LATER THAT DAY I heard screams from my office.I immediately knew who was causing problems. Cazzo, this girl.Gritting my teeth, I stood up from my chair and pulled on my blazer. I avoided her all day, knowing I would have to deal with her after she picked out a dress. But I couldn't let her upset Celestina, who was an old friend.A steady stream of Italian swear words echoed throughout the hallway. Celestina had a foul mouth and a short fuse. Probably because I liked her.I entered the ballroom. The two women were facing each other near a row of dresses and Celestina was cursing Francesca's ancestors. I didn't allow myself to look at my son's fiancée. “Ciao, Tina,” I called. - Stay where you are?The petite dark-haired designer turned around. — Dai ! This girl, beautiful. I can not stand. She has no fashion sense. She's turning her nose up at every dress. My dresses!I kissed her cheeks. —But that's why I brought you. Because you're the best and we should teach you what it means to b
FrancescaI STAYED away from the castle for the rest of the day.Instead, I spent the hours with Vincenzo, learning about grapes and wine. I asked about the property lines, but he said it wasn't walkable, that I would need a car to reach them. Apparently Ravazzani owned a lot of land, damn him.I told myself I stayed outside to find a way to escape, but that was a lie. My encounter with the elder Ravazzani in the ballroom left me shaken... and excited. He was so angry but so incredibly hot as he cornered me, his big body trapping me as he tried to intimidate me. Except his touch had been gentle, while his gaze burned with an intensity that flipped a switch inside me, making me ache and soaking my panties. There was a moment when I could have sworn the attraction was mutual, but this was insane. Was not?It had to be. I was here to marry his son. And I wasn't sweet at all around Fausto. He hated me.But I was woman enough to admit I was attracted to him. It was the way he moved, the wa
FaustSOMETHING TOLD ME she was going to run away.I knew that the wedding dress, combined with what Francesca saw in the dungeon, would overwhelm her and force her hand. I was looking forward to the challenge, actually. She had no chance of escaping, but it would be fun to see how she tried.I continued working until late at night. As usual, guards patrolled outside and two men monitored the security feeds. There was a complex system of tunnels that connected the castle to hideouts in the surrounding mountains, and if he found them he could penetrate deep into the forest. Although she couldn't run away, it would take us some time to find her.She was unaware of this option, fortunately, and I wanted it to stay that way.Giulio had returned an hour ago. Francesca would wait until she assumed everyone was asleep before making her attempt. Which meant any minute now…I was checking out a contract we had secured for a government building when I heard the floor above me creak. Oh yes. The
FrancescaTHIS WAS INSANE . It was as if he was seducing me to kill him.His voice, rough and low, filled the car and my head, drawing me deeper into his web. I was mesmerized, not scared, which worried me.You're definitely not a good girl, Francesca.Was that why I didn't fight when Ravazzani's soldier pushed me back into the car? Or why my stomach dropped when Ravazzani himself showed up to rescue me from the police?Was that why my panties were soaked now?No, I couldn't let it be true. I had to stay strong and remember that I wanted a normal life. The life my mother wanted for her daughters. I wasn't turned on by this man or the violence he represented.I pushed his shoulder, which I couldn't help but notice was hard and strong, and gave him the gun back. —Stop fucking with my head.Smiling, he put some distance between us and pocketed the gun. I hated that smug look on his face. — Don't think for a second that this proves anything. I'm not stupid enough to shoot you when I know
My entire body sagged with relief, so happy that tears welled up in my eyes. - I am fine. I'm in Italy.— Dad told us what happened. We are worried. Are you really marrying that man's son?— No. It's complicated. — I didn't want to say anything more than that, just in case. -How are you doing? How is Gia?- We are fine. I'm trying to make progress in my AP chemistry class this summer, so I'm a mess.I smiled. Emma took school very seriously. She was the smartest person I knew. — That's good, but don't forget to enjoy your break too.— I will, but this is more important. I want to get into a good... — She bit off the word, but it stayed there between us, unspoken.I swallowed hard. Once I also wanted to get into a good school. — You will, Em. You will. Is Gia around?“Yes.” I could hear her moving around, probably walking to Gia's room. —But before I let you go, tell me. Are you hurt? Are they mistreating you? Because I'm going to tell Dad and he's going to come get you.I pressed my f
FrancescaWe heard the helicopter before we saw it.“I can't believe this,” Giulio muttered as the sleek black helicopter approached the yacht.- Who's that?But even when I asked the question, I knew. I knew.He was here, though for what reason I couldn't say. Giulio and I hadn't done anything wrong and I hadn't tried to run away.- Let's go. — Giulio stood up and extended his hand to help me up. We walked to the front, towards the heliport, and waited for the helicopter to land.Faust emerged first, all Italian beauty swept away by the wind, but then turned to help another guest down. Katarzyna.Despite my best efforts to remain unaffected, my stomach knotted painfully. I had a feeling that this knot was jealousy, which was absolutely unacceptable. There was no need to complicate this situation with a reality show level of unnecessary drama. I was just upset that our private day had been ruined by the man I least wanted to see.Liar.Dressed in a sheer shawl, Katarzyna clung to his
FaustI MADE A MISTAKE BY BRINGING KATARZYNA .Needing this to feel like a social outing, I asked my housekeeper to come along. I hadn't seen her since the night at the castle and she always loved the boat. However, it was clear from Francesca's expression that she didn't like Katarzyna.Jealousy, perhaps?That seemed unlikely, given Francesca's general dislike of me. Most likely, Katarzyna's habit of never knowing when to be quiet had bothered Francesca. But I noticed the way Francesca's nipples puckered when I went out on deck in my swimming trunks. She may not like me, but she was attracted to me.Something changed between us the night she tried to escape. I read the lust in his eyes, saw the blush on his cheeks. She was practically panting as she pointed the gun at me. My talk of fucking against a wall turned her on even more.She was not innocent, and my suspicions about her proved correct at every turn. I had a feeling this girl liked that. Like me.And I was dying to find out.
FrancescaGIULIO and I watched the sunset as the yacht sailed back to Siderno. We were both quiet, lost in our thoughts.And one thing you should know, Francesca, is that I always get what I want.Was Fausto telling me he wanted me? That was certainly implied when he cornered me against the wall and pinned me with his body. I hadn't felt scared at that moment. Well, maybe a little, but not because I thought he would hurt me. I was afraid of my reaction to him, of how arousal pulsed between my legs with just one look from him. My nipples hardened every time he was within fifty feet, as if they were giving off some kind of warning.Except I didn't want to run away from him. Far from it.I thought about his hand at my throat, the heat and strength of his body as he surrounded me, and I wanted more. I wanted to drown in its darkness... and it terrified me.I was a strong woman. Independent. I had plans for my future, like going to college and finding a normal, safe man to marry. Someone w