Armando

I clicked the glass of champagne with Mr Smith as we locked the deal with each other. Having him as a business partner would bring success to the Russo empire. My family is one of the most oldest and powerful ones in Italy, and to keep the legacy and name of my father, I am ready to go beyond any depths. 

"I hope you stand up to our expectations regarding this deal Mr Russo, I have heard a lot about you and your business ethics, however, I am still sceptical about some things" Mr Smith spoke, his gaze calculative as he stared at me, trying to find out the reaction that he might have anticipated. I gave him a wry smile in response, my eyes staring into his without any ounce of hesitancy. 

"You have my word, Mr Smith. I assure you, you won't regret doing business with the Russos'" As I was about to take a sip of the champagne, his next words made me halt. 

"Of course Mr Russo, however, whispers regarding Dominic Mancini and your relationship with Veros, are making me a bit concerned" My jaws clenched at the mention of the only two persons who were the reason for making my life chaotic recently. The aftereffects of being married to my rival's daughter were still fresh and the last thing I ever wanted was this news affecting this important deal of mine. 

"There is nothing to worry about Mr Smith, the Veros are family" My throat itched as I said those words. Even the thought of considering them as a family made me sick from the inside, but I had to ignore this feeling for the sake of my business. Mr Smith is an important person, and reassuring him that everything is fine when it wasn't, should be my utmost priority. "And as for Dominic Mancini, you have nothing to worry about, I have everything under control"

"I hope. Rude of me not to congratulate you on your wedding" He let out a small laugh while I just smiled in response and took a sip of the champagne that now tasted like water. This deal and the tie with Veros should be more than enough to defeat Dominic Mancini, our business enemy who has the support of some Mafias, as per my sources. His empire is getting stronger day by day, and the way he has crushed so many business families and brought them to their knees compelled my father to tie the knot with Veros since they are the second most powerful and influential family in Italy, after ours. 

Our families have been in good competition with each other for ages. And as far as I remember, I was in this rivalry since I was ten when I first had this match where Sebastian Vero, was my opponent. Since then, we have never missed the chance to prove who is better, both in business and sports, or any other occasion. But now having him as my brother-in-law was nothing more than a nightmare. I very well remember the 'so-called' threat that he gave me on the day of marriage, concerning his sister, Aurora who was now my wife. 

I let out an internal scoff at the memory and decided to spend my time with Mr Smith which also included his unhelpful pieces of advice on how to make your wife happy and so on. I don't need to make her happy, she was not my responsibility to start with. This marriage means nothing to me, it's only to make me powerful and show the world that no one can defeat me. Or that's what I have been telling myself since the moment she entered my life, turning it into complete chaos.

I hated the feeling and the flash of those green emerald eyes that somehow contradicted my thoughts and the whole situation. The effect that woman has on me is something that could not be explained in words. We had seen each other in events before our marriage, but only I knew how my heart used to race every time I met her eyes. Having such a desire for the one whom you were conditioned to hate would be considered self-betrayal. I closed my eyes in frustration and let out a deep sigh and decided to enjoy the company with my new business partner. 

"My apologies for the interruption Mr Russo, but we have a condition" My right man, Marco barged in with a worried expression on his face as he stared between me and Mr Smith.

"Excuse me, Mr Smith, I will get back to you" The old man raised his glass in the air in response to my words. I gave him a curt nod before walking with Marco who took me to the corner of the club that we were in. The sound of the music and the smell of alcohol made me annoyed as I waited for him to speak. 

"Speak" I gave him an intense look as his expression was not giving me a pleasant feeling. 

"Sire, Mrs Russo is here with her friends, and well, they are enjoying way too much" My gaze darkened when he pointed in the direction where my beloved wife and her friends were dancing in the corner of the club. My eyes were stuck on Aurora who was moving her body to the rhythm of the music while wearing that tight green dress that somehow ignited a fire inside of me, her eyes were closed and her hands were up in the air. My jaws clenched when my gaze fell on the men who were staring at her with not-so-not-good gazes. 

"You've got to be kidding me" I cursed under my breath and marched towards her. The concern regarding Mr Smith vanished in the air as my sole attention was on Aurora. One month. It's been only a month since we got married and she already started to show her true colours, not caring about the legacy of being a Russo and heck not caring about the fact that she was my wife! Roaming around while not having to care in the world when there is a literal danger out there clearly shows that she is a trouble disguised as a temptress.

I stopped a few steps away from her, watching her with an intense gaze, but I lost control when I saw one of the random guys getting near her. 

Heck no. That's my wife you son of a bitch!

