Wife (Betrothed 1)

“Basically.”

“The hotel is successful without it. We don’t need it, Gustavo.”

“Not quite. In the winter months, we’re usually barely breaking even. In order to keep all the staff on duty, we need to generate revenue in some other way. This is how it has to be. Since you’re so ambitious about taking on this project, I thought you should know. You might want to focus your energy on another career.”

Running this hotel, along with the others, had been my dream since I could remember. “These hotels belong to me, Gustavo. What happens when you die? When my mother is gone? I just sell it?”

“No. I’m sure I’ll be around a long time, and after you find a suitable partner, he can take over the role.”

“I would never marry a man who would want to be part of this operation.”

He shrugged. “Then you’ll have to sell it.”

“And why couldn’t I run it myself?” I didn’t want to be associated with this kind of deceit, but I also didn’t want to be chased away. This was my birthright, an asset I was entitled to. I could always change everything once it was mine, cut ties with all that bullshit my father got mixed up in.

He shook his head slightly. “It’s nothing personal, honey. But with these men…it wouldn’t be wise.”

“I can handle myself.” At least long enough to cut ties.

“If that’s something you really want, you would need a suitable husband to help you. You would need someone who can do things you can’t.”

“I can do anything a man can do,” I snapped. “And more.”

“That’s not how I meant it, Sofia. One day, you’ll understand.”

One day, I would understand that my family was made up of criminals and liars, that they chose to do things the easy way instead of the right way. One day, I would understand that this beautiful hotel was overrun with criminals…including the man I was sleeping with. I was supposed to come to terms with that, just accept it.

Like that would ever happen.

When Hades told me he was a drug dealer, I didn’t allow myself to think about it. Just as his customers were addicted to his product, I was addicted to him. My nails were in so deep I never wanted to let go; I didn’t want him to slip through my grasp. Ignoring what he said was the only way to accomplish that, to pretend it didn’t really happen. I tried not to think about it, to pretend I hadn’t heard his confession at all.

Because I wasn’t ready to let him go.

I’d finally found exactly what I was looking for, an intense relationship with a man without commitment, something that didn’t require a single thought. It was just good sex with a deep connection, something so combustive that I could hardly think about him without my neck getting warm.

I knew there was only one Hades Lombardi in the world, only one man who could fuck like that, could be so damn gorgeous. Once he was gone, it was over. Sex would be mediocre. There would be nothing to look forward to.

Because no man would ever compare.

I sat in the living room with the TV on, an empty bottle of wine on the table. I’d been drinking all night, my thoughts becoming blurrier with every single glass. I tried to process my emotions, tried to process the reality of my life. Everything I believed in was a lie.

It would take more than a bottle of wine to process that.

My family’s legacy was intertwined with criminality. And the man I was sleeping with was a kingpin, apparently.

Maybe I’d always known…deep down inside.

Maybe I was a criminal myself without even realizing it.

A knock sounded on my door.

The TV was on, so I couldn’t pretend I wasn’t home. I set down my glass then walked to the door. After glancing through the peephole, I realized Hades had dropped by for a visit. He probably knew Gustavo told me the truth. It seemed a strange coincidence that both men came clean about their identities just days apart.

I didn’t want to let him into my apartment.

But there was nothing I wanted more than to feel his hand slide into my hair as he kissed me. Feel his strong arms carry me to bed so he could fuck me until we went to sleep. He was my escape from reality, the drug I constantly needed in my veins.

I unlocked the door and let him in.

He was in jeans and a leather jacket, his jawline cleanly shaved. He showed off the masculine structure of his face, the beautiful complexion of his skin. His brown eyes burned into mine the second he looked at me, claiming me right there on the spot.

My hand grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him into me, bringing our lips together for a passionate kiss in my entryway.