“Then I need time,” Vincenzo said. “A week or two with her will be enough to know who she is.”
That should have eased me, yet it gnawed at me instead. His words felt dangerous. Often, I caught his eyes on me, lingering too long, his mouth curling into a smirk as if he enjoyed watching me squirm. His father controlled everything in thishouse; that much was clear. But there was something else in Vincenzo. He looked more calculating, and I had to admit it scared me.
The dinner went on in silence. I barely tasted the food. My mind stayed on Vincenzo. First, he had insisted the wedding must happen here in Italy, and now he was demanding time so he could get to know me. Not that it wasn’t to my advantage, but it unsettled me.
When dinner ended, I excused myself and returned to my room. I had no phone. That had been part of the plan. If we wanted Leonid to believe the plan, I had to act as though Rodion still saw me as someone disposable—a woman without privilege.
I had asked Carina to do a few things for me, and I knew she would, even though she was mad at me. One task was to email me updates on Rodion. The plan would count as successful if his surgery went well.
Two days went by in a blur. Most of the time, I stayed in my room since Leonid and Vincenzo seemed to have busy days. We only met at dinner, where Leonid spoke about the few people who would be invited to the event. Vincenzo didn’t seem to care.
A knock sounded at the door just after I woke from a night of nightmares. I thought it was Giulia, the maid I had grown close to, but Vincenzo stepped inside instead. I slipped off the bed, tugging at my pajamas.
“Can I help you?” I asked, my voice low and careful.
His eyes swept the room, sharp and knowing. “Comfortable, aren’t you? Strange for someone forced into this.”
I dropped my gaze, folding my hands together. Obedience was the only shield I had.
“I’m trying to figure something out,” he continued. “Because you reek of something suspicious, and I will uncover it soon.”
My head stayed low. I didn’t move, but I noticed him approaching, his shoes edging closer. My heart raced, each thudlouder than the last.
“Look at me,” he said. When I hesitated, his fingers gripped my chin, forcing me to lift my gaze. His eyes weren’t cold, but he was curious. “There is a reason my father is forcing this wedding,” he said, his voice lowering into a hiss. “But that’s not the best part, like to know you played him.”
My stomach dropped. I blinked fast, words catching in my throat. “I... don’t know what—”
“Shhh.” His breath brushed my cheek. “Calm down. You’re interesting. That’s why I wanted an Italian wedding. I’m going to dig information out of you.”
This was bad.
He smiled then, leaning in so close I could smell cigarettes. He whispered, “Just you and me, I know Rodion Konstantinov will come for you. I know you’ve grown close to him. Alessia, you are about to start a serious war between the Konstantinov Bratva and the Italians. And darling, you will burn in the middle. Your people and everyone you know will burn.”
Why was he smiling? Did he know my plans?
His thumb traced my jawline, making my skin crawl. “I can’t wait to see this,” he whispered. “The moment he sets foot in Italy, you will understand why I brought you here. What better way to defeat him?”
“I don’t know anything,” I whispered, tears blurring my sight. “But your father promised to protect my family.”
“Oh, did he?” His smile thinned. “Why? What is so valuable that you are giving to that old man?”
I looked away, biting back a sob. Vincenzo didn’t know his father was using this marriage to make it seem the child would be his. When in truth, it would be all for Leonid. But what I didn’t understand was, didn’t Vincenzo know he was sterile? None of it added up.
“Don’t worry,” he said smoothly. “Just as long as you doeverything I say, my father won’t know the little tricks you pulled.”
His hand slid lower, brushing my neck, trailing down to my chest. My breath stuttered.
“I won’t lie,” he murmured. “Rodion is right to want you. You have it all.”
I tried to step back, but he caught my waist, drawing me against him. The force knocked the air out of me.
“One more thing, Tesoro,” he said, his eyes fixed on mine. “I’ll keep you safe as long as you follow my lead. Do I make myself clear?”
Nodding was the only answer I could give.
“Very well.” He released me, the ghost of his touch still burning on my skin. “Get ready, we are going out.” He looked me up and down. “You smell good, by the way.”
His cocky smile lingered as he turned and walked out, leaving the door ajar.