Page 37 of Beautiful Torment (Empire of Kings #1)

ABELLA

I wake with a groan, my temples pounding as I open my eyes and blink up at the ceiling. It takes me a moment to orient myself, and then all at once, the events of yesterday come flooding back in vivid detail.

The wedding. The tattoo. The sex. The death. And then finally—the now regrettable champagne shower.

I cringe at the vague memory of collapsing onto the bed naked.

I don’t think I even managed to pull the covers over myself.

I’m still on top of the bedspread, but it appears someone did cover me with a blanket at some point.

The space beside me is lightly indented, and I briefly wonder if Angelo slept in here with me last night.

I swallow the lump in my throat and force myself upright, glancing at the tablet on the bedside table. I use it to open the shades in the room and discover that we’re out to sea.

Next to the tablet, there’s a glass of juice and some Tylenol, along with a handwritten note. I recognize Angelo’s penmanship, the words neat and concise. He left me a message to inform me that the waterproof film on my tattoo has been changed and to leave it on for today.

I’m surprised I didn’t feel him doing that while I slept. I guess that means he probably covered me with the blanket, too.

For a moment, I find myself retracing the lines on his note with my finger. I stare at the spaces between each word, as if there might be something else there. Like why he cares if I’m sore or I get cold at night. But I’m searching for something that shouldn’t matter.

In thirty days, it won’t.

I take the pills and juice with the hope I might be somewhat functional today.

My entire body feels stiff, overworked, and overstretched.

I ache in places I didn’t even know I could.

I swing my legs over the bed and definitely feel the demolition job Angelo’s cock did to my virginity last night.

But out of everything, what hurts the most is my face.

I wander into the bathroom and grimace when I see my reflection in the mirror. My cheek is swollen and bruised where my father hit me, and so is my lip. There’s also a handprint-shaped imprint on my arm from when he forcibly dragged me down the aisle.

No amount of makeup is going to cover those marks today. On top of that, I look pretty terrible in general. My eyes are shadowed with dark circles, my hair is a rat’s nest, and my whole face is puffy from the alcohol I drank last night.

“Madonna Mia,” I mutter.

What a way to start married life. Then again, it could always be worse.

I blink rapidly and try to forget Matteo’s lifeless body. Compartmentalize. This is how we survive.

“Mrs. Vitale?” Veronica calls out from the other side of the door. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but Mrs. Scarcello requested that I ask if you’re up to having breakfast with her this morning.”

“Natalia’s here?” I turn toward the door, wondering if I heard her correctly.

“Yes,” Veronica answers, not offering further explanation. “What shall I tell her?”

“I’d like to have breakfast with her,” I agree. “Can you let her know I’ll be down in thirty minutes?”

“Of course. Do you have a preference for the menu, or would you like the chef to prepare a selection of foods?”

“The chef’s selection would be great,” I tell her, even though my stomach revolts at the thought of eating.

“Perfect. Mrs. Scarcello will join you in the al fresco dining area on the main deck when you’re ready.”

“Thank you, Veronica.”

“Is there anything else I can do for you, Mrs. Vitale?”

I hesitate for a moment. “Can you tell me where An—my husband is?”

“He’s in a business meeting in his office,” she says.

“Okay.” My head dips against the door. “Thank you. I think I’m all set.”

Her footsteps fade away, and I splash some cold water on my face, hoping to wake myself up and reduce the swelling. A quick rummage through the drawers confirms they’ve already been stocked with all my things.

I grab a hair clip and secure my hair on top of my head. Glancing over my shoulder at the mirror, I get my first peek of the tattoo beneath the transparent film. But as I examine the crest bearing the Vitale name, it’s impossible to miss the addition underneath.

Per Sempre.

Those words send a shiver down my spine. I guess he decided to leave me a permanent reminder of the promise I made to him. A vow of love and loyalty.

He couldn’t know it was my love and loyalty that made me walk away. I did it for him. And now, we’ve come full circle. Right back to where we started with the same looming problems. Angelo doesn’t yet know it, but I do. In the light of day, it’s hard to forget.

Setting those thoughts aside, I prepare for the day. Applying some light makeup, I avoid the most tender parts of my face. Then I slip on my favorite black bikini and a matching crochet dress, accessorizing with big sunglasses and an even bigger hat.

