The Rosetti Wife
2051 Words
Chapter 4 – The Rosetti Wife
When Aria woke, the bed was empty.
For several seconds, she simply stared at the ceiling.
Then the memories returned.
Her father's house.
Dante.
The contract.
The penthouse.
She sat up slowly and looked around.
Morning sunlight poured through the enormous windows, turning the bedroom golden. For the first time since arriving, the penthouse didn't look quite so cold.
Then she heard something.
A faint clatter.
Coming from the kitchen.
Aria climbed out of bed and slipped into the bathroom. After freshening up, she wrapped herself in the white bathrobe and quietly walked down the hallway.
She stopped at the kitchen entrance.
Dante was cooking.
Actually cooking.
He stood in front of the stove wearing a black T-shirt and jeans, his sleeves pushed up his arms.
There was something almost absurd about the sight.
This was Dante Rosetti.
The man whose name made entire families nervous.
The man who had terrified her father into silence.
The man who supposedly had blood on his hands.
And he was standing in his kitchen making breakfast.
He glanced over his shoulder.
"Good morning."
Aria blinked.
"Good morning."
"You've been standing there for almost a minute."
Her cheeks warmed.
"I wasn't."
"You were."
He turned back toward the stove.
"Come here."
She hesitated.
"Why?"
"Because breakfast is ready."
"I don't usually eat breakfast."
Dante looked at her.
"That's about to change."
"I can decide what I eat."
"Absolutely."
He placed a plate on the table.
"And you can decide whether you eat it."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
He pulled out a chair.
"But I'm still going to ask you to."
She almost smiled.
Almost.
She sat.
Dante placed pancakes, fresh berries, and cream in front of her.
She stared at the plate.
"You made this?"
"Obviously."
"You can cook?"
"Among other things."
She looked at him suspiciously.
"You're full of surprises."
"So are you."
He sat opposite her with a cup of coffee.
Aria picked up her fork.
The first bite made her eyes widen.
"This is incredible."
"I know."
She laughed softly.
It was the first genuine laugh that had escaped her in what felt like years.
Dante watched her.
Something softened in his expression.
"Better?"
She nodded.
"Much."
For a few moments, they ate in silence.
It felt strangely normal.
Almost peaceful.
Then Dante spoke.
"How long has it been since someone cooked for you?"
Aria's smile disappeared.
"I don't remember."
His jaw tightened.
"You should."
"Why?"
"Because from now on, you'll have reasons to remember things that aren't painful."
She looked at him.
There was something different about him this morning.
Less like the ruthless Don.
More like a man.
And that was somehow more dangerous.
She lowered her eyes.
"Thank you."
"For breakfast?"
"For everything."
Dante leaned back.
"I'm not kind, Aria."
"You are to me."
His expression changed.
"I'm not."
"Then what are you?"
He considered the question.
"Someone who understands what it's like to be hurt."
Her fingers tightened around the fork.
He continued.
"That's why I won't let anyone hurt you again."
She looked down.
"You can't promise that."
"I can."
"Dante—"
"I can."
His voice was firm.
"If anyone in my family threatens you, you tell me."
She looked up.
"Your family?"
"Yes."
A strange uneasiness settled in her stomach.
"Are they dangerous?"
A faint smile appeared.
"Some of them."
"That's not reassuring."
"It wasn't meant to be."
She stared at him.
Then he added,
"But you'll be protected."
"By you?"
"By me."
Her heart skipped.
She quickly looked away.
---
After breakfast, Dante disappeared into his study.
Aria returned to the bedroom and found several garment bags hanging neatly inside the closet.
She frowned.
She opened one.
A dress.
Then another.
Shoes.
Handbags.
Jewelry.
Everything was new.
Everything looked expensive.
She had barely touched the second bag when the bedroom door opened.
A woman stood there.
She was elegant, perhaps in her early thirties, with dark hair pulled into a neat bun and a tablet tucked under her arm.
"Mrs. Rosetti?"
Aria froze.
Nobody had ever called her that.
"Yes?"
