Page 16

She looks at me like she wants to punch me which doesn’t surprise me.

Her father is dead, if I hadn’t taken her, someone else would have. And no one protects what’s mine like I do.

The car pulls through a set of towering iron gates, widening up a long treelined driveway towards the compound. There’s a huge mansion in the middle and smaller buildings at the side and the back of it. The place is a fortress, one my grandfather built. My home. And soon, hers.

She shifts uneasily, taking it all in.

“You can let me go,” she tries, her voice softer now, almost pleading. “I won’t tell anyone. I’ll just disappear. You’ll never have to see me again.”

I reach over and brush my fingers along a stray lock of hair that fallen against her cheek. She stiffens like I’ve struck her.

“I don’t want you to disappear, Cassandra,” I murmur. “I want you exactly where you are.”

Right here, with me.Mine. She jerks away from my touch, breathing hard. She has no idea how much I enjoy her trying to fight. Especially since it won’t change a thing. The car slows to a stop in front of the main building.

Luca gets out to open my door. I step out, then turn and offer Cassandra my hand. She glares at it like it’s a sake about to strike.

“Cassandra,” I say quietly, “You can walk in, or I can carry you.”

Her eyes burn into mine, pure defiance. For a second, I think she’s going to make me drag her inside. But then she shoves my hand away and climbs out herself, chin high, shoulders back. Pride welling in that tiny, furious frame. I stare at her as she walks in front of me.

“She’s going to be a lot of trouble, boss,” Luca mutters beside me.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

The woman is exactly as I expected her to be. She’s going to be perfect for the role I would have her play in my life.

Meeting her, talking to her has only solidified my decision in choosing to make her mine.

I fall into step beside her, close enough that I feel her bristle but not so close she bolts. Small mercies.

The front door swings open before we even reach it, one of the guard nodding in silent respect as we pass. Cassandra looks up at the massive entryway- dark wood, vaulted ceilings, floors so polished you could see your own grim expression looking back at you.

“This way,” I say, steering her through the foyer.

She doesn’t move until I brush the small of her back with my hand. She goes rigid but obeys, following me down the wide hall.

“This is your home now,bella,” I say, “You’ll get used to it.”

“Not likely,” she mutters under her breath.

I let the comment go. For now.

A woman steps out of a side hallway, silver haired, sturdy, her shar eyes softening the moment she sees us.

“Renata,” I say. “This is Cassandra.”

Cassandra blinks, like she can’t quite process what’s going on. Renata offers her a warm smile, her accent lilting. She has a motherly air around her, calming. Which is to be expecting considering she practically raised me and my siblings.

“Welcome, dear. If you need anything, food, snacks, drinks, anything at all, you come find me. I’ll come take care of you.”

“Thank you,” Cassandra says, her tone softer than it has been since she met me.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. I want you to be comfortable here. Don’t let Damien frighten you too much. If he’s causing you any trouble, you come find me. Okay, Cassandra?”

I roll my eyes at that. The last thing I want to do give her more reasons to hate me. No need to start our marriage off on such a bad start.

“It’s Cassie. I prefer being called Cassie.”