Adrian's Vengeance (Mafia Heirs 1)

I want her. Desire flows through my veins freely, reminding me how much I feel for this girl, how badly I want to put my ring on her finger and my baby in her belly.

"What do you want?" she calls out before she's even reached me, a sharp contrast to Nicoletta's sweet obedience.

"Greet me properly," I growl at her, grabbing her wrist once she's close enough. "Show some respect, bambina. Don't make me teach you in front of everyone in this house."

She glares at me and walks right past me into the gardens.

I catch up in two quick steps, tugging on her arm. "Don't walk away from me, Marzia. You're making me real fucking angry."

"You don't tell me what to do," she snaps back. "Who do you think you are? My fiancé?"

The words cut deep, and she knows it.

But all Marzia does is smirk and keeps walking.

"And here I was, doing something nice for you."

She looks at me over her shoulder, but I'm done hurrying along to catch up with her. She slows her walk. "What do you mean?"

"There will be a surprise in your room when you get back."

"What kind of surprise?"

"One you'll like," I reply. "Now, are you going to start behaving?"

She doesn't answer me.

I stride behind her confidently. I hope for Marzia's sake, she doesn't try something ridiculous like running. There's no way I'm ever letting her slip through my fingers again.

We come to a stop in the rose garden.

I remember being here with Nicoletta only an hour ago.

"What were you doing with her?" Marzia asks.

Her question surprises me. "What do you mean?"

"You brought that girl here," she snaps. "I want to know what you were talking about."

"What a vicious little side of you." I smirk. "Who knew my bambina was so jealous."

"Tell me." She's trying a new tactic now, running up to me and grabbing the front of my shirt. "I can't stand seeing her with you, it drives me insane. I don't want you to end up with her."

"You're acting crazy, Marzia."

"You're making me crazy!" She slams her little fists against my chest.

This just makes my cock strain against the fabric of the pants I'm wearing. "I don't care. Learn to control yourself, or I'll be forced to show you your place." I wrap my palm around her ponytail, tugging. "Do you need a reminder?"

"N-No." She pulls out of my reach, stubbornly crossing her arms. "Fine! I'll behave."

"Good girl." Her body relaxes from its arch then, giving me control over her. I smirk, pulling her against me. "You're so much sexier when you're like this. So keep being a good girl for me and I'll keep rewarding you."

She nods.

I let her go. We walk through the gardens wordlessly after I tell her we can't risk anyone seeing us or overhearing. Finally, we come to a stop in a hedge garden behind the Mansion.

"No one can see us here," Marzia tells me. "Now tell me everything. Why did you leave me again?"

"What makes you think you can ask questions?" I demand. "You get as much as you are given. And you should be grateful for it, too."

"Adrian, I can't stand seeing her around you," Marzia repeats. "It makes me crazy. It makes my head spin."

"So you're a little jealous." I stare at her. "How is that my problem?"

"You have to help me." She looks so pretty, all desperate for me.

"I have to go," I say. "Eleanora will come get you when the room is ready. Don't try running again."

"But Adrian, please, can't we talk about us?"

"Us?" I look right into her eyes, feeling like the worst person in the world. "There can't be an us, Marzia. My father wants me to marry Nicoletta."

"But do you want to marry her?" Marzia demands.

I ponder her question, even though I knew the answer the moment those words left her lips. "Doesn't matter," I finally reply. "It's not my choice to make."

Leaving her there, I walk back to the house to make sure my surprise is ready.

I can't allow myself to get attached to Marzia. Not when Father plans to kill her. All I can do now is make the time she has left here better, or figure out a way to help her escape. If I don't, she doesn't have long left.

24

Marzia

Eleanora falls into step behind me. The whole time we are in the gardens, I feel a guard's watchful gaze on us. There's no way Adrian is letting me get away again. There will be no second chance for an escape.

I stroll through the gardens trying to sort through my thoughts until Eleanora finally tugs on my sleeve, signaling it's time for me to head back inside. I don't hurry. I don't want to be locked up in my room again. Sketching and painting has brought me some joy, but it still doesn't account for the lack of freedom I have in this house.