"I'm Elena."
The woman smiled politely.
"Mr. Rosetti assigned me to you."
"Assigned you?"
"I'm your personal assistant."
Aria stared at the wardrobe.
"All of this?"
Elena nodded.
"Mr. Rosetti requested that your wardrobe be completely replaced."
"I don't need all of this."
"I was told you might say that."
Aria frowned.
"And?"
Elena's lips curved.
"He told me to tell you that you are not allowed to feel guilty about it."
Aria stared at her.
Then, despite herself, she smiled.
"Of course he did."
"Your fitting is scheduled for ten."
"Fitting?"
"Clothing. Shoes. Formalwear. Everything you'll need as Mrs. Rosetti."
Aria sighed.
"Apparently I have no choice."
Elena smiled.
"Welcome to the Rosetti family."
---
The fitting took hours.
By the time Aria returned to the penthouse, she barely recognized herself.
She had never owned so many clothes in her life.
Dresses.
Suits.
Shoes.
Coats.
Evening gowns.
Everything had been selected with careful precision.
Elena had insisted that Dante wanted her to have choices.
Aria wasn't sure she believed that.
But there was one thing she couldn't deny.
For the first time, she had been given things simply because someone thought she deserved them.
When she entered the penthouse, she found Dante in his study.
He looked up immediately.
His eyes moved over her.
Then he stopped.
"What?"
Aria shifted awkwardly.
"Nothing."
"You were staring."
"I wasn't."
He leaned back in his chair.
"You were."
She looked away.
"Elena said you wanted me to have a new wardrobe."
"I did."
"Why?"
"Because you're my wife."
The answer was so simple that she didn't know what to say.
"I don't need expensive things."
"I know."
"Then why?"
Dante closed the file in front of him.
"Because I want you to have them."
Her heart gave an uncomfortable flutter.
Before she could respond, he continued.
"There's something else."
"What?"
"Tonight, you're meeting my family."
Her stomach dropped.
"Tonight?"
"Yes."
"I thought that was tomorrow."
"I changed the schedule."
"Why?"
"Because I have business to handle tomorrow."
She stared at him.
"I don't know what to say to them."
"You don't need to say much."
"What if they don't like me?"
"They don't have to."
"What if they insult me?"
"Tell me."
"And then?"
His expression became cold.
"I'll handle it."
Aria sighed.
"I can't keep hiding behind you."
Dante studied her.
"You're not hiding behind me."
"Then what am I doing?"
"Standing beside me."
The words silenced her.
Dante rose from his chair.
"You're going to walk into that room tonight as my wife."
He stepped closer.
"Not as a frightened girl your father sold."
His voice became firmer.
"And not as someone's possession."
Aria's heart tightened.
"Then who am I?"
His gaze held hers.
"Aria Rosetti."
She swallowed.
"And what does that mean?"
"It means nobody gets to decide your worth anymore."
---
Hours later, Aria stood in front of the mirror.
She wore an emerald-green silk dress that fell elegantly around her.
Her hair was styled simply.
Her makeup was understated.
For the first time, she looked at herself and didn't immediately see the frightened girl from her father's house.
She saw someone different.
Someone stronger.
The bedroom door opened.
Dante entered.
He stopped.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Aria looked at him through the mirror.
"Is something wrong?"
"No."
His voice was lower than usual.
"You look beautiful."
She turned.
"Thank you."
He stepped closer.
His hands settled lightly on her shoulders.
"Tonight, you're my wife."
Her heartbeat quickened.
"You're going to meet people who have known me my entire life."
She nodded.
"They'll judge you."
Her stomach tightened.
"But don't let them intimidate you."
"What if I'm scared?"
His eyes met hers through the mirror.
"You can be scared."
He leaned closer.
"Just don't let them see you break."
Aria took a deep breath.
"I'll try."
"No."
He turned her gently toward him.
"Don't try."
His eyes held hers.
"Believe."
She swallowed.
"Believe what?"
"That you belong beside me."
The words sent an unexpected warmth through her chest.
