As they walked inside, Livy wondered if it was okay to simply leave his car parked there, silently wishing that someone would steal it by the time he came back down.
Antonio led her toward the private elevator, keeping his grip firm.
He said nothing as they rode up.
He remained silent even after they stepped out of the elevator, leading her down the hallway until they reached his bedroom.
Livy stopped when she stepped inside.
This wasn’t the room she had been sleeping in.
This one was much bigger, with an enormous bed.
The moment they entered, he closed the door behind them.
Livy spun around and raised her hand to slap him, but Antonio caught her wrist before her palm could reach his face.
A slow, amused smile spread across his lips.
“Careful.” He walked over to the sofa, sat down and placed a cigar into his mouth.
Then he leaned back, watching her in silence.
Livy remained standing near the door, unsure of what he wanted from her.
“What?” she finally asked.
Antonio’s gaze stayed on her.
“Come here.” “I did exactly what you asked.” “I won’t say it twice,” he said calmly.
Although her heart was pounding, she walked across the room and stopped a few inches from his polished leather shoes.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small metal lighter, which he held out to her.
“Light it.” Her fingers trembled as she took it.
She flipped open the lid and stepped closer, holding the flame toward him.
Antonio leaned forward and placed the end of his cigar into the flame.
Once it caught, he took a slow drag, filling his lungs before releasing a thick cloud of smoke into the air.
Then his eyes settled on her.
“Kneel,” he ordered quietly.
Livy stared at him.
“What?” “I fucking hate repeating myself.” She glared at him, but slowly lowered herself to her knees.
Antonio leaned forward.
He kept the cigar in one hand while his other hand caught her chin, tilting her face toward his.
“Don’t try to contact the FBI for any reason.
You really don’t want to find out what I’m really capable of.” ”I won’t,” she said quietly.
“I will keep my word.
Just keep yours too.” “Your mother will get the best care money can buy.
As long as you continue to behave.” “I’ll behave.” “Good.” He released her and leaned back against the sofa, taking another slow drag from his cigar.
“You’ll be allowed to see your mother once a week.” Antonio held her gaze.
“But there is a condition.” Her stomach tightened.
“What condition.” “You and I will remain married for one year,” he said.
Livy frowned.
“In this one year,” he continued calmly.
“You will wear my ring, answer to my name, and play the part of my wife whenever I require it.” He leaned forward, resting his forearms against his knees.
“And if you double-cross me before that year is over, the agreement concerning your mother ends.” Livy nodded slowly.
She hadn’t expected this.
One year.
For the first time since Antonio had taken her, she realized there was an end to this, and she could actually be free of him.
“Now tell me, mia moglie.
Are you fucking Cross?” Livy’s head snapped up.
“What?” Antonio’s expression remained unreadable.
“Agent Cross,” he repeated.
“Are you fucking him?” “No.” The answer came so quickly that Antonio’s eyes narrowed.
“Then why did he hold you like that?” Antonio had already seen everything.
The small camera hidden on the front of her dress had captured the entire encounter and every word exchanged between them.
He had watched Cross pull her into his arms and whisper to her.
He had also watched the way Livy hadn’t resisted.
Antonio’s jaw tightened.
Why did it bother him?
It shouldn’t.
It’s simply that, Cross was a special agent.
And him getting too close to his wife was a problem, nothing more.
Antonio had no intention of letting some jealous FBI agent interfere with his business or start digging into his affairs.
That was all.
“Answer me.
Why did he hold you like that?” Livy hesitated.
“He was saying goodbye.” “I saw the way he looked at you.” “He was worried about me.” “Worried about you?” Livy lowered her gaze.
“He was with me for eight months.
What do you expect, we were friends.
That’s all.” Antonio studied her for several seconds.
“Did he ever touch you?” Livy hesitated.
Antonio’s jaw tightened.
“Answer me.” “No.” “Did you ever sleep with him?” “No,” she said, shaking her head.
“Do you love him?” Livy looked up sharply.
“No.” Something in her answer seemed to satisfy him, but the tension in his face did not disappear.
He leaned back and took another drag from his cigar.
“Good.” He watched her for another moment before standing.
“Now get up.
But remember something, mia moglie.” He walked toward her.
“My wife kneels to no one but me.” He extended his hand.
Livy stared at it for a moment before reluctantly placing her hand in his.
For her mother’s sake, she would endure whatever came next.
Antonio pulled her to her feet and drew her into his arms.
Livy stiffened instinctively.
She hadn’t expected the embrace.
For a moment, she simply stood there, her hands resting awkwardly against his chest.
He lowered his head slightly.
“You’re my wife now, Livy Reed.
No man must touch you for a whole year.” Livy swallowed.
She looked up at him, searching his face before asking quietly, “Will you force me to sleep with you?” His answer came without hesitation.
“I don’t take what isn’t freely given.
When you give yourself to me, it will be because you chose to.
Not because I forced you.” Livy’s eyes widened slightly.
When?
Was this man insane?
“And what happens after one year?” she asked quietly.
“Will you let me go?” His eyes remained fixed on hers.
“If you want me to.” The words were simple.
But the way he said them made her heart skip.