Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Chapter 22
SOPHIA
Against my will, I drive to the house where I lived alone for the last three years. The house my fake husband had chosen to keep up the charade for his grandfather—God knows why.
A husband I now know the identity of, and wish I never had, because he’s revealing himself to be a controlling, manipulative man.
How could I have made the mistake of getting involved with him? I could be free right now if I hadn’t ended up in bed with him. And how did I not realize the contract was based on the marriage not being consummated?
Maybe I need a new lawyer. It doesn’t matter. We had an agreement, and he’s going to sign the damn divorce papers one way or another.
Although maybe threatening a man who might be a killer—or worse—isn’t the smartest move.
Despite trying to forget everything that happened on the cruise, I never will.
Did he really throw that man overboard? A shiver runs down my arms and spine just thinking about the possibility. Oh my God… I slept next to the man who might be a murderer, and I let him have me.
And maybe he did it because of me, to protect me. Shit. I got involved with a complete psychopath. And now I’m on my way to meet him.
Calm down, Sophia. It could all just be in your head. Besides, the kind of person who throws someone into the ocean wouldn’t be walking around freely.
I park in front of the townhouse in the quiet, elegant Manhattan neighborhood. It’s strange to think that for a while, I actually felt at home here.
Seeing the guards at the entrance is enough to irritate me more. Another reminder that Dario can’t be just a normal man.
Clicking my heels hard on the steps, I climb the small staircase and walk into the house, ignoring the black-suited giants.
“Where is he?” I stop in the hall, asking one of the guards. I can see another one in the adjoining room. Why the hell does he need this many people?
The bearded guard hesitates before finally answering.
“In the office, ma’am.”
I stride across the room and up the stairs. On the upper floor, I walk the corridor until I reach the office.
Ignoring yet another guard standing by the door, I grab both handles and throw it open. Let him try to stop me.
My entrance makes Dario turn his head toward me. He’s sitting in a brown leather chair beside one of the windows, looking relaxed. His gaze sweeps over my body. That’s all it takes to make my desire stir.
“Good thing you came, sweetheart.”
“As if I had a choice. Do you really need all these people? You know what, never mind. Let’s get to the point.”
He stands, wearing a white shirt with the top buttons undone and black dress pants. His hair is slightly tousled.
Walking past me, he opens the door and says something in Italian to the guard, who disappears down the hall before Dario closes the door again.
Turning back, he stops beside me and tries to touch my face.
“No.” I step back.
“No?” He smiles. “Did you already forget what you begged me for last night?”
Damn it. Just ignore him.
“I had my lawyer file for a new divorce.”
“You don’t want that.”
“Oh, I do.”
“I understand you’re hesitant because there are many things you don’t know about me, sweetheart, but I’ve already told you that doesn’t change anything that happened between us. It was real.”
“I only want one thing from you: sign the papers when the time comes.”
“I can’t do that. I can’t let you go.”
“We had a deal. You don’t have a choice. And I don’t belong to you.”
“Yes, you do.”
“This is unbelievable. What the hell is wrong with you? Do you really think I want to stay married to a man I don’t even know?”
“I want you to know I’ve only been trying to protect you from the beginning. That’s why I’ve had to keep my secrets. I can only tell you if I’m sure you’ll stay with me. That’s what I want—that you accept being mine, so I can keep you safe when you become part of my world.”
“You’re saying you can only tell me the truth if I agree to stay married to you?”
“Yes.”
“You’re joking. You’re practically a stranger to me.”
“Don’t say that. I thought hard before making this decision, and despite all the risks involved, I’m willing to give up my secrets if that’s what it takes for you to say yes.”
“This is insane. What exactly do you want from me?”
“In one way, it’s a simple decision, sweetheart. Either you want me or you don’t. On the other hand, if the answer is yes, you can’t ever go back, and that decision will change your life completely.”
“You really expect me to say yes before knowing the whole truth?”
“I can only tell you if I’m sure of how you feel.”
“You’re asking me to trust you blindly?”
“Yes. I want you to trust me and surrender completely.”
“This is absurd. I can’t trust a man full of secrets.”
“I want you, sweetheart, and I want you to know I’ll keep protecting you even if you say no. Take as much time as you need to think, but you can’t run from me forever because you know you’re mine.”
“I don’t want you to protect me. I don’t want any involvement with you.”
“But you already have one. We’re married. Did you forget?”
He steps forward, closing the distance and making me bump into the furniture behind me.
“We both know I’m going to get this divorce one way or another.”
“That’s the problem, sweetheart. You can’t beat me in this game.”
His hands settle on my hips, one sliding up the curve of my waist and ribs. My heart races, my skin heating under his touch. I can’t look away from his eyes, his mouth.
“Not just because you don’t know who I am, but because you’re dying to give in to me.”
I close my eyes, trying to resist, feeling the desire pulse between my legs.
“You just need to say yes, and I’ll give you everything you want.”
His warm breath brushes my face, making me shiver. How can I be so weak around him?
My entire body is screaming yes. My nipples harden, and all I want is to feel his fingers on me.
But I won’t let desire overpower my reason.
“I…”
I open my eyes. He’s waiting for the smallest signal, a dark hunger burning in his gaze.
“I have to go. And I don’t want you to touch me again without my permission.”
“Sophia…”
“Stay away.”
He exhales deeply before stepping back, letting me breathe.
“I want you to stay for dinner.”
“No.”
“My grandfather is coming. He wants to see you.”
“He already knows about the divorce. What are you trying to do, keep up the charade?”
“There’s no charade. I just want to spend more time with you.”
“You don’t understand. I don’t need to think. The answer is no.”
“All I’ve ever tried to do is protect you. All the secrets are just to protect you. But I told you I’m willing to give them all up. You just need to say yes.”
“You’re asking me to jump blindly, not knowing the risks, and with no way to go back. You really are insane if you think I’d even consider that. Excuse me.”
I move past him toward the exit.
“Have you ever wondered how you managed to leave that cruise safely?” His words make me stop.
“What?”
What did he do? I’ve asked myself so many times why Xavier didn’t try anything that day. I thought maybe I just got lucky, but I never imagined Dario had anything to do with it. When I left that ship, I was terrified.
“That’s how you know you can trust me.” He says, walking to the old oak desk.
“What did you do?”
“I made sure you got out safely.”
“What do you mean? I told you I didn’t want your help. I demand to know what happened!”
“Stay for dinner, and maybe I’ll tell you. And by the way, you’re welcome.”
“You expect me to thank you for interfering in something that has nothing to do with you?”
“For saving your life. Maybe you need to learn a bit about gratitude, sweetheart. But of course, you don’t have to thank me. After all, you did save my life once.”
He sits in the chair behind the desk.
“But if you can’t see I’m doing this because I care about you, then consider it payback.”
“I want to know what happened. Now.”
“It’s only a few hours until dinner. You know this house better than I do. If you need anything, just ask.”
“Enough!”
I storm to the desk, leaning over the wooden surface.
“What do you really want from me? Sex?”
“Oh, darling, is there still any doubt how badly I want to fuck you every second? But if it was just sex, that would be easy. It’s foolish of you to think I’d need a contract to get that.”
“Then what?”
“I already told you. You. I want you to surrender to me.”
“You’re right. It would be easier if it was just sex.”
I turn my back on him and walk out of the room.