Page 25 of Sinister Vows

“Mr. Capasso,” Molly curtseyed at the door, then walked to the center of the rug and folded her hands in front of her. She’d been employed here at the estate for years now and she was always reliable and respectful, which was why even at a young age, she was promoted to head maid and my wife’s right hand.

“Tell me, how is Arianna?”

“She’s not improving, Sir,” she voiced her concern sternly and I respected her for it, even if the news was unsettling.

“Explain.”

“She hasn’t eaten since yesterday morning. Her hand is still tender and ailing her, and she just sits in the chair by the window and stares out at the grounds, Sir. I think she’s depressed or in shock or something worse.”

I felt that familiar tightness in my chest that had taken root since meeting Arianna and bristled at the implications of it. “The doctor will return this evening to check on her hand again,” I said in avoidance of the emotional update and Molly stiffened at my brush off. “I’ll go see her in a moment.”

“Very well, Mr. Capasso.” She nodded again and then walked out of my office, obviously finding my response lacking. She cared for my wife, and not just because she was employed to physically see to her needs. My wife had wormed her way into the young maid’s heart, in the few days that she was here.

“Capa,” Matteo walked back in as Molly left. “The shipment has arrived at the warehouse; it needs to be verified.”

I slid my hand into my pants pocket and walked towards him, “Then go see it’s verified.” I slapped his shoulder as I passed him. “I’m needed here today. Report back as soon as you arrive and take inventory.”

He cocked his head a bit but decided agreeing was better than arguing and nodded. “Yes, Sir.”

He was more than capable of taking the shipment in, I had just never allowed him to do it without me being present. Not because I didn’t trust him or anything, but because I was simply a control freak that needed to have my hands in every pot all at once.

But right now, I needed to get to the bottom of my wife’s unhappiness. And maybe laying eyes on her firsthand would ease some of the anxiety inside of me. It felt like I was a teenager who had their first taste of a high and couldn’t think of anything else but when they were going to get that rush again, even if they knew it was bad for them.

And Arianna was very, very bad for me.

Ididn’tknock;itwas my bedroom after all.

My wife paid me no attention as I walked into the space she had occupied since saying her vows. I locked the door behind me and watched her small frame curl around itself at the window where Molly had said she’d be. She wore a pink silk robe that only came to mid-thigh and her pink painted toenails matched almost perfectly where they poked out in front of her.

I didn’t allow Molly to bring Arianna’s luggage in from the guest room that she used the first night she was in residence at Armarow Estate. Because I was the worst kind of bastard that only intended to use Arianna Rosetti to serve my own selfish needs. I handpicked a handful of lingerie from her room and a few silk robes for her to wear. Nothing else.

Again, because I was a bastard. I wanted her uncomfortable and to know that I was in control of everything, including her comfort. I wanted her to know I was the boss.

First, I needed to see to my own needs that were building inside of me. Unfortunately, they were directly connected to her and her well-being.

So I came bearing gifts with my visit. I had a platter of food in my hands and set it down on the table next to the window cushion before sitting next to her.

She finally turned her eyes in my direction and then looked at the platter before looking back out of the window without a word.

“Why haven’t you eaten?” I asked her, trying for calmness I didn’t feel.

“I’m not hungry,” She replied.

“It’s been nearly thirty-six hours since you’ve eaten last Arianna.”

“I didn’t realize you were a nursemaid.” She rebutted and I smirked at the sass in her tone.

“I didn’t realize you were pathetic enough to starve yourself just to get my attention.” She turned on me with fire in her eyes and her mouth open ready to flail me up one side and down the other with her sharp tongue, but she stopped when she saw the smirk on my face. “Well now that I actually have your attention.” I raised one eyebrow at her, and she clenched her teeth, “Tell me the real reason you aren’t eating.”

“I told you-” She argued and I held my hand up silencing her.

“No lies, Little One. Ever.” I stared pointedly at her, “Lies are one thing I will not tolerate from you.”

“Is that so?” She tilted her chin up and looked down her nose at me, “Because the list of things I can’t stand about you is at least as long as my arm.”

“A truth, I’m sure.” I mused and picked up an elegantly sliced strawberry off the platter before holding it out between us. “How about this, for every piece of food you eat, I’ll give you something.”

Her nostrils flared as she looked at the ripe berry clutched in my fingers, and she swallowed.