Page 80 of My Sunfall

“Lucas, Lucas, Lucas,” I murmur in a soft tut of mock-disappointment. “You made me fall for your pretty face and your playboy charm. And look where it landed me.” I grab his chin and angle his face higher. “Trapped in a marriage you forced on me with that overblown sense of duty of yours.”

His jaw tightens and his breath comes out faster, but he says nothing.

“I was never meant to be the underboss’s wife,” I continue, letting contempt permeate every word. “I’ve spent my whole life dreaming bigger. I was born to be a queen, not a consolation prize.”

My finger traces the gash from his brow to his jaw, knowing it must sting. “But look at you now. What are you now without your pretty face, hmmm?” I lean in, voice dropping to a lethal whisper. “Guess what—you’re nothing. With you, I’ll always be second best. You’re dead weight, Lucas, a burden I’m done dragging around.”

He flinches, whether it’s the pain of the cut or the words, I can’t tell. His breathing turns rough, strained, but he stays silent. Then he lifts his head enough for me to see the resignation in his bruised eyes. The blue, once so vibrant, has dulled, and the look in their depths is hollow. His voice is low, like gravel scraping over broken glass. “If you’re choosing what he’s offering,” he forces out, “if that’s…what you want…then I won’t stand in your way.” He lets his head hang in defeat.

“Good,” I say simply. “Because it’s exactly what I want.”

I circle him slowly, letting my tone cut like a blade. “I was born a Mafia princess, Lucas. I was meant for more than this.”

I stop behind him. “I was never meant to live small. Or under you. And you forced me.”

My hands settle on his shoulders, barely a brush, but he stiffens under my touch. I lean closer, bringing my lips to his ear. My voice is soft and deadly.

“You want one last truth, Lucas?” I let the silence linger. “I never loved you. You were nothing more than a brief distraction.”

His shoulders tense and he swallows audibly.

“So you have nothing to say at all?” I taunt.

But he remains silent and unmoving, head hanging over his chest. After several beats of silence, I straighten, dragging my palms over his shoulders and tap them lightly before letting go.

Then I walk toward Lorenzo with a sensuous sway of my hips.

He watches me approach with smug satisfaction.

I stop in front of him, tilting my chin up. “I’ll divorce him,” I say softly. “And when it’s done…I’ll marry you.”

His eyes gleam in victory and his smile turns predatory.

“But,” I continue, letting a slow, sultry smile form, “before we talk business…I want your man out.” I trail a finger suggestively over his jacket lapel. “Let me show you how appreciative I am that you’re making me your queen.”

I lean closer, letting my breath ghost over his neck. “Let me show you how serious I am about this alliance. I’m sure”—I let my eyes drop meaningfully to his mouth—“I can…distract you from your responsibilities. Just for a little while.”

He pauses for a heartbeat, desire and ego darkening his gray eyes. Then he snaps his fingers and his guard immediately steps out of the room.

When the door clicks shut, his gaze clouds with lust and his lips curl into a wolfish grin.

I take the final step toward him, sliding my hand up his chest to his neck to pull his head down toward mine. Then I press my lips to his in a slow, sensual kiss.

Chapter Fifty-One

Lucas

“Good, because it is exactly what I want.”

Her words cleave my chest open to the point where I can’t breathe. I had forced her into this marriage, hadn’t I? I can’t fight any more, my strength is deserting me as I let my head hang in surrender. It’s a good thing I won’t be suffering for long—Lorenzo will most likely make good on his promise and end me soon. Good. The cracked rib, the wounds scattered over my body, the throb in my skull, all this doesn’t hurt as much as her words. She’s leaving me. I’ve lost. Death will be sweet, because at least I’ll have the memories of her to take with me.

Chiara circles behind me, her hands pressing down on my shoulders. She leans forward now, plastering her small body against my back.

“You want one last truth, Lucas?” she murmurs against my ear. “I never loved you.”

My whole body goes rigid and my breath stutters. I can’t believe what my mind is frantically trying to tell me. No… This can’t be. But there’s no mistake.

My beautiful, brave, reckless wife!