I was still shaking when I entered my bedroom after my first encounter with Leonard . He had been intense and cold, not to mention dominant. Ordering me to change my wardrobe? How dare he?“There you are! Where have you been?” Mom asked, ushering me toward my walk-in closet. “We need to get you ready. For God’s sake, Matilda , what are you wearing?”She tugged at my clothes until I started undressing, still in a trance. Mom gave me a curious look. “What’s with you?”“Nothing,” I said quietly.Mom turned to the selection of dresses she must have spread out on the bench before I’d arrived. “I can’t believe you don’t own a single decent dress.”I’d always avoided going to official events because I hated the insincere schmoozing and backstabbing attitude of those who attended them. “What’s wrong with the dresses I own?”Mom had chosen the three least quirky dresses from my collection. All of them were in my favorite retro Audrey Hepburn style. Mom picked up a sky-blue dress with white d
The four months until November flew by—an endless row of sleepless nights, teary tantrums, and hard workdays.On the morning of my bachelor night, I squatted in front of Luna . He was staring down at the iPad, watching a series he liked. His hair was tousled in the front and knotted in the back, but he refused to let Sybil comb it. I hadn’t had the patience to hold him while she did it. We’d have to buzz it short once the wedding was over. “Luna , I need to talk to you.”He didn’t look up. I reached for the iPad, but he twisted around. “Give it to me.”His small shoulders rounded in. It was his only reaction. I grabbed the device and pulled it away. “Soon someone will move in with us. She’ll be your new mom. She’ll take care of you and Simona.”Luna ’s face scrunched up, and he threw himself at me, pummeling my legs with his little fists. “That’s enough,” I thundered, grabbing his arms.My anger disappeared seeing tears running down his face. “Luna .”I tried to hug him to my chest, b
I waited at the front of the church for Matilda. Faro stood to my right and across from him waited one of Matilda ’s friends, who looked awfully young. A reminder of my own future wife’s age.When the music started, I turned my attention to the entrance of the church where Felix entered with Matilda at his side. She was dressed in an elegant long white dress with a long-sleeved lace top. Her hair was pulled up, except for her bangs.She was smiling slightly as her father led her toward me, but her tension was unmistakable. When she arrived in front of me, I noticed the small sunflowers woven into her hair and bridal bouquet. Her eyes met mine, and for a moment I caught the hint of defiance in them, surprising me. Then her father handed her to me, and Matilda became tenser, her smile wavering.She looked marginally older thanks to the makeup and her elegant dress. Still, her fine-boned, clammy hand in mine and the innocence in her eyes reminded me of her age.Despite her youth, sh
I could hardly force food down my tight throat during dinner. Leonard didn’t talk to me, only to his father and Luca. I sat beside him like arm candy.Maybe it was for the best. Every time he’d talked to me so far, he ordered me around and intimidated me only more. Considering that I’d have to share a bed with him tonight, I preferred his silence. The chances of me passing out were high anyway.I slanted a look at Leonard . His facial features were attractive in an edgy way. Sharp cheekbones, a strong jaw, and the dark stubble. I’d never seen him in less than a three-piece suit, but his muscles were unmistakable.“My brother played football in high school,” Mia whispered, surprising me. I hadn’t said much to her yet. We were strangers, despite being sisters-in-law, not to mention she was ten years older than me.Heat rose into my cheeks, realizing she must have noticed me staring at Leonard . I co
After the dance with my brother, I wanted nothing more than to find a quiet corner to get a grip, but Leonard ’s father limped toward me.I gave him a smile as my brother slinked away after a curt nod. Mr. Moretti held out his hand. “Will you give this old man the honor of dancing with the bride?”“Of course, Mr. Moretti,” I said with a small curtsy.“Mansueto, please. We’re family now.”I nodded and took his hand, wondering how this was going to work with his cane. He smiled wistfully. “We’ll have to dance in one spot if you’re all right with that, young lady.”Again, I nodded and stepped a bit closer. He handed his cane to a man I didn’t know and lightly touched my back. Then we began to sway to the music.“You’re very quiet. From what I hear, you’re not a quiet girl.”My cheeks heated, wondering who had given him that piece of information. Christian? Definitely not my mother.Mansueto’s eyes were kind, but like his son, his reputation was chilling. “My son’s reputation makes me pr
Her eyes widened, those red lips falling open. “I… I’m not… I…” She bit her lower lip and looked away. The moonlight highlighted her smooth skin, unblemished and soft-looking.“Will you look at me?”She raised her eyes. I ran my thumb over her fingers to the ring, and she shivered slightly. “This ring makes you mine.”She tensed, and I realized I should have chosen different wording, something that didn’t sound like I was a Neanderthal about to claim her, not that it wasn’t true. I would claim her tonight, if only to follow traditions we both couldn’t evade, and she was mine, but that wasn’t what I meant to say. I wasn’t sure what to say to set her at ease. Nine and I hadn’t talked much. She’d screamed or cried and sometimes talked sweetly when she wanted something.“Tradition binds us, Matilda . Not just you, but also me.”I’d sworn to protect her, like a husband was supposed to protect his wife, and I would do my best to do a better job this time.“I know of our traditions,” she s
Her voice tore through my rising arousal. “Of course.”The gruffness in my voice made Matilda risk a glance up at my face. Then she hurried into the bathroom. Terrifying my young wife before I had to claim her was a fucking stupid thing to do.Loosening my tie, I walked over to the bench and sank down. My wedding ring, similar to my last one, seemed to mock me. I set my tie down beside me, listening to the sound of running water. Matilda would need patience and care. I had never had much of either to begin with. Since the mess with Nine , even less than before. I propped my arms up on my thighs, trying to reach a state of mind that would allow me to treat my young wife right. I didn’t want her to resent me.The door opened, drawing my attention to it and Matilda . She wore a dark blue silk nightgown that reached her knees and hugged her slender frame. Her hair fell down her shoulders in soft brown curls, freed of the too-cute sunflowers. Matilda didn’t move from her spot in the
Anger surged through me. I moved over her, bracing myself beside her shoulders. Her hands came up as if to ward me off, soft palms pressing against my chest. Her eyes widened, and she darted them to my pecs, her fingers shaking against me.“Listen up. You’re right, you’ll be the one who’ll experience discomfort, but I can guarantee you that being bratty about it doesn’t help. If you work with me, it’ll be better.”“It’s not just the pain. Until this moment, men were allowed to kiss my hand or dance with me at social gatherings, nothing more. And now you’re here, over me, half naked, and I’m half naked, and soon we’ll both be naked, and you’re going to…” She sucked in a deep breath.“I know,” I said quietly. “Don’t start to cry.”She drew her lower lip between her teeth. After a moment, she said firmly. “I won’t cry.” Then she peered up at me. “Why do you care? You’ve seen worse than someone crying.”I had. Far worse, and I hadn’t given a shit. But Matilda was young, too young, and m