There was no threat in his voice.
No anger.
No attempt to intimidate her.
Livy searched his face, trying to understand him.
The nerve.
Why on earth would she ever want to stay anywhere near him?
She wanted her freedom.
She wanted her old life back.
And most of all, she wanted her mother safe.
One year.
She could survive one year.
Then she would walk away from Antonio D’Angelo and never look back.
Antonio’s expression hardened slightly.
“But I should make one thing very clear.” Livy looked at him.
“If you ever double-cross me, ever, during this year or afterward, there will be consequences.” He traced a hand across her cheek and on her lips.
“I will kill you slowly.” Livy’s breath caught.
“And everyone who cares about you,” he added.
“Anyone who matters to you.
I won’t leave a single person alive.” Livy swallowed hard and nodded.
Across the city, however, someone else was having a very different kind of day.
“Ahh…” Chloe moaned.
She sat in a plush armchair in her luxurious living room, wearing only a robe, her legs wide open.
She was surrounded by expensive furniture and carefully chosen decorations.
To anyone looking in from the outside, she had everything a woman could want.
But being a princess of a small kingdom came with its own problems.
Her family had a title, but their wealth was dwindling.
Their influence was fading, and every important alliance mattered.
That was why her engagement to Antonio D’Angelo had been so important.
And now, another woman had suddenly become his wife.
Her fingers slowly descended, sinking into her moist slit and reaching the pink interior, seeking a desperate release from the suffocating reality closing in around her.
“Ahh…” she moaned again, already feeling frustrated.
She sank deeper into the soft armchair, her mind returning to Antonio despite her best efforts to block him out.
She was trying to satisfy herself, only, it wasn’t working the way she wanted.
Antonio had never slept with her, but there had been moments when he had touched her, moments she still remembered far too clearly.
And this didn’t feel the same.
Not even close.
For some reason, Antonio never gave himself easily.
He chose his women carefully, and even Chloe had never been able to make him truly hers.
“Thinking of someone?” A sweet, masculine voice behind her made her jump.
She shot to her feet and quickly pulled her robe closed.
Victor stood in the doorway, with an amused smile playing across his lips.
“What the fuck, Victor?” Victor’s smile widened as he stepped into the room.
“Relax.
I knocked.” “Well, get out,” Chloe snapped, her face flushing crimson as she scrambled to pick up her sex toys.
“How did you even get in here?” Victor leaned casually against the doorframe, his dark eyes sweeping over the dildo on the floor before landing back on her with an irritatingly knowing smirk.
“Victor, what do you want?” she snapped.
“Why so hostile, princess?
Given the noises echoing down the hall, I figured you could use some company.
Or at least a distraction.” Chloe’s stomach twisted.
Of all the people who could have walked in on her, it had to be Victor.
“I don’t need a distraction, and I certainly don’t need you.
Just leave, I’m busy.” Victor laughed, then reached out, sliding his hands around her waist.
“I can do it better, you know.
If you let me.” “Do you think I want a community prick like you inside me?” She shoved him away.
“Ouch.” He rubbed his chest mockingly.
“Get lost” Victor raised both hands in surrender, a grin still tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Fine, princess.
No need to bite.” “Just go.” He turned toward the door, then stopped.
He stood for a second then quickly turned and pulled her into a kiss.
Surprisingly she didn’t resist.
When he pulled back, Chloe’s breathing had quickened.
Neither of them spoke.
“What was that?” she whispered.
Victor’s usual teasing smile returned, although there was something different in his eyes now.
“I have no idea,” he said.
Chloe stared at him, still trying to understand why she hadn’t stopped him.
“You need to leave before…” she stopped.
“Before what?” “Before I tell the Don you’re chasing after his fiancée.” “That will not be good,” Victor agreed, placing a tender kiss on her neck.
“He could kill me.” Chloe moaned, her body trembling as she bit her lower lip.