CHAPTER FOUR: The First Night
1029 Words
“Some prisons aren’t made of bars. Just vows, secrets… and a man who never blinks.”
The Moretti estate was built on a cliff and was almost dracula-esque.
The car pulled into the driveway and the engine was turned off. The rain had stopped but the storm was just gathering.
Lena stepped out of the car and the wet hem of her gown dragged on the floor like a funeral shroud. Her heels echoed sharply against the dead like silence of the house.
She hadn’t said a word since the shooting.
Dante was behind her. His eyes wandered all over her. She could feel his gaze burning a hole in her back.
He was like a predator watching his prize enter his lair of its own volition.
The doors shut behind them with a finality that made Lena flinched.
“Home sweet home,” Dante chuckled dryly.
Lena wheeled round with a fierce expression. “You let those men die. At our wedding.”
Her voice faltered when she said wedding.
“Correction. I stopped them from killing me,” He said, his voice as cool as dark liquor.
“You wanted to make a show of them.”
Of course, you did it for show. You wanted the world to see what happens if anyone made a move on a Moretti. On you.
Dante made his way past her. “You were given a front row seat to the ways of my world.”
He paused. “The dead part was just an unplanned bonus.” Her stomach churned. “You’re disgusting.”
I bet you enjoyed that. Her mind echoed.
He glanced over his shoulder with a chuckled playing on his lips. “And yet, you have my last name.”
She hated that his remark struck a chord in her..
He owns the name. Not her . At least not yet.
She stomped past him and went into the living room where a fire was cackling in the fireplace.
She wanted to scream her head out.
Everything in the room reeked of his masculine scent. His presence clung to the walls like secrets.
She didn’t sit. Dante was behind her.
Of course, he had followed. He followed her everywhere like a dog!
He lounged against the fireplace, a bored king. “You have no chance of playing the frigid wife. Your door has no lock ”.
Lena spun on him. “Try me.”
Who the hell does he think he is? If it’s a fight he wants, he is going to get it.
A flicker flashed through Dante’s eyes. “ You are brave or stupid or both.” He sighed. “Sometimes it’s hard to tell.”
She took two steps toward him. She was close enough to smell the scotch on his breath. He was still cool.
How can he be this cool always. Like it was just another Tuesday morning?
“I said I’d be your wife,” Her voice was flat. “I never said I’ll be your puppet. And I damn sure as hell share a bed with you without a blade under my pillow.”
He smiled slowly as he leaned in to her ear. “Darling,” he said softly, “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
She left. The temptation to test her own promise became too great to resist.
Upstairs, the guest room was pristine.
She closed the door and locked the door. Not that it mattered.
A piece of wood wouldn’t stop him from getting in. She wanted to feel in control a bit.
She was at the center of the room.
So this is it. She is in the belly of the beast. This was her lot now .
She stared at her reflection.
She removed the gown with slow deliberate steps. She stared at herself longer than usual and she finally sighed. She went into the bathroom and turned the heater to the highest.
The hot water scorched her skin.
It hurts. She was glad. She still felt something.
She submerged herself.
She wanted to remain here. It’s quiet and peaceful.
She emerged from the tub and went to the room. She wore her robe and stared at the mirror. She placed her arms on her waist.
Mrs. Lena Dante Moretti. No. Prisoner 001.
She gave off a short and bitter laugh.
Her thoughts spiraled.
Why didn’t you fight harder? Do you think your mum will be proud of you? Do you think you can tame him?
Her head throbbed as she began to pace the room. Prowled more like it. Her eyes darted around the room as she sought an escape.
Her gaze fell on a vase near the bed. She picked and hurled it against the wall. The silence after it shattered on the wall was deafening.
She crumbled to the floor. She didn’t cry. She fought back the tears.
Don’t cry. Get a grip on yourself. Don’t give that satisfaction.
She looked up and a blinking red light winked at her. It was a Camera.
She turned slowly. And saw it.
A photo. Framed. On the wall. Her mouth fell open.
What!!!!
It was her mother. She posed with a Moretti.
Lena’s breath got stuck in her throat. Her mother posture made it obvious that she was his woman.
“What the hell is this nonsense?” she whispered.
Her mother? With a Moretti? What’s going on? When was this? What about dad?
The room offered no answers.
I wasn’t brought here to be just a bride. There is more he isn’t telling. This was never about my father’s debt.
Downstairs, Dante sat in his study as he watched the live feed.
He saw the way she froze the moment she noticed the photo.
He took a sip of his drink and leaned back.
You gave started your journey down the rabbit hole.
His phone buzzed. There was a text from an unknown number: You have 48 hours and she will find out.
Dante clenched his jaw and deleted the message.
His eyes stayed on the screen. It’s going to be a rude awakening for you.
- Writer
