Page 41 of Captured Innocence

“For the time being, she’s my daughter,” he barked. The man had no idea the kind of mistake he’d just made.

Sophia gasped, struggling to get out of his hold. “Let me go!”

After yanking his arm away, he acted as if he would dare attempt to defy me. That’s when I yanked her from his grasp. “Don’t do it,” I told him, glaring into his eyes.

He was enraged but took a deep breath, finally backing down.

The horrified gasps from other guests almost made me laugh.

To the man’s credit, he turned around, throwing out his arms. “Just a little disagreement. Please, enjoy the party.” He immediately grabbed a drink, acting as if the tussle had never happened.

Sophia hissed, keeping her voice down. “What did you just do?”

“What was necessary, my princess. No man will ever treat a woman that way in my presence.”

“I hate you, Mattia. I thought you were different but you’re nothing but a violent man with a desire for blood. What did I see in you?”

“Everything you craved, bellissima principessa.”

“Never. Don’t fool yourself, Mattia. I was just fulfilling a need. I assure you that you’ll never touch me again.”

“We shall see about that, princess.”

I’d never known obsession until now. The strange sensations that were tearing through me were uncomfortable. The dark cravings. The unrequited need, one so intense that I knew they’d never be sated. The longing for her had already furrowed into my blood, weaving a strangled set of vines that would eventually consume every inch of my soul.

Sophia had no idea what she’d unleashed with her gift. But there was no going back.

When I looked in her direction, she disappeared into the shadows. I took a deep breath, raking my hand through my hair. Then I made her a silent promise, one I had full intentions of keeping.

Don’t worry, my bellissima principessa. Soon, I will make good on my promise and when I do, I’ll make you my queen.

CHAPTER 13

Sophia

Mattia.

Strong.

Gorgeous.

Sensual.

Monster.

Jesus Christ. The man was psychotic, his violent tendencies making him nothing more than a feral animal. And every ounce of my being had been affected by the venom. I needed a cure or I’d lose more than just my virtue.

That’s the way I needed to think about him. I was still reeling from what my beautiful sister had told me, that this man was the reason for all her heartache, the loss of the only man she believed she could ever love. The real reason she’d only been home two or three times in several years was because she couldn’t relive the memories of the horrific fire.

Or the fact our father had done nothing substantial to either stop the fire from occurring nor had he insisted the perpetrators be captured.

A horrible knot remained in my stomach, my mind still trying to grasp onto the news. He’d acted as if he owned the entire world as well as claiming me for his queen. Was the bastard out of his mind? He had to be if he believed I would ever consider being with him on a permanent basis. And here he stood in all his decadent glory, basking in the limelight of the Five Families, determined to become king of the world.

Whatever business he’d entered into with my father had been sealed with a handshake, a quick smile, and a glance in my direction.

“Are you okay?” Celeste asked from beside me.

“I am perfectly fine.” I smiled as sweetly as possible, allowing my anger to creep to the surface.