles, was there still room

VALENTINAI froze, staring at the little boy. What had just happened? Stefan had fought against Adrian’s hold like a wild thing, as though he were terrified of his own father. And Adrian— God— there’d been a flicker in his expression, a dangerous tightening around his jaw, the kind of look that suggested he was one breath away from snapping.Milo’s barking echoed faintly from downstairs, like a frantic background noise, but Sofia had quieted. Probably because Adrian had taken her out of her crib. My chest squeezed at the memory of last night’s chaos, but I pushed it aside and forced myself to focus on the boy in front of me.I drew in a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and crouched down to his level. “Hello, Stefan. I’m Valentina.” My voice was soft and careful.His eyes met mine. They looked miserable, guarded, and a shade of brown that reminded me of milk chocolate. His caramel-blond hair stuck up in uneven tufts, knotted in places as if no one had run a comb through it in far too