chapter 5

•SOFIA•

We arrived at the exotic island I figured was in Teodoro Bernadi's name at dusk around five after a gruesomely long flight.

I felt heavily jetlagged, exhausted and partly hungry since I'd barely been able to properly eat the food on the plane with Dominic sitting right in front of me and periodically stealing lingering glances at me.

He was hands down a workaholic as he'd been working on his laptop and tablet most of the time and I just sat there, eating, napping, reading magazines and repeating the cycle.

Dark clouds pregnant with rain hung scattered across the sky and I could almost feel raindrops pelting my skin as we were escorted to the modern luxurious villa we'd be staying in.

I'd never felt so small and insignificant, flanked by burly bodyguards in black suits, my own husband towering over me a step ahead as his stride was way bigger than mine no matter how much I tried to keep up.

He was on his phone, a business call I presumed from the conversation going on. Was he ever not working?

We made it to the entrance of the villa, walking down a wide artistically designed passage before proceeding to the main lounge.

Half of the bodyguards stayed by the door while some proceeded in with the luggage. I watched as they went up to the first floor and Dominic plopped onto the couch exhaustedly, carrying on with his phone call.

I wasn't sure who to follow, standing there awkwardly, my eyes glazing slowly from upstairs to Dominic.

I ended up deciding to sit on the couch and wait for him when standing before him felt awkward and uncomfortable.

I sat on a couch across from his, fidgeting with my fingers and looking everywhere else but at him.

The décor of the villa was top-notch and undoubtedly packed with all the facilities to make the stay luxuriously worthwhile.

From where I sat, I could see the infinity pool outside with glimmering turquoise water that reminded me of how exhausted I felt. If only I could dive in there for a swim and soothe my aching muscles.

The scenery was beautiful and the place altogether heavenly, but I couldn't help but feel uneasy. Teodoro owned the place and his actions with me when we met had been hideous and alarming.

What if he had a scheme up his sleeves to frighten me or some diabolical plan to show he was the alpha and my family had stupidly fallen into his trap? What if his plan for revenge was already in motion and my entire family and I were already unconsciously participating in executing it?

An unsettling f

eeling sunk my heart into the pit of my fuzzy stomach, my eyes landing on Dominic.

What if he was part of executing the revenge and I already felt safe enough around him to have some level of trust in him?

He'd married me, a stranger, after all with barely any benefits on his part. Why had he agreed to it? Had he also been forced to do it or he'd willingly hopped onto the train to aid in bringing the people I loved and I down?

I swallowed hard, fighting to flush all the feelings of security out of my system and try to perceive him as a cold and heartless man, hell-bent on ruining my life, but I just couldn't.

It felt like my heart had already decided the warmth flickering on and off in his seemingly cold eyes was genuine and he wasn't a monster. I dangerously placed all my trust in my instincts.

"Sofia," his deep voice drew me out of my thoughts, making me realise he was looking directly at me with a bit of concern on his face. "I've been calling you for some time. Is everything okay?"

Shit.

I'd zoned out again, overthinking and painting him a monster yet he spoke to me so softly with genuine concern in his voice.

"I'm fine," I breathed, with a small dismissive smile. "I'm sorry, I got lost in my thoughts. Did you say something?"

Dominic looked at me with a cocked brow, highly unconvinced by my words before the doubt melted away and he sighed, standing up and walking towards me.

My heart thumped hard in my chest. Why was he walking towards me so determinedly with his gaze fixated on me?

I took a shallow controlled breath as he plopped onto the couch next to me and I instinctively angled my body in such a way I faced him directly.

"Look, Sofia," he started, as he leaned forward to get a better view of my face. "I know everything might be overwhelming and our wedding was out of the blue, but that doesn't mean you're a prisoner of any sort."

He paused, looking at me for a reaction. I nodded attentively, his words sinking in.

"If anything is making you uncomfortable or insecure, you can always talk to me about it and I will make necessary adjustments for your comfort, okay?"

His words didn't sound like the words a monster would say. They felt sincere and seemed to tone down my nerves an inch.

I simply nodded slowly again as a sign I understood what he said, but the way he carefully looked at me reported he wasn't satisfied.

I gazed into his eyes the same way he gazed into mine, my lips slightly parted. What was I supposed to say?

"Words, Sofia," he said firmly, his eyes fixed on mine. "Use your words and tell me you understand you have nothing to be afraid of when I'm around," he emphasised authoritatively.

I swallowed hard, nodding again but this time with words accompanying the action. "Of course, I understand."

Dominic's hand slowly trailed across the couch on the small gap between us before settling lightly on my knee. "What do you understand, Sofia?"

The way he said my name so slowly, chiselling every syllable luxuriantly made my stomach cartwheel, goosebumps peppering the spot on my knee his hand covered.

Above all, his eyes weren't moving an inch from mine, demanding I maintained the intensity, looking into his eyes as they bore into my soul.

"That I have nothing to be afraid of when you're around," I repeated his words softly but with a firm tenor, "and you're not going to hurt me under any circumstances," I added my own deep desire.

Dominic's grasp on my knee grew firm and he slowly leaned into me. "Good girl," he whispered softly close to my ear against my skin.

My breath hitched in my throat, wild butterflies swarming my stomach at the speed of lightning. I felt weird heat on my face, blood roaring in my ears and inexplicable aching tightening between my legs.

It was so oddly mysterious and frightening how two simple words could command my feral hormones to flare wildly to life and demand release, something I couldn't afford, something I'd never received but knew I desperately ached for.

What was he doing to me?

"Come," he breathed so innocently yet so erotically in my mind. "I'll show you to your bedroom."

