Chapter Ten

Frederico Grey Di Grazia

I leaned against the doorway, shrouded in the shadows, my arms folded as I watched the scene unfold. Rose’s startled expression as the lights flickered on and off amused me, her nerves evident in the way she clutched the feather duster as though it could protect her from whatever she thought was lurking in the darkness.

And then he walked in. Edward. Ma’am Sarah’s overconfident son.

A muscle in my jaw tightened as I watched him move closer to her, his laughter echoing through the room like an irritant. The way he looked at her, spoke to her, dared to touch her—it grated on my nerves. His audacity was almost comical.

He was playing with what was mine.

Mine.

I watched as he leaned closer to her, brushing her hair away with a familiarity that turned my amusement into irritation. My fists clenched at my sides. What gave him the right to invade her space like that? To make her blush, to steal a smile that wasn’t his to take?

The tension in my chest tightened, and I could feel my control slipping, my wolf prowling beneath my skin, snarling to be let loose. But I stayed put, calculating, waiting for the perfect moment.

Edward’s hand lingered near her cheek as if testing my patience, his voice lowering to a tone that made my blood boil.

“Trouble? With a face like yours, Rose, I’d risk it all.”

Fool.

He didn’t see me until it was too late.

The scent of my presence finally hit Rose. Her eyes darted toward me, wide with panic, and she shoved him away instinctively. Smart girl. She knew better than to let someone else touch what belonged to me.

Edward turned, and the color drained from his face the moment his gaze met mine. The arrogance he carried a second ago vanished, replaced by poorly masked fear.

“Boss,” he stammered, taking a step back. “I didn’t mean—”

“I didn’t ask for your excuses, Edward,” I said, my voice cold and cutting. Each word carried the promise of consequences.

I stepped forward, deliberate and calm, my shoes echoing against the floor. Rose was still rooted to the spot, her trembling hands clutching the feather duster like it was a lifeline.

Edward looked between us, scrambling for words. “It’s not what it looks like—”

“Oh, I know exactly what it looks like,” I interrupted, my tone sharp enough to slice through steel.

I came to a stop just inches away from him, towering over him, the smirk on my lips both a warning and a challenge.

Edward opened his mouth to protest, but the words never came. I was done entertaining his pathetic attempts to justify his actions.

My gaze shifted to Rose, who was watching me with a mixture of fear and something else.

She was mine, and I would ensure everyone, including Edward, understood that.

“Leave,” I ordered, my voice firm and final. Edward hesitated, glancing at Rose one last time before scurrying out of the room.

Now it was just the two of us.

Rose swallowed hard, her breathing uneven as I turned my full attention to her. Her defiance was gone, replaced by uncertainty.

I took a step closer, closing the space between us. She didn’t move, her eyes locked on mine as if daring me to make the first move.

“You seem shaken,” I said softly, my voice a low rumble as I reached out and brushed the back of my fingers against her cheek. Her skin was warm, her scent intoxicating.

“I-I wasn’t expecting—” she started, but her words faltered as I leaned in, my lips hovering near her ear.

“You know you deserve to be punished, don’t you?” I growled, grabbing her chin. My fingers dug into her soft skin as she flinched, a hint of defiance flickering in her eyes.

“I’m not yoir fucking slave that deserves to be punished!” she hissed.

“Oh but you are,” I sneered, leaning closer. “I didn’t pay for you to go around kissing some worthless trash.”

“You're hurting me, you're hurting me, Red..” She begged, trying to move away from my grip.

“Shut up. I fucking hate it, when you call me red. Fuck it, I'm not that red!!..” I shoved her away.

She rolled her eyes away, anger building up.

“I fucking owe you!!”

“So what?” She retorted, prompting me to scoff.

“So what? It means I get to touch you, kill you, make you cry or do anything I want. You think I bought you so you get your freedom!” I barked.

She laughed bitterly, her anger matching my own. “That’s right, the great Frederico, playing god because my father owes you millions. My life is just a pawn in your sick game.”

“Say whatever you want, but you’ll do as I say,” I barked, stepping closer.

“Fine! Then take what you want!” she screamed, her trembling hands unbuttoning her dress. It fell to the floor, and she stood bare before me, her defiance burning hotter than her shame.

I froze. What the hell was she doing?

“Well?” she challenged, her voice laced with venom. “Isn’t this what you want, Frederico? Aren’t you going to make me dance like your little puppet?”

Her words were a spark, igniting my already fraying control. Without hesitation, I closed the distance between us, grabbing her face roughly, my fingers digging into her jaw.

“You talk too much,” I hissed before crushing my lips against hers.

The kiss was savage, punishing, my teeth sinking into her bottom lip until I tasted blood. Her gasp turned into a soft moan as my hand moved to her breast, grabbing it roughly, her body arching into my touch despite her resistance.

That sound—her moan—snapped something in me.

I shoved her away, breathing hard, disgusted with myself. Her swollen, bleeding lips and defiant gaze only fueled the storm in my head.

“Damn it,” I cursed under my breath, turning on my heel and leaving before I lost control again.

“Fuck!!” I cursed under my breath, leaving the room immediately.