Secrets And Schemes

"We're leaving now," Roman said as soon as he pulled away from the kiss.

I was too shocked to even give a sensible reply, "uh huh."

"Oh my God, congratulations," a dark haired girl rushed forward to throw her hands around my neck, "I can't believe you got married before me."

"Yeah," I cleared my throat, trying not to reveal the fact that i had no idea who she was.

"Anna," Lucrezia's voice cut into the girl's effusive congratulations, "Leave your cousin alone. You'll see her at the reception party."

"There won't be a reception party," the dark eyed man announced in a frosty tone, "I have more important things to do."

The older woman's blue eyes met mine, amusement shining in them, "I see that you're eager to consummate the marriage."

Goosebumps rose up my arms at the thought of this man touching me with his blood stained hands.

"Congratulations, my boy," an older man with ivory white hair appeared before Roman could give a response.

"Don Antonio," he nodded respectfully.

I stilled. This was the Don of the Italian mafia.

How had I gotten myself entangled in mafia business? It seemed my life was just from frying pan to fire to hell itself.

"If you'll excuse us," he placed a hand at the small of my back and began to steer us out.

"You must be eager to get your hands on your gorgeous bride," he threw his head back and let out a loud roar of laughter, "I understand. If I were you, I'd be eager to get her into my bed too."

His cold brown eyes dragged down my body and I took a wary step back in revulsion.

"Hmm," the man standing me hummed before leading me to the door and out to his waiting Mercedes. He held the passenger door open and I slid into the car.

Moments later, the car peeled away from the church, Roman's jaw clenched so tight that I wondered how he hadn't gotten a migraine yet.

We arrived at a gated mansion almost an hour later and Roman got out and came around to pull me out of the car impatiently.

I let out a shriek as he all but dragged me into the house and up a flight of stairs to a room door.

"I have work to do," he said before storming off.

"Asshole," I muttered under my breath, then opened the room door and made to step in.

A hand flew out from the dark hallway and I was pushed into the wall, a hand slapping over my mouth.

"Hello Sofia," a man's face came into view. Brown hair, brown eyes and a devious smile.

My eyes widened and something cold slithered down my spine.

"Congratulations on your marriage," he chuckled, but it lacked humour.

He looked either way of the hallway, making sure no one was coming before nudging me into the room and shutting the door behind us.

"What do you want?" I asked the man, crossing my arms over my chest.

He raised one brow, "Really? Because you succeeded in getting your claws into Roman, you think you're superior to me now. You're still nothing but the slut who arched her back and begged me to take her like a two dollar whore."

My jaw dropped to the floor, "Wh-what?"

He snorted, "Let's not play games, Sofia. I'm sick and tired of your games. I don't have any interest in you now ," then he licked his lips lasviciously, "Even though I wouldn't mind pushing that gown over your head and pushing into your tight pussy right now."

Heat crawled up my face and I couldn't think of one reason Sofia would have let this vulgar asshole touch her. He was sleazy and looked like a snake.

"But that's not the most important thing," the leer disappeared from his eyes, "what matters is that you keep to our deal."

I scoffed, "If that's all you came to say, you can get out of my room now."

He smiled, "I hope you don't plan on crossing me, because if you don't do your part, you know the consequences and trust me, you won't like it."

This was the second threat I was receiving in the space of a few hours and the worst part was I had no idea who this man was or what he wanted from me.

Lucrezia had really tossed me into a shark tank with no warning and left me to scramble to save myself. I had to be smart if I wanted to know what he was talking about.

"Remind me why I should help you," I rolled my eyes, "I don't believe you, jerk. You're powerless."

He rushed forward, hands wrapping around my throat. He bared his teeth at me, "I showed you the videos, and trust me, I have copies. So unless you want me to share our sex tape to your new husband and every bloody person in the mafia, you'll do as I say."

Holy shit.

"And we both know what Roman will do to you once he finds out you're not the innocent bride he was promised."

I shrugged his hands off me, glaring at him, "Fine, I'll play your stupid games." I tried to act unaffected on the outside, but on the inside my stomach was tumbling.

His eyebrows pulled together, "Dammit, Sofia. This isn't a game. Destroying Roman won't be easy and if you fuck this up, I'll make you regret being born."

"You can't destroy him. He's too powerful," I hissed.

"That's why I have you," he laughed, "The great Roman Moretti will never suspect his scaredy little wife. Trust me, Sofia. Every great empire's destruction started from the inside. Once he's out of the way-" his words trailed off as if he had said too much.

What was he plotting?

"Just do your part and leave the rest to me. But for now, all you have to do is win his trust."

Behind us, the door sudden creaked open and we jumped apart.

Roman's large frame filled the doorway and his eyes landed on the man, "What is going on here?"