Chapter 5 Mrs. Moretti

When Bruno’s SUV pulled up at an estate that was hidden in the dark forest of the northern hills, Carina didn’t realise how fast those three hours went by…

Before the engine had even died, Bruno opened the door and stepped out.

Surprisingly, this arrogant man didn't wait for Carina nor did he offer her a hand.

He reached into the leather interior, grabbed her by her wrist and yanked her out onto the gravel.

Carina stumbled, her torn silk gown catching on the door frame as her knees nearly gave out beneath the wet tulle.

"Get up," Bruno drawled, not even looking back at her as he dragged her behind him toward the towering double oak doors of the mansion.

"Let go of me!" Carina hissed and clawed her fingers at his leather glove. "I can walk, you arrogant bastard!"

Bruno didn't answer or slow his pace. He dragged her through the grand foyer, past ranks of silent, stone-faced guards who bowed their heads as their boss passed.

He took the staircase two steps at a time, forcing Carina to scramble behind him.

This strange man led her straight down a dark corridor on the top floor.

Stopping at a reinforced steel-core door at the end of the hall, he unlocked it with a thumbprint scanner, pushed it open, and practically tossed her inside like a sack of unwanted mail.

“…”

“…”

Carina hit the rug with a gasp.

CLICK

The sound of the electronic lock engaging could be heard through the room like a gunshot.

Carina scrambled to her feet instantly, her sky-like eyes looked like golden lightning. She sprinted to the door, grabbing the handle and rattling it with all her strength.

It was solid. Ouch!

"Bruno!" she screamed, pounding her fists against the wood until her fists turned red. "Open this door! We had a deal! I am your partner, not your prisoner!"

From the other side of the door, a slow, deep chuckle was bouncing in the air; so smooth and completely unbothered.

"Partners share profits, little bird," Bruno drifted through the threshold, dripping with a self-absorbed arrogance. "They don't share power. You gave me your father's trade routes, your brothers' weaknesses, and a legal excuse to wipe Renzo off the map. You've served your purpose for today."

"You selfish, narcissistic monster!" Carina shouted and struck the door again with the palm of her hand. "You used me!"

"Of course I used you," Bruno replied immediately.

She could practically hear the smirk on his face. "Did you honestly think a Moretti boss takes a wife out of the goodness of his heart? You wanted protection, and you got it. You wanted Renzo destroyed, and I am going to do it. But you do it under my roof, in my cage, and on my terms."

"I am not a toy!" she yelled, her throat almost ripped apart.

"You wear my ring on your finger, Mrs. Moretti," he countered coldly. "That makes you my property. And I take very good care of my things. Rest up. Tomorrow, you're going to tell me every single detail about Renzo's offshore accounts."

Carina heard him fade down the hallway until complete, awkward silence returned to the corridor.

She let out a frustrated growl, turning around to take in her gilded prison.

“Son of a bitch! Did I get into another trap?! No…no…he wouldn’t…”

When the little prisoner turned around, a massive king-sized bed with dark silk sheets dominated the center of the room.

“What a weird taste…” She frowned her lips in disgust.

On the bedside table was placed a silver tray with a pitcher of water and a single glass.

Very dark blackout curtains blocked the tall arched windows, completely sealing her off from the outside world.

Carina crossed her arms, trying to calm her rising and falling chest, including that racing heart.

Her shoulder hurt a little where Renzo’s belt had cut through her skin earlier that day, the dried blood was already sticking to the torn lace of her dress.

She walked slowly over to the full-length mirror near the carved wardrobe.

The woman in the glass looked wild…

Her dark hair was half-unbound, falling in messy waves over her pale shoulders. Her eyes were red-rimmed, but behind the exhaustion was fire that hadn't been there in her past life.

That pretty heavy, gold Moretti ring on her left hand caught the light.

Carina reached behind her back, trying to unzip the tight corset of her wedding dress. Her fingers strained, but the zipper was jammed near the top, pinned by threads and dried blood.

"Need some help, little rabbit?"

Carina spun around! Her heart almost jumped into her throat.

Bruno was leaning against the door near the bathroom.

‘When did he get in?’

It took her a second to glance up and down at his removed jacket, his dark shirt unbuttoned at the collar to reveal the edge of a dark tattoo crawling up his neck.

Bruno had a glass of scotch in one hand and his glare completely fixed on her with an intense gaze that made the hair on her skin dance.

"How did you get in here?" she demanded, stepping back until her spine hit the cool glass of the mirror.

Bruno took a slow sip of his drink, lingering on her bare throat, then dropping down to the fabric over her chest.

"It's my house," he rolled his eyes, taking another step toward her. "There isn't a room in this palace I can't enter whenever I feel like it."

"Get out," Carina snapped, despite her best efforts. "I said get out!"

Bruno ignored her entirely. He set his glass down on the vanity table beside her with a clink.

Moving faster than usual, this idiot of a man closed the distance between them until he was standing directly over her, trapping her between the mirror and his massive frame.

‘What is he planning to do?’ Carina felt like she was paralysed.

That intoxicating scent of tobacco, cedar, and expensive cologne filled her senses.

He reached out with his calloused fingers gently catching her jaw, lifting her head back until she was forced to look directly into his eyes.

"You talk too much for someone who is completely at my mercy," Bruno murmured as his thumb touched over her lower lip, pressing down just hard enough to make her open her mouth.

Carina glared at him, refusing to look away, refusing to let him see her flinch. "You think you own me because of a piece of gold?"

Bruno’s lips curved into a wicked, arrogant smile. He leaned down…

Weirdly, even his stupid breath seemed too warm against her ear as his hand slid around to the back of her neck, tangling with his fingers her dark hair, holding her in place.

"I owned you the second you stole my gun in that hallway…Renzo was a fool. He tried to break you with leather and fists because he was afraid of you. I don't need a belt to control you, Carina."

He pulled her head back slightly and brought his other hand up to the top of her dress, brushing against her bare shoulder, sending a sudden, intense heat coursing through her body.

With a quick pull, he ripped the jammed zipper down, exposing the smooth, pale skin of her upper back to the cool night air.

Carina’s jaw locked in, her hands instinctively came up to press against his solid chest, feeling the heartbeat beneath his shirt.

"You're going to stay in this room tonight," Bruno rasped, loosening his hand in her hair, though his presence felt still completely consumed her space.

“You can’t make me, Bruno. We had a deal.”

“A deal?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I broke it…”

“Why…?”

“My wife, tomorrow, you're going to learn what it means to belong to a real king."

He stepped back, leaving her trembling against the mirror. Bruno picked up his scotch, took one last look at her flushed face, and walked back toward the hidden door.

Before stepping through, he paused and glanced over his shoulder with a cold, mocking smile.

"Sleep well, Mrs. Moretti."