Page 18

“Don’t worry,cara mia. I won’t lay a hand on you … unless you ask me to.”

“Go to hell,” she spits.

“As long as you’ll go with me.”

She rolls her eyes, scoffing before looking away. her hands brush against the smooth edges of the dresser, the frame of the bed.

“You like the room, right? I asked that special care be taken in arranging it for you,” I inform her.

“It’s beautiful,” she says quietly, and then louder, colder, she adds, “Am I supposed to feel grateful?”

“No,” I say, my voice low. “It’s supposed to make you feelcomfortable.”

She faces me, chin lifted, every inch of her radiating defiance. Good, I’d hate for her to break too soon. But she will break.

“You’ll stay here tonight,” I tell her. “You can explore the house tomorrow. Since you’ve had a long day, I’ll ask that dinner be served to you here. You can enjoy a nice meal alone, take the time to get used to your new reality.”

She crosses her arms, “And if I don’t?”

I step closer, close enough that she has to tilt her head back to meet my gaze.

“You don’t want an answer to that question, Cassandra. You’re beautiful and full of light. I’d really hate to have to snuff it all out.”

Her breath catches.

“You’re a monster,” she grits out.

“Haven’t you heard? They call me,diavolo. It means devil,bella. There’s nothing I won’t do to get what I want. And what I want from here on out is your compliance. Is that understood?”

She doesn’t move, doesn’t speak but I don’t expect her too. Without another word, I turn and leave, shutting the door behind me and trading a short look with Rafael who has been assigned to guard her door like he has been all this while. No one goes in or out without my permission.

She won’t be going anywhere either.

Luca appears beside me out of nowhere. Almost like he spawned from the shadows. I’m used to it by now though. He walks behind me as I head to my room. I can feel him holding back everything he has to say. And considering I’m not too keen on listening right now, I let him.

I’ve only reached my door when I hear footsteps approaching. I look up to find Sofia walking towards me bare foot and in a light pink nightgown. There’s a light sheen in her eyes that has my eyes narrowing. When she stumbles, my suspicions become true.

I walk up to her, wrapping a hand around her arm.

“Who gave you alcohol?” I question.

“Lighten up, big brother. I’m an adult woman and I’m allowed to drink. Plus, I’m celebrating the arrival of your new toy!” she says lifting her arms in excitement.

I frown, “She’s not a toy,mia cara. She’s to be your sister-in-law and you’ll show her respect.”

Her blue eyes narrow, “I don’t like her, Damien. I don’t want her here.”

I should have known she’d react like this. Sofia has been spoiled her entire life. She’s much younger than Dante and I. Our father shielded her from all the ills of the world. She’s sheltered and that’s made her unable to interact or approach normal human situations like most people. She usually keeps to herself and I hate that because I know she’s lonely. But she seems to prefer being on her own.

I knew she wouldn’t be accepting of Cassandra’s presence. She despises change and she really doesn’t like this nonsensical feud that our brother seems intent on upholding.

“Let’s get you to your room. Come on,” I urge gently, placing a hand on her shoulder and guiding her to the end of the hallway. She’s bleary eyed by the time we make it. I have to carry her into bed before lifting the covers over her.

“She’s not going to fit in here, Damien,” she murmurs sleepily. “She’ll hate it. You know it.”

I exhale a soft breath, “On the contrary, little sister. I think she’ll fit in perfectly.”

Her eyes fall shut and I wait until her breathing evens out before I leave the room. When I step out, Luca’s leaning on the wall waiting for me.