I didn’t like it. As much as I wanted her obedience, I preferred when the harpy was sniping at me, not this pretty doll in my arms.

I hate you. The memory of her venomous words poisoned my thoughts, and I frowned down at her.

The sign of my displeasure had no effect; not a single muscle on her serene face so much as twitched. It was unnerving. Disturbing. It was like she wasn’t even here with me.

I firmed my arm around her waist, and she swayed toward me without hesitation, allowing me to lead our dance. There wasn’t so much as a flicker of heat in her eyes, and not even a spark of lust passed between us. So different from our combustible chemistry in our bed last night.

My frown deepened.

I’d told her that her own happiness was her choice, but I found that I didn’t want her to hate me. I didn’t want to share a life with a woman who loathed me. She’d been enraged by my insistence that she accept the birth control shot, but I’d only been protecting our family.

I hardened my resolve. I would do what was necessary to keep her safe, whether she liked it or not.

We’d only been married for a day. She would soften with time, especially if I continued to flood her body with ecstasy every night. We would never love one another—that was an impossibility—but I would make her happy.

In that moment, I decided that I wouldn’t give her choice, after all. My new challenge, my new purpose in life, was to make my wife blissfully content to be mine. I would have everything I wanted: my birthright and a family. She would give me an heir.

Of course I’ll love my child, even if his father is a monster.

I struggled to keep the scowl from my face. Yes, I could be monstrous with my enemies, but never with her. I wouldn’t repeat my father’s sins.

The song changed, and other guests drifted onto the dancefloor to join us. We’d performed our part. It was time for me to do the far more important work of securing my birthright. I would have to talk to Nora’s father and pretend that I didn’t want to kill the traitorous bastard.

I placed her hand on my forearm and led her away from the dancers, toward the head table where my father sat with Giuseppe. Dad was beaming at me, clearly pleased with my choice of bride. I’d married his best friend’s daughter; why wouldn’t he be happy?

He had no idea about his consigliere’s treachery. It’d taken all of his strength to come downstairs for this reception. I wouldn’t deliver an emotional blow that might stop his failing heart.

We came to a stop across the table from my father and Giuseppe, and their attention immediately fixed on us. Giuseppe’s eyes blazed at the sight of his daughter at my side, but the older man made no other move to express his impotent rage. I’d bested him, and he would have to accept his new reality. One day soon, he would serve me, and Dante would be eliminated.