Page 58 of Wounded King

"I'm sorry," I repeat, feeling miserable.

"Don't be." His eyes are cold when he looks at me sideways. "If you're waiting for me to try to talk you into changing your mind, that won't happen. You're an adult, you know what you're doing." His voice is as icy as his expression. "Let's go."

I follow him like a beaten puppy. That cold stare of his chokes my throat. Just a few minutes ago, my head was resting on his chest, and he brushed the hair from my eyes like I was something precious. The loss of what could have been hits me hard. I remind myself that this is what I'd have to look at in a week or a month from now when he decides to dump me, like he did Mina, and tell myself it's better that it happens now, before my heart is completely lost to him. Because if I allowed that to happen, that stare would break me into a thousand pieces.

"If it were just me… I have family who count on me…" I try to explain as we step out into the small hallway where his guards hold watch over the private elevator. Marcello doesn't say anything, just waits for the doors to open, and we enter.

Funny, the space didn't seem that small earlier.

"Please don't be mad." I try again.

"What do you want, Violet?" The only thing betraying his perfect composure is how hard his hand moves through his hair, mussing it. I remember how good it felt running my fingers through his thick mane. "Do you want absolution? Fine. Here it is. You don't want to date a mafia boss. I understand. Happy?" He doesn't even look at me. Not once. Like I'm already gone. "You made your choice. I'm just driving you there."

His voice is cutting my heart like a scalpel through flesh. His cold eyes aren't even looking at me any longer, and he's standing as far from me as he can get.

The silence is hard to bear, and the ride down never felt that long, but finally the doors open, and like the gentleman he is, he waves me forward to go first. But his usual warmth is completely missing.

He walks out right behind me, and the elevator doors slide shut after us with a quiet hiss. It sounds like a goodbye. Like something sealing shut.

I wonder if I'll ever be allowed past those doors again.

Tears gather in the corner of my eyes. But I stare straight ahead, refusing to blink. Afraid that if I do, the tears will fall. And if they fall, I don't know if I'll stop. I don't understand how he can be so goddamn cold?

What did you expect, Vi? Him to fall on his knees beggingyouto stay?

No, of course not.

I didn't.

Or did I?

I don't even know anymore. All I know is that I don't like this icy treatment from him. I remind myself of the thousand pieces he'd break my heart into if this happened a month from now.

I'm not sure that's any solace. It feels pretty shattered right now. I don't think I've ever felt this wretched in my life.

The next morning…

I transfer a large amount of money into Violet's account. Payment for services rendered. It doesn't help to make me feel any better. She ended things. Ended things!

She did!

Nobody has ever broken up with me before.

I don't think she has the slightest idea what she did to me, the slap in the face she delivered when she got out of bed, declaring thatthis,us, was a mistake. Who the hell does she think she is?

Does she have any idea that she is the first woman I've ever allowed to sleep inmybed? Who I fucked inmybed? Who Iwantedto spend the night with?

For the hundredth time, I run my hand through my hair. For such a little thing, she sure has burrowed under my skin and turned my mind upside down. I should be thinking about who the fuck is trying to kill me, not a slip of a girl, who… fucking broke up withme!

The worst thing is that I know she likes me. I know she desires me as much as I desire her. So what the fuck?

In the light of morning, with some of the fury dissolved, I'm able to think a little bit clearer. A little. She was hurt and almost killed in the hospital because of me. She is a civilian! I repeat that word a few times. A civilian. She doesn't understand our lives. For a moment, I entertain the thought that maybe it would be better to let her go. For her.

But then I remember who I am. I am Marcello Orsi. I'm the head of an empire that I built with my own two hands. The heir to another that my father doesn't want to leave. In life,wantonly matters if you have the power to make it happen. My little nurse has no idea who she just told no. But she'll learn. I don't let go of what belongs to me. And she belongs to me. She has been mine from the moment her voice penetrated my mind in the hospital.

She can have a day or so to cool her jets; I'll give her that much. But then I'll be after her—if she doesn't come to her senses first.

Right now, I have a shit ton of other things to worry about. There is still the small matter to be cleared up on who tried to kill me. Not once, but three times.