Page 19 of Revenge

She narrows her eyes to a murderous gaze.

I want to push her into complying with my demands, but I suspect she hasn’t been sufficiently tempted yet.

“You won’t leave this yacht until you’ve spread those pretty legs for me. But I understand you’re still angry. I’ll give you a week, Principessa. A week to get used to your change in husband. After that, if you’re still making me wait, I will be giving my attention to another woman.”

Dahlia looks ready to throw her food in my face. “And if…if I have let you…”

I enjoy watching Dahlia struggle to find the words, but let her off the hook. “If I have a legitimate wife, I will be faithful to her.”

I swear to Christ, I watch Dahlia’s neck grow longer, her back straighter, like a flower that just found light.

“You would be a faithful husband.” I hear disbelief in the statement.

I nod. “I just married a beautiful woman. Why would I stray?”

I know she likes my words because she flushes as she picks up her forks and resumes eating.

“I do intend to teach my wife all manner of pleasure,” I tell her casually, like sex isn’t a taboo subject at the dinner table. “I’ll find what makes her squirm.”

Dahlia squirms.

“What makes her scream.”

Her thighs clamp together.

“I’ll figure out what gets her excited and make sure she gets a dose of it every day.”

She guzzles the rest of her champagne. “That’s, um…that’s very bold of you.”

“It’s not bold for a man to want to keep his wife satisfied. I will provide for you, Dahlia. Keep you in the same manner you’ve become accustomed to living. I’ll give you what you need in bed and be faithful to you.”

I say nothing of my own satisfaction for the moment. Once she’s surrendered herself to me, I will make my demands. Until then, she requires a lighter touch.

“Naturally, I expect the same respect in return. You touch another man, and he dies. Remember that before you curse a man to his death.”

Dahlia

Antonio gives me a chilling smile, and a shiver runs up my spine at his threat.

I believe him. I believe this man is a killer. I shudder to think of the crimes he's committed. The darkness that surrounds him.

And he wants my name to be attached to his for the rest of our lives.

No, thank you.

No way.

I have to find a way out of this.

I toss my napkin over the plate and stand. My dramatic exit is diminished greatly by the fact that I’m naked and, therefore, have nowhere to go.

But my suitcase should’ve been brought to the yacht yesterday in preparation for our honeymoon. I pull open one of the drawers and find my clothing neatly folded and put away. I pull out a pair of panties.

Antonio tsks. “We’re working on obedience, Principessa. I didn’t say you could wear panties.”

I’m too cowed by him at the moment to put up a fight, so instead, I throw the panties on the floor like a spoiled child and stalk into the bathroom.

I could use a shower, anyway.