The devil you begged for

017

ISLA

~•~

The murderous intent in the stranger’s eyes was clear. He was a made man. These men hated being embarrassed without caring if they deserved it or not. I had warned him not to touch me yet he did it anyway. Now he was mad that I reacted.

I could never understand men.

“You stupid–“

Before he could lunge at me, Lorenzo was there. I hadn’t even seen him move. One second, he was across the room. Next, he was gripping the man’s arm.

“Careful.” Lorenzo’s voice was calm as always. “You don’t want to finish that sentence.”

The man tried to pull his arm away but Lorenzo didn’t budge. By now, every single person was staring at us, most likely wondering if a fight was going to break out. If it did, it was going to be bloody. I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to be the reason the event turned into a gunfight.

It seemed like Lorenzo didn’t share the same sentiments as I did. He leaned in close, his words low enough for me and the stranger to catch, but loud enough for the nearest tables to hear. “You might be forgetting yourself. She’s mine.”

Heat crept up my neck.

Mine. He’d said it like I was his property, just like his cars and guns. And nobody questioned it.

Lorenzo finally released the man who stumbled back, rubbing his wrist with narrowed eyes. For a second, I thought he wasn’t going to let it go, but one glance at Lorenzo and he backed off, retreating into the crowd without another word.

The silence broke and whispers spread amongst the crowd, eyes flicking between me and Lorenzo.

He turned toward me. I expected him to be angry after the scene I just caused, but he wasn’t. He wasn’t even annoyed.

“Dolcezza,” he said softly, tilting his head. “You certainly know how to make an entrance.”

“I didn’t–“

He placed a finger under my chin, tilting my head so I had no choice but to meet his eyes. The whole room could see us and I was certain that was exactly why he did.

“Don’t apologize,” he murmured as if I was about to apologize anyway. “You did perfectly fine. No one will forget this night.” He held my hand, the one I used to slap the man, and massaged it gently. “I hope your hand doesn’t hurt.”

I snatched my hand away from him, my stomach twisting. This was exactly what he wanted. My outrage. It wasn’t a coincidence. It was a strategy. He had paraded me around all night and now, he had finally branded me as his.

And I helped him.

Conversations picked up gradually, but this time, it was more hushed than before. People were still watching us from the corner of their eyes.

“Shall we?” Lorenzo offered me his arm. When I stared at it for too long, he added. “Don’t test me, Isla. I wouldn’t want you to be more miserable than you already are.”

I wanted to scream. I wanted to rip his smug smile off his face and tell every single person that I wasn’t his. I couldn’t even fathom why he was lying to them. Did he have a reason or did he just find it fun?

Grinding my teeth at his ever-growing threats, I placed my hand on his arm and he led me back to the crowd. Every step felt heavier. My skin crawled with shame, anger, and a whole lot of other emotions I couldn’t place my finger on.

“Bold move.”

“She’s fierce.”

“A bit dangerous too.”

“She’s perfect for him.”

The whispers were never-ending.

When we reached the far corner of the ballroom, Lorenzo finally leaned down, his lips brushing my ear. I shivered at the contact. “That was entertaining. I should bring you to these things more often.”

I trembled with rage. “You set me up.”

“Did I?” He asked innocently. “I don’t remember guiding your hand to his face, Isla.”

My breathing was heavy as I took a step back from him, glaring. “You wanted me to cause a scene.”

He didn't deny it.

“First, you lie to everyone here that I’m your fiancée. Then you tell me to dance with a man you know damn well is handsy so you could properly stake your claim. You’re disgusting.”

Lorenzo smiled. “You’re pretty good at connecting the dots, but…” he took a step forward. I tried to take one back but he held me, spun me around, and caged me against the wall. I tried to break free but it was useless. “…who said I lied to anyone?”

“W-what?”

“You are my fiancée, aren’t you?”

“You’re sick!” My eyebrows furrowed. Did he really mean what he was saying or was he trying to press my buttons once again?

“Well, I intend to marry you. You’re a little fireball. I like it.”

I intensified my glare, hoping it would knock the smug smile off his face since my hands couldn’t. “You’re disgusting.”

He only chuckled, his eyes glinting in the low light. “You keep saying that, dolcezza, but I’ve come to realize you bring out the worst in me. There’s just something about you that makes me want to f**k with you.”

I closed my eyes briefly, trying to regulate my breathing, and opened them again. My whole family was dead. I was being controlled by the killer of my family and for him, it was just a game? I was tired of pointing out how sick he was at this point. “If you force me into marriage, I’ll kill you.”

“Don’t you already plan to kill me?”

“I’ll destroy everything you have.”

He nodded. “Now that’s what I’d like to hear from my future wife.” He finally released me. “I look forward to it.”

The rest of the gala passed by in a blur. The music, the food, the endless handshakes and congratulations. I felt sick.

By the time we left, my cheeks hurt from faking smiles all night long and my body was exhausted. As the car drove away from the hotel, I pressed my body against the window, desperate for distance away from him.