After cutting the call with Dante, I can’t even hide the smile on my face. One whole night with Rosa.
I pour myself a scotch and sit on the far end of the couch. As I pick up the remote, Maria looks up from her phone.
“I’m watching that, leave it on.” Her nasally voice makes my skin crawl.
I pause the program, ‘How to Get Away With Murder’, and smirk at her. “Planning something are we?”
She cackles. “I wouldn’t have any problem getting away with it.”
I exit Netflix and she grumbles under her breath. I flick over to boxing. One of our up-and-coming guys, Jax, the King of Chaos, is fighting tonight. We managed to get him the pre-fight card. The next one, he’ll be the main event. He has a pure hunger for blood.
I check the time on my Rolex. Nine pm. I sent Dante to the fight with Jax as part of security and to deal with the underground gambling side tonight. Before now, I would never have dreamt of giving someone new this kind of job.
But it keeps him away from Rosa.
Which means I get to see her.
She’s my addiction. I can’t go weeks without seeing her, without tasting her. I need her. But with each time I see her, I fall harder and deeper in love with her. I can’t help it. Not that I’d even want to try to stop this.
Mom is right. She was meant for me.
I rub my palms against my pants.
Fuck it. I’m done waiting.
I stand and toss the remote at Maria.
“Where are you going?” she snaps.
I look back as she stands up, hand on her hips, glaring at me with hatred.
“What makes you think I’m going anywhere?” I slip my car keys into my pocket.
“You have been acting weird all day. Like an excited kid.”
She frowns at me, and I laugh. “Must be all the wedding talk. Got me all giddy.”
I push myself away from the counter and brush past her. Her hand grabs my forearm, and I grit my teeth and turn to her, looming over her.
I flick my gaze up and down her and her ridiculously short little night dress and those lips that look like they’re about to explode off her face.
“Can I help you?” I keep my stare pinned on her hand, with my diamond glaring back at me on her finger.
She bats her lashes and sadistically grins at me. I swear she’s possessed sometimes.
“You know…” She runs a long fingernail up my arm.
It makes the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up. “Spit it out.”
“We are going to have to consummate our marriage.” She pouts her already ridiculous lips until they look like two balloon animals fucking under her nose.
I keep my face straight. We won’t, because the Capris will be six feet under by my wedding night. But the thought makes me shiver. I don’t think I’ve ever slept with anyone this vile.
She unwraps her hand and brings her pointy nail to my chest, biting down on her bottom lip as she trails it down my shirt.
“What in the fuck are you doing?” I snatch her hand before she can reach my belt.
There’s only one woman on this planet who can touch me. And I’m on my way to show her.
“We should practice. We’ve barely even kissed. I have needs, Luca.”
I physically shiver in disgust.
I bring my lips to her cheek and brush along her jaw. She lets out a shaky breath as I whisper, “I’d rather cut my own cock off. Find someone else.”
Shaking off her hand, I back away. She stares at me open mouthed.
“Fuck you.” Her eyes narrow into pinpoints of darkness.
“Still pass,” I call out as I slam my door shut.
Her dad might hold the ultimate card to keeping me in line, but this woman doesn’t. I’m doing everything he asked, so he’s happy with business. I have built an entire army ready for war. I just have one more fight to deal with to have it all. And Maria won’t stop me, no one will.
