Page 30 of The Serpent's Bride
She glared. “A moment of weakness doesn’t define me.”
“No,” I agreed. “But the moment you break will.”
“I’m never giving you what you want,” she hissed.
“It’s not up to you,” I reminded her. “It’s happening one way or another. What did you think would happen? Even if you run away, I’ll have you brought back. Then, I’ll punish you.”
“You can’t force me to marry you,” she said, stronger this time.
“Oh, I won’t be forcing you,” I said. “You’ll come willingly.”
Her eyes flashed with rage. “I’m not a body for you to abuse. You don’t get to use me for some sick breeding fantasy.”
Use. The word echoed. Something darker flickered in my chest. Not denial. Not guilt. Just a deepening desire to put Chiara Ventura on her knees.
“I don’tgetto?” I repeated softly. She held my gaze, even as her hands clenched at her sides.
“You don’t. I’m not…” Her voice caught, then hardened. “I’m not somepetyou can just order around without consequences. I’m not something you canown.”
“I own this building,” I cut in. “This city bends when I tell it to. And you thinkyou’rethe exception?”
“I know I am,” she shot back. “Don’t you think I see the way you look at me?”
I smiled. “I’m glad you noticed you make my cock throb,bellissima.”
She flushed, a soft red color spreading all over her ivory skin. God, I liked that. She was still fighting. I wanted her to submit, but it would be that much sweeter the longer it took to break her.
It almost made me regret what came next.
Almost.
“I’m giving this a year,” I said, quieter now. “That’s how long I have before everything changes.”
“And then?” she hissed. “What will you make me do next?”
“Then… Nothing. You’ll be useless to me,” I shrugged, looking down at her. “We can get a divorce… after.”
For the first time, I saw hurt register in Chiara’s expression. I didn’t show my pleasure over it, but I felt it. She was in pain because I’d just made her feel worthless. But if she truly hated me as much as she said she did… wouldn’t she just feel relief?
“How can I trust you?” she asked softly. “You’ve given me nothing so far. Why should I believe you?”
“Because you don’t have a choice,” I reminded her.
“Why me?” she demanded. “You could have any woman. Someone willing to carry your child. Anyone but me.”
The words hit. They were ugly, but honest.
I didn’t answer. Instead, I reached out. Caught her wrist firmly in my grip, but not hard enough to bruise her. She sucked in a breath, trying to pull back, but my grip tightened just enough to stop her.
Still not enough to hurt. Just enough to remind Chiara of her place.
“You’re special,” I said. “You… made me feel something. I simply couldn’t let you go after that.”
Her eyes went wide, but not with fear. Not exactly. Something closer to fury breaking open.
“I never had a choice,” she whispered. “My father took it away, and then you did. I thought my husband would be better than Papa.”
I laughed. “You thought you’d get married for love in a world like ours?”