Dante's expression softened.
"Ready?"
Aria looked at herself one last time.
Then she lifted her chin.
"Ready."
His mouth curved into a dangerous smile.
"Good."
---
The mansion in the Hamptons was enormous.
It looked less like a home and more like a palace.
As soon as Aria stepped through the doors, she felt the atmosphere change.
People looked at her.
Whispers followed her.
Some were curious.
Others were openly hostile.
Dante's hand rested firmly at her lower back as he guided her through the room.
"Stay close."
"I am."
"Closer."
She glanced at him.
"You're nervous."
"Very."
His hand tightened slightly.
"I'm here."
Those two words settled something inside her.
I'm here.
They were simple.
But she had spent her entire life waiting for someone to say them.
Dante introduced her to several members of the Rosetti family.
His mother.
His uncles.
His cousins.
Business associates.
Aria smiled politely and listened.
Then she saw him.
A man leaning against the wall with a glass in his hand.
Dark hair.
Expensive suit.
A smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Dante noticed him too.
His expression hardened.
"That's Marco."
"Your cousin?"
"Yes."
"Does he dislike me?"
Dante's eyes remained on Marco.
"He hasn't decided yet."
Aria frowned.
"Is that bad?"
"Very."
Before she could ask why, Dante was pulled into a conversation by one of his uncles.
"Stay here."
"I will."
He stepped away.
Aria remained near the hallway.
She was trying to calm herself when Marco approached.
"So."
His voice was smooth.
"You're the new bride."
Aria forced a polite smile.
"Yes."
He looked her over.
"Must be nice."
She frowned.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Marrying into the Rosetti family."
His smile widened.
"Especially when you come from a family with problems."
Her expression tightened.
"My father doesn't have much to do with me anymore."
"I heard."
Marco took a sip of his drink.
"I heard Dante broke his ribs."
Aria said nothing.
Marco stepped closer.
"I also heard you're the reason."
Her blood chilled.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Of course you don't."
His eyes narrowed.
"I know what you are."
Aria's fingers curled.
"What am I?"
Marco smiled.
"A woman who escaped one cage and married the man who owns another."
The words struck deeper than she expected.
But before she could respond, something inside her hardened.
"You don't know anything about me."
Marco laughed.
"Don't pretend you're one of us."
"I never said I was."
"Then remember your place."
Aria lifted her chin.
"My place?"
"You're only here because Dante wants you."
She stared at him.
"And?"
Marco's smile faded slightly.
"And nothing."
He leaned closer.
"You should be careful, sweetheart."
Aria didn't step back.
"Maybe you should be."
His eyes widened.
"Excuse me?"
"If you speak to me like that again, I'll tell Dante exactly what you said."
Marco laughed.
"You wouldn't."
Aria's heart pounded.
But she held his gaze.
"Try me."
The smile disappeared from Marco's face.
He stepped back.
And then Aria felt a hand close gently around her arm.
She turned.
Dante.
His expression was calm.
Too calm.
His eyes moved from Aria to Marco.
Then back to Aria.
"What happened?"
Aria hesitated.
Marco quickly smiled.
"Nothing."
Dante didn't look at him.
He looked only at her.
"What did he say?"
Aria swallowed.
She could tell him.
She could let Dante handle it.
But something inside her refused.
She didn't want to be the frightened girl anymore.
"Nothing I couldn't handle."
Silence.
Dante stared at her.
Then something changed in his expression.
Pride.
Admiration.
Perhaps something more.
A slow smile touched his lips.
"You're full of surprises."
Aria lifted her chin.
"I told you."
His hand rose and gently touched her cheek.
"You're not what I expected."
She looked into his eyes.
"No?"
"No."
His voice dropped.
"You're so much more."
Aria's heart pounded.
And standing in the middle of a mansion filled with strangers, she realized something she hadn't been prepared for.
The most dangerous thing in the room wasn't Dante Rosetti.
It was the fact that she was beginning to trust him.
And perhaps even worse—
she was beginning to fall for him.
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