When I step outside, the sun is high in the sky, and it’s a beautiful day. We’re somewhere off the Italian coast, with sparkling blue water in every direction. I don’t know where we’re going, but if I had to guess, this is Angelo keeping up appearances.

People would talk if he didn’t take me on a honeymoon.

I make my way down to the main deck, passing a few of my new guards and several stewardesses along the way. They all greet me formally with my new last name and then go on with their day.

I find Natalia curled up on a lounge chair on the aft deck, reading a book. When I sit down beside her, I unintentionally startle her, and she clutches her chest before her shoulders shake in silent laughter.

Sorry , I sign. I didn’t mean to scare you.

She sets her book aside and shakes her head. Not your fault. I was so relaxed I almost forgot where I was.

I smile at her because it’s been a while since I’ve seen her out of mom mode. She deserves a little relaxation. Where are the kids?

Downstairs with the nanny, she signs. It’s weird to say that. I was the nanny, and now I have one. Alessio insisted I have a break and spend some time with you while he’s busy with Angelo.

Alessio’s here too?

Yes. He and Angelo have some business that apparently couldn’t wait. I hope you don’t mind that we’re here. Angelo insisted we come today and said you’d probably like the company. We flew in this morning on the helicopter.

I completely forgot there was a helipad, I admit. But I’m happy to have you here with me. How long are you staying?

We’ll leave this afternoon and spend some time in the Mediterranean before we head home.

That sounds nice. Are you chartering a vessel?

It’s one of Porta’s , she explains. I get the impression that should mean something to me, but I’m not sure what.

Natalia reads the confusion on my face and frowns.

You know, Porta d’Oro Maritime Holdings?

She offers me a sympathetic look when it still doesn’t register. It’s the charter brokerage company Angelo and Alessio own.

I blow out a breath and shrug. I don’t know anything about it.

Sorry. She winces. This is all still new for you, I suppose, after that whirlwind of a wedding.

It is, I confess.

I swear I had no idea, she tells me. I was just as shocked as you were.

I know. It’s still hard to believe myself.

It feels weird to ask if you’re okay with all of it, she says . But are you?

I consider it for a moment. I am, but… I also feel terrible. I shouldn’t be okay with it.

Is that because of how it all went down…or because of Matteo?

One look at her face confirms that she knows. Alessio told me last night. From his account, it was no loss.

I grimace at the memory, and regret passes through Natalia’s eyes.

God, I’m so sorry. I’m not saying the right thing. Sometimes I feel like this world has completely desensitized me. Of course, you have every right to be upset. You were engaged to Matteo. You were going to marry him. I didn’t mean to imply ? —

It’s okay, I assure her. I wasn’t marrying Matteo because I loved him. I just… I can’t help but feel like it’s my fault. He was trying to protect me.

None of this is your fault, Natalia insists. He’s gone because of the choices he made. Please don’t put that on yourself.

“Mrs. Vitale?” Veronica interrupts us. “Are you ready for breakfast?”

“Oh, yes… Thank you.”

“It will be out in just a moment,” she says.

Natalia rises from the lounge, and we take a seat at the table, at which point I remove my sunglasses. I don’t want to be rude, and it’s not like I can wear them all day. So I may as well get it over with.

As expected, concern etches across her face as she assesses my injuries. Did your father do this?

It’s nothing to worry about, I tell her. Just a stupid mishap.

I don’t like lying to her, but there’s no good way to tell someone your father smacks you around on occasion.

Besides that, Natalia has suffered far worse at the hands of a man.

That’s why she no longer has a voice and wears a choker around her neck to hide the scars.

Anything my father has said or done pales in comparison to what she’s been through in her life.

You know you can always talk to me , she says. About anything.

I nod and thank her, grateful when Veronica arrives with a fleet of stewardesses behind her, each of them carrying a tray.

“Here we are.”

They arrange the dishes on the table, leaving us with a spread of pastries, fruit, yogurt, cold cuts, and cheese. My stomach is still unsettled, but I grab a few selections anyway.

Natalia uses her text-to-speech app to thank them, and I echo the sentiment before they take their leave.

I pour us each a coffee, and we catch up on the plot twist that was my wedding day and life in general. Natalia is a good friend, and I’m grateful to have her here, even if it’s only for a few hours.

Do you think you could be happy with Angelo? she asks me unexpectedly. Alessio told me you two have history, but he didn’t elaborate. I don’t want to pry…It’s just, I worry about you.