Page 41 of House of Lies
I don’t have a heart to break, but if I had one, she’d be the one I’d give this power to. Something shifted inside me when she confessed she could’ve loved me.
She could love me.
I focus on that.
I know that wasn’t a lie. She blurred the lines so much that she can’t distinguish between the truth and lies anymore and slips from time to time. I don’t know if she knows it or not.
Mattia will never lay a hand on this woman again. Hell, he won’t ever lay his eyes on her again. Because she’s fucking mine.
“You look?—”
???????????.
“Too much? Not enough?”
“Stunning.” I finally find the world I need in a language that won’t give me away.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.”
I’m wearing a black suit, with no drop of color on my body. She’s all the color I need. I stretch my hand for her to take when she gets to the last step, the touch sending a shiver down my spine. What I feel for her goes beyond obsession. Vanya and Sevastyan still think that this is a crush, like I’m a fucking teenager who doesn’t know what he wants. I don’t need their approval. Neither has a higher rank than I do, apart from Dedushka. It didn’t sit well with my uncle when I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and take what was rightfully mine, but he stepped away when my grandpa asked. He will always resent me for it.
“Stop biting your lip, Caelia. It takes all my willpower not to fuck you right here.”
She lets go of the bottom lip she’s been biting, her green eyes luring me. I’ve been attracted to women before, but it wore off quickly. Caelia awakened in me a need to protect her so fiercely, it’s engraved in my soul and bones. I’d do anything to keep her safe. She started giving me little pieces of her soul without even realizing it. I cherish all the moments in which she talks about her childhood, when her life was still worth living. I want to give her that again. A reason to enjoy life. By my side.
“It would be such a pity to ruin this dress.” She smiles, caressing my arm.
Her hand stops on the side of my neck. She leans in to kiss me, a chaste touch on my lips. Grabbing the back of her hair, I pull her closer, groaning displeased. I’m seriously considering not attending the charity ball, although I know it’s essential. Ermanno and all his men will be there to discuss business. I also don’t think I could explain my absence. Staying home to fuck my wife won’t be a reason good enough for Ermanno. I kiss her so profoundly that she needs to take a step back to breathe again. I can’t let go.
“You’re so in for it when we get home, Wildfire.”
Her eyes snap to mine every time I call her that. I have felt her anger and hatred toward Mattia. I’m not questioning that. But she doesn’t hate me. She can’t.
“Are you wearing anything under that dress?” I lick my upper lip, smirking at her confused look.
“Yes. My husband warned me about walking around without underwear. I don’t want to drive him mad.”
I go down on one knee in front of her.
“He’s already mad, baby,” I say as I slip my hands under her silky dress.
She’s wearing a garter on her thigh. My woman is armed with my knife. I forgot about it when I threw it away, but she didn’t. She even stole the leather sheath without me noticing. Smirking, I drag her panties down her hips. They weren’t doing her much good, anyway. They’re black, lacy, and thin.
“What are you doing?”
“These are mine.” I sniff them before I pocket them, causing her to look horrified.
“Have you lost your mind? Give them back!”
I will remember to tell Mattia that he didn’t break her. Hell, he didn’t even bend her as much as I initially thought. I admire her for always standing up to me and for gathering the courage to sleep with me after all he did, without being afraid of me. He didn’t have to own her. Caelia is the kind of woman who willingly offers her strength to those she loves.
“You can have them back when we return home.”
“They won’t do me much good then, will they?”
“Be good for me, and I’ll use them to tie you up.”
She rolls her eyes, a spark of excitement twinkling in her eyes. I offer my arm and guide her toward the exit. My brother has many faults, but his taste on cars is not one of them. Domenico waits for us in front of the mansion, where the red Maserati is parked. Matteo is a flashy bastard.