My Neighbor's Wife

rom the sight of her and there she lies, snoring softly, her nightdress coverin

Bloody,

"Sir,

guest wing tidied." I groan at the thought of her in my sheets, in my bed, in my fucking house

s I meet out more instructions, but he doesn't ask quest

er features peaceful. There are purple bruises along her cheekbones and cuts on her neck and arms. Breathing slowly, but steadily thro

tory. I shouldn't have brought her to my estate, but I'd found

mmer. There are no colognes attached to her scent, only the soft smell of soap in her hair, mingling

off the wrong message, when her eyes snap open. The light grey of them are glaz

g into my nose, I straighten, slipping my hand

t me. She turns her head around my home, confusi

," I scoff. "This is

ide as saucers as she takes in the villa, the statues, the pool house, the fountains and

hat Jaxon is alive and well. At the hospital, but he has a concussion at best." It had taken a few calls a

ith something kindling to

? A family member, perhaps? I'm sure you understand that you can't stay here, and while I'd

r and her eyes turn shifty. "You do not need t

out, a sudden need to hear h

idea how hard that makes me, saying my name like it's a bloody caress. Her eyes flicks from the ground t

bored and stern. "Would you prefer I took you back to the bridge, Mrs. Hawke? I honestly don't give two shits where you sleep tonight. I've l

on breathing so close to my face with an uncanny fire in her eyes as she tells me, "Do not

re I'm best known for without flinching. The kind that makes men squirm in th

"

ow long he's been standing there for. I'm usually more keyed in to my surroundings. This

ready for use and you have

of dread in my belly. I nod once, heading inside without giving the woman anoth

, but one from my step grandmother? It means something's wrong back at Milan. The woman never cal

d pluck the landline, pressin

brother was shot

the phone and I suck in a de

might as well be. He's in a coma, and though we have the best doctors tending t

"Nonna,

e lived. I have loved. I have buried my husband and children. I have grieved and I completely understand your aversion to this world we have built. But you cann

speak to me that way!"

I am reminded of Priya back in that damned box where all of my emotions hide. And I fail horribly. I grip the edge of the table, cussing at th

ht has been booked for tomorrow. Do not let me down. If you do not wish to lead, you know what you must do." Th

I leave my family vulnerable to the brutal politics and power struggle of the world I was born into. A world that learned to fear my very n

no longer a matter of wa

my guest, half expecting to find her naked in my bed, but as I twist the

te

Mio--My l

do--Fir