I gritted my teeth and grabbed her wrist, swirling her around as she finally looked into my eyes and froze. Tilting my head, I did not hesitate to grab her by the waist and brought her face closer to mine as I spoke in a voice that was laced with anger. 

"What are you doing here?" I asked while my eyes roamed calculatingly around her face. The way her breaths turned short, her pointed nose, rosy pink cheeks and her lips- urging me to claim them, made me a bit vulnerable but I kept my posture composed and glared at her beautiful green emerald eyes that were now staring back at me with an unreadable expression. 

"Enjoying my night. Do you have any issues?" Amusement filled my body as I listened to her bold words. In the past month, we didn't exchange words with each other that much, only a few greetings. I used to be out most of the time for my business, while she, was at events. We both knew that this was a marriage of convenience and expecting anything would be foolish. I have already made up my mind to divorce her the moment I find a way to defeat Mancini. 

But tonight as I watched her looking enchanting like a goddess while being exposed to so many hungry eyes made me possessive, and for the first time, I was glad that she was my wife. That she was mine, well legally. 

"Well, I am not apologetic for interrupting your lovely moment little dove, however, your actions could harm the image of the Russos. I don't think that I have to remind you that you are my wife" A mischievous smile spread across my face when I noticed the change in her expression. She was getting angry, that was somehow so attractive. Getting a reaction from her could be so addicting I didn't know. 

"I don't think I owe you any explanation, Mr Russo. Stop acting like you care for me. I am here to enjoy my time and it would be nice if you leave me alone" She retorted while attempting to get out of my hold. 

How fierce. I like it.

I smirked and didn't let her succeed as I twirled her around, her exposed back touched my chest and I wrapped my arms around her waist again, now swinging my body along with hers. Brushing the strand of her hair with my nose I leaned closer to her ear and whispered. 

"What if I don't? What are you going to do little dove?" I could feel the way her arms slightly shivered under my tight hold. She should know whom she messes with, and I, Armando Russo never lose. If I want her out of this club then I will make it happen, either in an easy way or a hard one. The softness of her skin was somehow making me insane, and I wasn't aware that she had such power over my emotions. The memory of her walking in that white wedding dress was still fresh in my mind. For the first time, I couldn't take my eyes off of a woman, she looked ethereal and innocent at that time but tonight. 

Tonight she looked like a goddess of temptation, and I feared losing control over my mind and body. 

What are you doing to me Aurora?

"You sure you have the heart to listen to what will I do?" She spat in anger and suddenly turned around, taking me by surprise and inched closer to my face. I could smell her vanilla and cocoa scent even if the air around us was mixed with alcohol and sweat. "I will hit on the first guy that comes in my way and let him have the honour to enjoy my company. Now that will ruin your name since I am your wife, won't it? The paparazzi will get insane. Great Armando Russo couldn't even make his wife happy" She smirked and walked back while dancing and gave me a challenging look.

The playful smile that I had on my face vanished the moment her words passed through my ears. Not with the fact that she was threatening me to ruin my image.

Like I give a fuck about this low threat of hers.

But the thought of another man touching what's mine. 

Oh little dove, you asked for this. 

"Do not blame me after" I muttered through gritted teeth making her frown, and in no time she was on my shoulder while I walked out of the club that she didn't know I owned. I gave Marco a look to handle the situation concerning Mr Smith, and to make sure that whatever happened should remain inside the walls of this club and took Aurora with me towards the car that was thankfully parked in the VIP area. 

"Are you serious? Put me down!" She struggled while I continued to walk with a dark face. Her words triggered something inside of me, and I will make sure that she bears the consequences of what she did a few minutes ago. She is not getting away with this, even if it's the alcohol that was controlling her tongue I will make sure that she thinks twice before touching it the next time. 

I trapped her against my car and glared into her eyes while she breathed heavily. 

"Get in the car Aurora" I commanded and in response, she raised her chin, giving me a look of defiance. Her eyes were expressing a mixture of emotions- hurt, aggression, frustration but I didn't care about them as I was so angry. No one dares to touch what's mine. Even if romantic feelings were not involved between us she was still mine. We were bound by legal terms and as long as she was my wife, I would not let her do something stupid. Like letting someone else touch her, I swear to God I will chop off the person's hands who even dares to. This feeling was making me hate myself so much!

"I won't repeat little dove. Get. In. The. Car" I growled and leaned closer to face. She didn't move an inch and that was enough to break the thread of my patience. 

"I hate you so much" 

I whispered as I smashed my lips on hers. 

[TO BE CONTINUED]