ella

the vast bedroom, the hem of my wedding dress pooling around my feet like spilled milk. The scent of sandalw

d dread. If Damien didn't return, if the household staff knew the Don had abandoned his bride on their wedding night, my title o

ock c

ygen out of the room. He didn't look at me. He moved with lethal purpose toward a heavy mahogany wardrobe, retrieving a t

ce flat, already turning back towa

leaving. He was handing my enemies the ammunition

ft my lips before

brass doorknob. He turned slowly, his da

to unclench. I had to be stronger than my

aking a vow?" I asked, my voice cutting through

amien released the doorknob and took a ste

oice a low growl that vibrated in my bones. "Yo

med at me to look away. "If you walk out that door tonight, you tell every soldier, ever

el smirk twisted his lips. "You must have heard the rumors, girl. You ch

"I don't want your affection, D

chose you because you are cold. Because you are a machine. I didn't want a husband who would love me; I wan

from his face, replaced by a sharp, calculating assessment. He loo

e?" he asked softly, the danger in his t

wear your ring and bear your name. But for that to work, you cannot lea

for a crack in my armor, for the naive girl he thought he had married. He

huff. He walked past me, tossing the

beneath me,"

of the bed, shrugging off his suit jacket. He loosene

ded, leaning back and closing hi

turned and climbed into the massive, empty bed. The sheets were cold, and the spa

g to the steady breathing of the monster I had married, I won