Chapter 8
A R I A N A
I felt suffocated, the reception hall was too loud, too full of people smiling at me like this was some happy occasion.
I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
“I need to use the restroom,” I mumbled to no one in particular, pushing back my chair.
Dante glanced up from his conversation with some business associate his dark eyes studied my face for a second before giving a slight nod.
I hurried away before anyone could follow.
The bathroom was empty, thank God. I locked the door behind me and finally, finally I let myself break.
Tears poured down my face, ruining my perfect makeup, my chest heaved with silent sobs as I gripped the sink for support.
This wasn’t fair.
None of this was fair.
Yes, I made a mistake with Angelo. Yes, I disobeyed my father. But this? Being married off to some stranger? To Dante Russo of all people?
It was too much.
I hated my father, I hated Angelo, I hated Bella. Most of all, I hated myself for being so stupid, so naive to think love was real.
The door creaked open.
I whirled around, hastily wiping my tears. “This bathroom is occupi p>
Angelo.
He stood in the doorway, his face twisted in fury before I could react, he slammed the door shut behind him and locked it.
“What the fuck are you doing marrying my uncle?” he spat, his voice low and dangerous.
My breath caught.
Uncle?
Dante was Angelo’s uncle?
How…how did I not know this?
How is this even possible, Angelo had never mentioned being related to the Russo, then how is Dante his uncle?
Angelo stepped closer, his eyes blazing. “All this time, you were a Melendez? You lied to me! You fucking lied p>
“I didn’t p>
“You’re a slut,” he hissed. “First you trap me with your lies, now you’re fucking my uncle? Was this your plan all along? See who the cheat is now”
Something inside me snapped.
I shoved him hard, my hands shaking with rage. “Fuck you, Angelo! Fuck you and your accusations! You have no right to question me! Not after what you did! At least you didn’t catch me in our matrimonial bed fucking your uncle”
His face darkened. “So this is your revenge? Fucking my family to get back at me p>
A cold smile twisted my lips. “This?” I gestured to my wedding dress. “This is just the beginning. You and Bella will pay for what you did to me. I’ll ruin you both p>
Angelo’s expression changed his anger fading away, replaced by something else something like…fear.
Good.
Let him be afraid.
Let him suffer like I suffered, he’d taste something even more bitter and painful than I did.
It’s cause of his stupid mistake, not being able to keep his dick in one pussy I’m paying for my mistakes and his mistake and he may as well suffer it like I am doing, but much more.
The bathroom door rattled. “Ariana?” Dante’s deep voice called from the other side. “Are you in there p>
Angelo’s eyes widened and backed away from me like I was on fire.
I wiped my face one last time, smoothing my dress. “You should leave,” I told Angelo coldly. “Wouldn’t want your dear uncle to find you here, would we p>
For the first time since I’d known him, Angelo looked truly scared at the mention of his uncle.
Which meant even his family were afraid of him.
Dante Russo was a very dangerous man, I can’t imagine living under the same roof with him.
One way or the other I must find the way to end this unholy matrimony.
Angelo unlocked the door and walked out. I stayed back into catchy my breath, my hands gripping the sink so hard my knuckles turned white. My reflection in the mirror was a mess smudged makeup, red-rimmed eyes, lips quivering.
The door creaked open again.
I didn’t even have time to turn around before large hands grabbed me, spinning me roughly. My back slammed against the tiled wall, knocking the breath from my lungs.
Dante.
His face was calm, but his eyes burned with something dark and dangerous.
One hand wrapped around my throat, not tight enough to cut off air, but enough to make my pulse hammer against his fingers.
“We just got married,” he said, his voice low and smooth like poisoned honey. “And already you’re showing infidelity? Meeting my nephew in secret p>
I opened my mouth to protest, but his grip tightened slightly.
“I don’t care about your past with Angelo,” he continued, leaning in so close I could smell the expensive whiskey on his breath. “But understand this you belong to me now, your body, your loyalty, your obedience. All mine p>
His thumb stroked my racing pulse as he spoke, the gesture almost tender if not for the threat in his eyes.
My heart rate escalted, my heart beating around its rib cage as though it was going to pop out.
“If you ever try to betray me,” he whispered, “I will make your life so miserable, you’ll beg for the hell you’re living now p>
Then he released me.
I gasped, my hands flying to my throat as I sucked in air, my legs shook so badly I had to lean against the wall to stay upright.
Dante straightened his suit jacket, his movements calm and precise like he hadn’t just choked me.
He reminded me I was nothing but property to him and this was all my father’s fault,. I wouldn’t be stuck in the situation I am in now if not for him.
“Fix your face,” he ordered, glancing at my ruined makeup with distaste. “Then return to the reception. We have guests waiting p>
He turned and walked out, leaving the door open behind him.
I stood there, trembling, my fingers pressing into the bruises already forming on my neck.
This wasn’t a marriage.
This was a death sentence.