Chapter Five

Massimo's POV

Two days.

I had been inside my room for two days. The wound on my arm wasn't severe, but I needed those two days. Not to recover physically, but to figure out what Ruby was doing to me.

She wasn't in my thoughts often, but when she was, it was infuriating. How could someone so small and so…insignificant hold her ground against me?

I wasn't used to this. People either feared me or flattered me. Ruby didn't do either. And that intrigued me more than it should. I lit a cigar, then I heard a knock on my door.

“Massimo.” My mother's voice called out. She had just recovered from the shock and all I knew she had already found out about Ruby. She was indeed nothing but a fake wife. Someone I don't love. It all started when I saw her, and I just knew I wanted to keep her.

She is fierce, stubborn…like a spitfire. Interesting. I smirked, smoking my cigar as I ignored my mom's incessant knocks. She always wanted things her way, never caring about my opinion or choices.

“Massimo, listen. Sabrina is the perfect woman for you. I know she has hurt you in the past, but you can't drag an innocent girl into our world, son. She wants to go home to see her mother, why's she complicating things for us?” My mother's voice bantered.

“Enough, Mom! I don't care about Sabrina. I don't want her in my life anymore. Never again!” I scowled, dismissing her.

Ever since my dad lost his life to the Miccaso Mafia, my mom wouldn't stop being overprotective of me. Taking everything too seriously as she tried to protect my father's legacy. She wanted me to avenge my father's death at all costs, but we couldn't do it alone. We needed to merge business with the Cassano mafia—the greatest mafia family in Italy. But they wanted a bride for me, according to their legacy. They believed in true love, unlike me.

My mother had wanted Sabrina for me since we were once together, but I refused her. Her family was also very strong, and extra wealthy. The name alone made my stomach twist. After she had cheated on me with my enemy, I broke up with her, cutting ties and complicating my mother's plans. I didn't care.

The knocks ceased, and her footsteps left the door. Shortly, another knock interrupted my thoughts. “It's me, Ruby.”

Her voice made my heart skip twice. She wasn't even scared of me. I furrowed my brows, and said “Come in.”

My mother had sent her.

Ruby stepped inside, her movements careful, like she was entering a lion's den. She was wearing that same guarded expression, the one that dared me to underestimate her.

“Sit,” I said, keeping my voice even. She didn't move. “I'd rather stand,” She said coldly. I leaned back in my chair, studying her. There was no fear in her eyes, but something else.

“Suit yourself,” I replied, sliding the papers toward her. “This is the contract. You have until tomorrow to sign it.”

Her brows furrowed as she glanced at the document. “I don't want your contract. I don't want your marriage. I just want to go home.”

I felt my jaw tighten. Did she dare refuse my offer? I scoffed.

“I'm giving you an opportunity most people would kill for.”

“I'm not most people.” She shot back, meeting my gaze. Quite stubborn. I stand up, studying her body through my mask.

“What's the cost of saving your mother's life, Freckles?” I asked, moving closer to her. “Tell me.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, she didn't answer. Then she said, “Why do you care? I don't need your money. I want my freedom.”

Liar.

I could see it in the way her shoulders tensed, the way her fingers twitched. She didn't want to need my help, but she did. She needed my money.

“You can hate me all you want,” I said, stepping closer. “But don't pretend you don't need me. If you didn't care about the money, you wouldn't still be here.”

Her breath hitched as my body was almost touching hers. I could feel the tension radiating off her, but she didn't flinch.

She didn't move, didn't speak. Her silence was louder than any insult she could have thrown at me.

“Six months,” I growled. “That's all I'm asking. Six months of your life, and your mother's life. You walk away with everything you need.”

Her eyes darkened, the fire in them refusing to dim. “Fine,” she said, her voice sharp as a blade. “But I have two conditions.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Go on.”

“No physical contact unless it's in public.” Her tone was firm, daring me to challenge her.

I smirked. The audacity of this woman. “Deal. And the second?

Her gaze locked with mine, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of fear in her eyes. She hesitated, her voice quieter but no less steady.

“Show me your face.”

The air between us crackled. My smirk faltered for a fraction of a second. No one had dared to ask that in years, not even my own family. She was either braver than most…or more foolish.

I leaned in, close enough to see the pulse in her neck quicken. “Careful what you wish for, Freckles,” I growled, lifting her chin. “You might not like what you see.”

Her breath quickened, her blue eyes locking with mine. “I'll take my chances.”