In the middle of the room, lit by a soft light on the wall, hung a brand-new, framed portrait.
Her portrait.
She stared at it, frozen in place.
It was a picture of her, beautifully painted, looking almost as if she were being put on display for everyone to admire.
The portrait hung proudly right beside a large photograph of the Don.
Livy’s heart began to pound.
Why the hell was there a portrait of her in this house?
Well, she would worry about that later.
Right now she needed to find a phone.
She began searching the table with shaking fingers.
”Looking for a midnight snack, mille fiore?” A deep voice sounded from behind her.
Livy froze.
Her breath caught in her throat.
Slowly, she turned around.
On the sofa, sitting bare chested was Antonio, holding a glass in his hand.
He looked completely relaxed, sitting in the dim light of the room.
He took a slow sip of his drink and watched her with dark, steady eyes.
Livy’s hands shook as she stared at him, too shocked to speak.
Antonio set his glass down on the small table next to the sofa and stood up.
Livy instinctively bolted to the door, but Antonio caught her from behind, wrapping his arms around her tightly.
”Let me go,” she demanded.
”Careful, baby,” he murmured against her skin.
“Struggle any harder and I’ll bend you over that table right now.” With a sharp movement, she brought her foot down hard onto his bare foot.
He hissed, instantly releasing his grip.
The moment he let go, Livy spun around and struck him hard across the cheek with an open palm.
Antonio didn’t flinch, instead he closed the distance between them, pulling her right back into his arms.
”I’m warning you,” he said, his voice low.
“Don’t test my patience.” For a moment, they stared at each other.
Then Antonio released her.
Livy stumbled back, breathing hard.
He calmly walked over to the table, picked up his glass, and took another slow sip as though nothing had happened.
”Now, what the fuck do you want here?” Livy swallowed hard.
“I was looking for something to eat.
I’m hungry.” “I would think the kitchen would have been the best place to look.” “Well, I…” Livy hesitated.
“I don’t know where the kitchen is.” Antonio stared at her for a moment.
“You walked halfway across the hallway in the middle of the night, found my private office, and somehow ended up here because you were hungry?” She said nothing.
His smirk deepened.
“W1e had dinner downstairs, so probably that’s where the kitchen will be.” “Why are you keeping me locked up here.
You already married me, just let me go.” “Locked up?” Antonio repeated, one eyebrow lifting.
“I believe you walked right out of your room.” “That doesn’t mean I’m free.” “No?” “You have guards everywhere.
I can’t leave this prison, and you put a tracker on my ankle.” Antonio took another slow sip of his drink.
“And yet, here you are.
Wandering around my study in the middle of the night.” Livy glared at him.
“I was looking for a phone.” “I know.” Her eyes narrowed.
“You knew?” “I was waiting for you, actually.” His mouth curved into a faint smirk.
“That’s why I left the door open.” She shook her head in disbelief.
“I want to talk to my mother.” “You’re gonna have to earn it, baby.” “How?” Antonio studied her with an amused expression.
“I have a few ideas.” She stared at him for a moment before realization dawned.
“You sick bastard.” A low chuckle escaped him.
“You’re the one who asked.” He stepped toward her and she immediately backed away.
“Don’t.” “Don’t what?” he murmured.
“As I recall, it’s our wedding night.” The words sent a chill straight through her.
Before he could take another step, she bolted through the doorway.
She ran blindly down the corridor, her bare feet slapping frantically against the cold marble.
Then her foot slipped, and Antonio caught her just in time, his strong hands closing firmly around her waist.
The corridor was empty and silent.
Livy’s eyes widened, as he backed her against the stone wall and brushed her lips with an unexpected kiss.
“You have fire, Livy Reed,” he breathed.
For one fleeting second, neither of them moved.
Then everything changed.
Her hand slipped behind him.
Her fingers found the handgun tucked into the back of his trousers.
She pulled it free and immediately pressed the cold barrel against his chest.