Chapter Three: Two Brothers
1002 Words
“Sit.”
I obey, promptly, heading over to the double-seater leather sofa in a corner of the room. I fold my hands in my lap, trying not to look at him.
Cassian Moretti.
I’ve heard of him before.
A Capo Dei Capi. A mafia boss so respected he had the Russians laying low for years and paying dues, even in their own territory.
Until two years ago, when he completely disappeared from the public’s eye.
“As you’re aware,” he says, “our marriage is for mutual benefit between both families. As such, there are certain stipulations that must be agreed upon.”
I nod, even though I have no idea what he means.
He rolls his wheelchair back to the desk and I watch, holding my breath, as he picks up a document. His eyes are cold as they meet mine and a shiver runs down my spine.
“This is a contract. You’re to read and agree to the terms. None of which are negotiable.”
“I—” I blink slowly. “None? I’m supposed to agree to a contract I know nothing about?”
His lips curl into a disapproving frown. “You’re not required to make any decisions, Miss Rossi. You’re simply a placeholder. You should do well to know your place.”
My lips part in protest, but nothing comes out. I remember Papa’s words instead.
“…it’s only fair that you pull your own weight too.”
My upper lip twitches as I nod solemnly. “I understand.”
“Oh, come on.”
The door swings open.
My gaze snaps so fast I almost give myself a whiplash. A man steps in, dressed in slacks and a dress shirt, with more buttons opened than closed.
“That’s no way to treat your wife, dear brother,”
he drawls thickly, slipping his hands into his pocket. He clicks his tongue at Cassian. “You might frighten her to death with your antisocial attitude.”
I see the resemblance immediately. The well-chiseled jaw, the guarded look behind his eyes and the high cheekbones they both share.
There’s something different about this man, though.
His hair is a light shaggy blond, falling over his face. Unlike the neatly cut dark hair pushed back from Cassian’s eyes.
“Rafael,” Cassian grunts, sounding displeased. His expression, though, is unreadable as he stares at his brother. “I wasn’t aware we were supposed to meet today.”
Rafael pulls his hands from his pocket, his shoulders lifting in a non-committal shrug. “I heard my older brother got married. You can’t blame me for being curious, can you?” His gaze slides over to me, a brow arching.
Something about the way he looks at me, slow and unhurried, his eyes drifting over my face, slipping down to my chest…lingering, makes me feel exposed. His upper lip curls with a tiny smirk. “You must be the newest addition to the family.”
My heart races as he walks over, and something races down my spine, warm and invasive. It settles between my legs, pulsing softly. I clench them together instinctively, but he notices.
It’s quick, but he glances down.
His eyes find my face again, his gaze darkening. It’s nothing like the disapproving look my new husband gave me a minute ago. There’s something else—something that makes the pulse between my thighs throb faster.
What is wrong with me?
Rafael stretches out his hand. “I’m Cassian’s younger brother and only family, Rafael Moretti. It’s nice to meet you…”
It takes a minute to realize he’s asking for my name. “Belinda,” I mutter. “Belinda Rossi.”
“Mmm.” The sound rumbles through his chest, a hint of a smile on his voice. “Belinda,” he murmurs, rolling the syllables around his tongue, tasting it.
“It’s a pretty name.” He tips his head, gesturing at the hand I forgot to shake. “I promise I don’t bite, Belinda. Unless,” he tilts his head, studying me. “You’d like me to?”
I’m not sure if he’s teasing…
I find myself hesitating, staring at his fingers for a moment. Veiny lines zigzag down the back of his palm, stretching on forever. I swallow as I reach out, slipping my hand against his. Our fingers brush and I gasp softly as heat floods my body.
It races straight between my legs.
I yank my hand away. “I–sorry,” I mutter. “My hand is sweaty.”
Rafael says nothing.
“So,” he turns away, facing his brother. “Are you going to bore her senseless with rules, or will you allow her to get settled first?”
Cassian mutters something under his breath. I don’t hear it, but I see the flash of a smile that flickers on Rafael’s face. “Abigail will show you to your room,” he says to me, his tone brisk and dismissive. “We’ll pick up from where we left in the morning.”
I nod meekly, inwardly relieved. I might be his wife, but Papa taught me better to sign something I have no control over.
I stand as Cassian picks up a document, effectively shutting me out of sight. I stand up, but my knees wobble for a moment, almost giving out.
“Do you need help?” Rafael offers.
I’m quick to shake my head. “No, thank you.” I don’t know anything about him. He might be nice on the surface, but I’ve learned not to trust blindly.
He nods. “Okay.”
My pulse is still racing as I walk out of the study. I head down the straight hallway, coming into two other corridors. I glance from one to the other, perplexed.
Where did we come from? The butler was in a hurry when he brought me to Cassian’s office and I merely followed him.
“Looking for something?”
- Writer
