Chapter 6

The evening in the Vitale estate was rather uneventful. The cool air drifted through the open balcony doors in Rhea’s room. She found a rare moment of peace for herself.

Rhea was sitting by her vanity mirror, combing through her long hair. She knew the weight of her situation still lingered but she convinced herself she was in control.

She sat there thinking about the simpler times in her life. She was born into a mafia family, however, it had never been high-stakes for her. She had always assumed that she would get married to a man she loves and sail into the sunset with him while leaving her father and brother in their mafia business.

How wrong was she?

While in her thoughts, she heard a light knock on her door.

“Come in, she said while wondering who her visitor was. Of course, Adrian would prefer to barge in unannounced than ask for permission.

A woman entered gently and stood in front of Rhea. She was tall and poised, with a beautiful presence. She had pitch-black hair that was twisted into a neat bun, and she was dressed in a crisp black dress that fit her slim body like a second skin.

Something about her made Rhea uneasy.

“You must be Rhea,” the woman said smoothly. She spoke with an Italian accent that was elegant and sharp.

Rhea tilted her head, watching the woman carefully. “And you are?”

“Antoinette.” The woman ran a quick gaze over Rhea, assessing her. She couldn’t help but notice how beautiful Rhea was. Her long hair. her piercing eyes. Her silky skin

“I run the internal affairs of this household. My job is to ensure things function seamlessly, especially now that you are here.”

Rhea furrowed her brow. “And what exactly does that have to do with me?”

Antoinette’s lips curved slightly, though there was no real warmth in her expression. “It is my duty to help you adjust to your new life as Adrian’s wife. To teach you what is expected of you.”

Rhea quickly dropped the hairbrush she was holding onto and turned fully to face the woman. A slow, mocking smile touched her lips. “You must be mistaken. I am Rhea Moretti. The daughter of Enrico Moretti, I do not need lessons in obedience.”

Antoinette looked at her sternly while also returning the mocking smile. “And yet, you are here now and not as a Moretti, but as a Vitale. Your name has changed, your role has changed, and whether you like it or not, your life is no longer your own.”

Rhea’s jaw tensed, but she refused to look away.

“The more you defy orders, the harder things will be for you,” Antoinette continued, stepping closer. “Adrian does not tolerate insubordination. If you want things to go smoothly with your husband, you would do well to listen.”

Rhea’s fingers tightened around the fabric of her robe; she could feel her blood boiling within her.

How dare anyone put her in this position? She despised the idea of bending or submitting. But she was not foolish. She was here for a reason. She had a mission, and she was going to accomplish said mission.

Still, she couldn’t let this woman think she had won.

She leaned back in her chair, exhaling softly. “Tell me something, Antoinette.” Her voice was sweet but laced with venom. “Did Adrian send you? Or do you enjoy playing trainer to his pet?

Antoinette’s lips twitched. “I do what needs to be done. And right now, you need to be reminded of your place.”

A slow, simmering anger burned in Rhea’s chest, and before she knew it, she exploded.

“Let me make myself very clear to you, Antoinette. I’m not one to be played with, you hear me? You might be whatever you call yourself in this house, but don’t forget I am a double-edged sword. By birth, I am a Moretti, and now I am married to Adrian, the underboss of the Vitale family. You will mind how you….”

But before she could finish, the double doors of the bedroom burst open with a force that made the crystal chandeliers tremble.

Adrian strode into the room like a storm; his presence was suffocating, and his movements were precise. Marco was right behind him with a grim expression.

Rhea barely had time to process before Adrian’s icy blue gaze landed on her.

“Get up,” he ordered.

Her brows furrowed. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” His voice was sharp, leaving no room for discussion.

Rhea hesitated a little, her mind was racing. The air in the room shifted and became thick with something dangerous. She glanced at Antoinette, whose face remained expressionless, and then back at Adrian, whose patience was visibly thinning.

Then he moved towards Rhea.

In a few giant and commanding strides, he was in front of her, grabbing her wrist and yanking her up so forcefully that the chair screeched against the marble.

“Adrian—”

“You’re coming with me,” he cut her off, his fingers tight around her wrist.

“Where?” she snapped, trying to pry herself free.

He turned his head slightly, and while looking into her eyes with his burning eyes, he said. “Wherever I decide, woman. Don’t you ever question me?”

Rhea swallowed hard.

But why did she find his dominance inherently sexy? Why could she feel the moistness of her pussy? Something must be wrong with her, she thought to herself.

Marco cleared his throat. “Boss, we should move quickly. The informants won’t wait forever.”

Adrian’s grip didn’t loosen, but he started walking, dragging Rhea with him. She had no choice but to keep up.

By the time Adrian and Rhea descended the grand staircase, the main hall was already buzzing with movement. Marco stood near the entrance, checking his gun, while a few other trusted men waited outside near the SUVs with loaded guns as well.

Luca, Adrian’s younger brother, leaned lazily against a pillar, swirling a glass of whiskey. He looked up as they approached, his gaze going between Adrian and Rhea with surprise.

“Well, this is new,” Luca mused. “Taking the new wife out for a little family bonding?”

Neither of them replied.

Luca smirked, taking a slow sip before setting his glass down. “Or is she coming so she can beg you to spare whoever you’re about to kill?”

Adrian’s expression remained unreadable, but the next words he said landed like a bullet.

“Let me show this bitch how I handle my enemies.”

Rhea’s jaw clenched at the words, fear ran through her.

Luca smirked, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “Try not to break her too soon, brother. She is, after all, your wife.” He said sarcastically.

Adrian ignored him, pulling Rhea along as they stepped outside.

The black SUV was already waiting, Marco standing by the door.

“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on.” Rhea finally found her voice and her stubbornness came into action

Adrian turned to her, his grip tightening. “You don’t ask questions. You obey.”

Rhea lifted her chin and maintained her stance on the ground.

“I am not one of your men.” Her voice was soft but firm.

Adrian felt his cock twitch. And he caught himself wanting to rip her clothes off and have her right there.