Dominic slowly withdrew his face from mine, his eyes briefly straying to my lips before he stood up. I reluctantly got up as well, embarrassed by how weak my knees felt.

We walked silently towards the staircase like nothing had happened seconds ago and I felt his hand lightly on the small of my back, guiding me forward.

I trudged up the stairs in front of Dominic, different thoughts swirling through my mind. Was he doing this on purpose or he was merely being himself and I just wasn't used to it?

I stopped walking when he reached the main hallway and spotted suitcases placed by two different doors.

Dominic walked in front of me, leaning casually against the door frame of the first bedroom. "This is my bedroom and yours is right next to mine," he informed me. "I thought you might feel uncomfortable sharing and need your personal space."

Part of me was disappointed, but the rational part of me felt okay with the setup. I'd never slept in a bed with anyone except Ava, Natalie or Mom and the whole idea of sharing a bedroom with someone already causing hormonal havoc in my body did sound adventurous but uncomfortable to some extent.

I could manage on my own and use my personal space at my disposal.

"We have enough security I guess and a chef for all meals. You'll familiarise yourself with the rest soon."

I nodded. "Sure."

When he said nothing further, I took it as my cue to leave to freshen up. I awkwardly turned away without saying a word, cursing at my terrible socialising skills.

"Sofia," he called me before I could take three away from him.

"Yes?" I replied, looking back at him.

"I'm going out for important business but should be back in time for dinner. Don't wait up if I'm not back by eight," he informed me.

I nodded again, speaking convincingly. "Okay."

I turned back around and began walking forward towards my bedroom with an inaudible sigh.

His words reminded me this was nothing but a business arrangement, a contract unifying us in uncomfortable circumstances.

I wasn't supposed to have expectations of him or dream of having an actual honeymoon and acting like newlyweds.

He definitely had a life before this marriage, a girlfriend as well obviously or many. He was a smoke show and definitely had women falling at his feet.

Our marriage wouldn't hold him back from hooking up with them. If he'd been a fuckboy, he'd probably just continue and I didn't have any right to feel disrespected as long as it wasn't in my face.

I just had to remember constantly that this wasn't a love marriage. There were no feelings attached and to protect my heart, I had to keep it that way.

I pushed the door open, taking the suitcases in with me before closing the door. Once I was inside, I walked towards the large queen-sized bed at the centre of the room and collapsed onto it with a heavy sigh.

The bed felt so comfortable I could fall asleep right there, but I needed to take a shower first.

I got up from it after minutes of procrastinating, sighing again when I hear a door open and close. He'd left and I didn't know how to feel about it. Deep down, it sucked though.

I dragged one big suitcase I didn't remember taking with me from home and hauled it onto the bed. I curiously opened it, my eyes widening when I scanned through its contents.

There was mostly underwear, the sluttiest type I'd ever seen that'd barely cover anything. There was also nightwear, but the type one would wear to seduce a man and get railed mercilessly. The rest of the clothes were just the same, slinky and too revealing for my style and comfort.

I'd have been doomed if Mom and Ava hadn't packed extra outfits I was familiar with for me.

I closed the suitcase and walked towards the open window to close it when the violent wind began blowing in. It'd started showering and it was growing darker outside.

It'd probably rain heavily tonight and I wasn't complaining. I could use it for a good night's sleep.

I closed the window and walked back to my suitcase, taking out my shampoo and a couple other things I wanted to use for my bath.

My battery had died so I put my phone on the charger first before proceeding into the bathroom.

The bathroom was big and elegant enough for a dreamy bath, but there was no key on the door. That made me feel a tad bit uncomfortable, but I could manage for just tonight's bath and see if it could be fixed the next morning.

I stripped out of my clothes and proceeded into the shower cubicle. There was both a fixed and detachable showerhead for my convenience.

I opened the tap and shivered a little, flinching away when the water came out cold at first before eventually heating up.

It felt really good and refreshing, feeling the warm water against my skin, washing away the sweat, dirt and stress even.

Soon enough, the glass walls were covered by steam and I was taking a mildly thorough shower, my thoughts further away in a much more peaceful place.

I squeezed some shampoo into my hands, rubbing it into my hair and scalp and washing it off. I loved the soothing scent it gave off of combined fragrances, mostly lavender. It helped me relax.

I thought I heard a door open and close, followed by hushed talking, but I pushed it to the back of my head. Maybe Dominic was back already and conversing with the staff.

I continued showering freely until I heard the creaking of a door too close for me to stay unbothered. It sounded like someone opened the door to my bedroom.

I stopped moving much, washing the soap off my face and paying closer attention to what was happening. I closed the tap to hear clearer sounds and my heart froze for a split-second.

Someone was in my bedroom and they were whistling, walking closer and closer to the bathroom.

I felt my heart beat wildly in my chest, adrenaline pumping into my veins. I tried calming down, taking a deep breath and trying to convince myself it was only Dominic and he wouldn't hurt me, but I couldn't.

I didn't feel safe all of a sudden.

Maybe I could go out and check and get rid of my fear altogether despite how risky it was. Literally, anyone could be in there with different intentions. I had to be careful.

I slowly walked towards the sliding door of the cubicle, sliding it slightly open and peeking my head out.

The door handle was twisted down before the door was slowly pushed open.

"Dominic, I'm bathing," I called out in terror, my stomach rumbling. It had to be him.

Please, be him.

The whistling stopped and a devilish chuckle followed before two burly stark naked men I'd never seen before in my entire live walked in.

Shit.

I slammed the door closed so hard I feared it would break, my heart throwing itself against my ribcage like a trapped bird trying to escape.

My hands were trembling, trying to hold the door as hot tears stung my eyes, ugly memories of an evil attempt of this nature years ago flooding my mind.

No. Please, no.