Ruthless Monarch

She’s not okay with this, but she is doing her best to appear that she isn’t scared.

“I will be right outside the door. If you need me—”

“She won’t.”

“You have two minutes.”

I turn on my heel and walk toward the door. Mrs. Marino walks with me and then once we are in the hallway, she closes the door.

I refrain from allowing myself to smile.

This is exactly what I wanted.

10

Viviana

* * *

This is bad.

No. Beyond bad. Disastrous.

Having to be left alone with my father is basically the definition of hell.

I feel small.

Like I’m a tiny bug on the floor, and my father can smash me with his boot.

I didn’t realize how much I relied on Matteo for his strength until he stepped out of the room.

The moment he did, though, I noticed it.

It became cold in the room once his arm pulled away from me.

Now, it feels like there is an arctic chill. One that starts with my father’s angry gaze.

The man who raised me steps forward. His hand is clenched at his side. A fist is formed. I’m one hundred percent sure that if Matteo wasn’t standing directly outside the door, my father would hit me.

It should be lucky for me, but I know my father. He’s going to make me pay in other ways.

Now, I just have to hope whatever the threat is, it is one in which I can convince my new husband to help me out of.

Debatable if he’ll care to help me.

“How could you, Viviana?”

I stand taller, trying my hardest to seem strong.

“He asked, and I said yes.”

“You were supposed to marry Salvatore Amante.”

“I was, wasn’t I?” I run a hand over my hair, “I’m sure he will get over it.” My father raises his hand to smack me, and I smile. “My husband wouldn’t like that.” I let my lip tip up to a smile.

“You like this, don’t you? Oh, poor, sweet Viviana. You have no idea the monster you crawled into bed with. He makes the devil look nice. You’ll regret your decision.”

“I doubt that,” I mutter.

“Oh, no? You don’t think so? Have you thought about Julia? Have you thought about what your impetuous decision will do to her?”

“Yes, Father, I have. And I hope you can see you left me no other choice. You wanted me to marry a man I didn’t love.”

“Yet you still did.”

“But on my terms.”

He lifts a brow at my lie. But instead of cowering, I stand prouder.

“Yes, believe it or not, it was on my terms.”

He narrows his eyes. “And what of your friend?”

“You won’t do anything. I’m still just as important to you. I still can bring you what you need. I am married to Matteo Amante.”

I hated myself for saying that, but for Julia, I would make my husband give my father what he wanted.

“So you will help me . . .?”

“What do you mean?”

“Take down Matteo. You are in the inside now. Atone for what you did. Help me take him down.”

“What? No, that isn’t what I said. I meant I can convince him to help you.”

“That shit will never help me. This is the only way. You need to use your position and find his weakness. I need to take him out.”

“I’m not going to do that.”

Bile crawls up my throat because as much as I say I won’t help him, he will make me. I have no choice. I thought I could spin this somehow in my favor, but the risk of casualties is too high. My heart hammers as I wait for him to drop the threat that I know is coming.

“You will. You know what there is to lose if you cross me.”

And there it is.

I bite my lower lip and hear his words. I don’t say anything else. Instead, I nod. Shaking my head at the same time.

I hate this man.

Hate everything he stands for.

My only way out is to hope Matteo will help me.

The thing is, I’m not sure he will.

“And once I take him out, you will marry Salvatore. That’s the price you have to pay for your disobedience.”

“You think he still wants me?”

“Yes.”

“Are we done here?”

I need to get out of here. The air is getting more and more stale by the minute.

I can barely breathe.

“Yes.”

Without waiting for him to say another word, I turn on my heel and storm toward the door. When I fling the door open, I see Matteo waiting on the far wall. His back is up against it, and his foot is kicked up and resting.

“I’m ready to leave,” I say to Matteo.

He looks past me and into my father’s office. I wonder if he could hear what my father said.

No. Not from where he was standing. Unless he moved right before. But by the way Matteo was relaxed, I doubt it.

“Then let’s go.” He motions his arm out, pointing toward the foyer. I start to walk when I feel his hand rest on my back.