I waited until she reluctantly reached for the gown before I turned my back to her, indulging her desire for modesty. Eventually, she’d surrender herself to me fully, and her body would be mine to admire and play with whenever I pleased. I was content to toy with my bride for a while longer.

13. Nora

Chapter 13

Nora

The nightmare was happening all over again, but it was so much worse this time. It’d been awful enough when Luca had kidnapped me and forced me into marriage. This time, a madman held my hands in his as the officiant droned his way through the wedding ceremony. We stood in a cavernous dining room, a space large enough to host several dozen guests, but not as large as the ballroom where I’d married Luca. Despite the vastness of the room—empty save for a handful of witnesses, the officiant, Dante, and me—the ivory walls seemed to press in on me, the gilding on the intricate crown molding glittering at the edges of my wavering vision.

I blinked away the sheen of tears and slipped further behind my composed mask, trying to hide from Dante. His vibrant green eyes were keen on mine, attempting to slice straight to my soul. Despite his beauty, there was something innately disturbing about the terrifying capo with a fearsome reputation. He watched me with a stomach-churning mixture of amusement and hunger, his sharp features alight with triumph.

I was nothing more than an object to him, both a pretty trophy and vulnerable bait. This sham wedding signified his victory over Luca, and I was meant to be the key to my husband’s undoing.

I had no doubt in my mind that Luca would come for me. Not because I’d deluded myself that he had deep feelings for me, but because his pride and authority wouldn’t survive the shame of another man stealing his wife.

I can make you happy. Let me. The memory of his strange command made my eyes burn. Because even if there was no love between us, I’d softened toward my domineering husband. I’d started to dare to imagine a future of comfort and safety with him.

Now, Luca’s life was on the line because of my father’s treachery. Dante didn’t seem at all concerned at the prospect of my husband coming to take me back from him. He was ready for an assault, and he intended to make Luca suffer before he killed him.

This insane ceremony was meant to seal Luca’s fate: Dante thought he could marry me because my real husband would be dead soon.

“Do you, Elenora Ricci Vitale, take Dante Torrio to be your husband? Do you promise to obey him, honor him, and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, and in sickness and health, and be faithful to him so long as you both shall live?”