"Of course there's more." I grin at her, tilting my head to the side as I say, "Strip."
"W-What?"
"You heard me, Marzia. Strip naked, right the fuck now."
Shakily, she approaches me.
For a second, I'm convinced she'll cuss me out or try to stop me, but she does nothing of the sort. Instead, she slowly removes her panties and tosses them at me. I catch them, enjoying her furious expression as I pocket the slip of silk. Her nightie follows next, and she tosses that at me too, before standing before me in her full naked glory. She looks fucking amazing, and it takes everything I have in me not to take her then and there. But I need to pace myself. I can't have my fill of Marzia just yet. Not before her punishment is over.
"What now?" she hisses. "Are you going to parade me around the house like this?"
"Thanks for the idea, let's save it for another occasion. I'm sure you're not done disobeying me. But no." I grin at her darkly. "You're free to go, Marzia."
Her eyes widen and then narrow with disbelief. "What do you mean?"
"You're free to go." I make a sweeping motion with my arm. "Your prison is no longer. So feel free to run away from me again."
She keeps staring at me uncertainly, as if she can't quite believe this is real. "Are you serious?"
"Of course." I grin. "Go on, bambina. Run away from me."
She ponders what she should do for a quiet moment before taking off in a flash. I chuckle at her blind naivete. It's not like she'll get far, but I still give her a couple of seconds before I run after her. Marzia will be so fucking crushed when she realizes this was all a game to me—I was never going to let her get away. I just want to crush her hopes of escaping once and for all.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are," I call out as I follow in her footsteps. She must be terrified, scared and cold without any clothes on, but I don't give a damn. She deserves it for letting me down.
I see her running past me and head outside after her, strolling leisurely. The guards let her pass and her own shock slows her down enough to allow my fingers graze over her forearm.
"Come on, Marzia. At least try to make this fucking hard for me..."
She cries, ripping her arm out of my embrace and keeps running. But she seems to have realized she'll never get away from me, and her pace slows down enough for me to stroll after her leisurely.
"This is your lesson," I tell her. "You can never escape me, never outrun me. Wherever you go, I'll be looking over your shoulder, waiting to claim what's mine. No matter how fast you run, no matter how well you hide, you're mine now, Marzia. And I'll never let you go."
We've reached the edge of the forest now. The tall pine trees have thick trunks here.
I can see her hiding behind one, foolishly thinking she can escape me this way. I play with her like a cat with a mouse, allowing her to slip through my fingers and pretending I don't see her, but the moment she tries to take off again, I grab her wrist and pull her trembling, naked body against mine. "Just where the fuck do you think you're going, Marzia?" I whisper darkly against her lips. "I told you. I'm never, fucking ever, letting you go."
She lets out a whimper as I force her arm behind her back, holding her in a grip she can't possibly escape. Hot tears of humiliation roll down her cheeks and it's as if she gives up in that second, her body sagging against mine.
My strong hold on her tightens just so I can keep her upright. If I didn't, she'd collapse on the ground before me. All the fight's gone out of her.
She's meek now. Obedient. At least for now.
14
Marzia
As Adrian brings me back into the house, I go completely numb. Perhaps if I can't feel anything physically, the pain in my mind will fade, too.
I'm caught between conflicting emotions, not knowing who to trust and what to believe. Adrian and the Bernardis are painting my family as the bad guys, but were my parents really the monsters Adrian believed them to be? They've kept me safe my entire life. Yes, they limited what I could and could not do, but at least no one tried to kill me while I was still at our house, which is more than I can say for Adrian's place. Bruno Bernardi still seems dead-set on killing me. In fact, I don't know what Adrian's been doing to keep him away from me.
I don't say a word as Adrian drags me back home. My body is not cooperating anymore and neither is my mind. My thoughts swim with everything that's happened over the past week. My parents being murdered in cold blood by Bruno, Adrian bringing me here only to abandon me soon after. My bottom teeth chatter, the cold biting into my skin as Adrian carries me back to my bedroom. When the first cry rips itself from my lips, even I'm surprised. I don't want to cry in front of Adrian, feeling the shame of letting myself be vulnerable before him biting me like an ice-cold chill. But I can't resist it. My body crumples as I start to sob.
Adrian seems to realize I need some time alone. He puts me in the bed and carefully brushes the hair off my face with his fingers.
I stare up into his eyes accusingly, hating that he doesn't seem any more lenient than he was before.
"I had to do that," he tells me.
"You keep telling yourself that, Adrian."
"Watch that mouth, you don't want to get punished again."
"I don't care anymore." I flop on my back in exasperation. "I don't even care what happens to me anymore."
He stands, gazing at me for a long time before leaving the room.
The door clicks shut softly behind him, and I mourn all the words between us that we left unspoken. A moment later, I hear the click of the lock, smirking to myself.
I must never forget I am Adrian's prisoner.
He could never love me.
And I can never let myself love him.
Days pass, but I barely even notice the change of day into night outside my room. I'm numb, detached. I'm barely alive anymore and my heart has given up at the same time my mind has. I don't see a way out of the Bernardi Estate anymore…I know I'll never be free again. Adrian won't leave me alone again. Now I have a guard aside from Eleanora and I get no time to myself. The stronzo even waits outside the bathroom while I pee.
The three days Eleanora and I are left without food. I barely even notice the pain of being hungry. I'm so distracted, so far away, the pangs of hunger in my stomach feels like they belong to a different person.
Still, amidst all the drama of the past few days, no one has suspected Eleanora left the door open on purpose. Even I don't know the truth, but when she shoves another letter into my hands a few days later, I realize she has kept her secret. My brother and Vitto write to me of the vengeance they hope to seek against the Bernardi family. I reply half-heartedly, scribbling the few sentences, I feel like I have to send back, and watch listlessly for the next letter.
They're the only thing that has my interest anymore, those letters. Everything else is hopeless.
The morning after our three-day-long punishment is over, a breakfast feast is delivered to my quarters. Eleanora gorges herself, but I merely pick at my food, not finding it in me to keep going.
But when we're done eating, Adrian arrives and after him, two servants carry in gift boxes.
I watch the whole parade with zero interest. I just don't care about what he's got up his sleeve now. Although, I can't deny the electric current running under my skin when we see each other. It's been three days, and with a start, I realize how much I missed seeing Adrian.
"I got you some more painting supplies," he tells me.
I wordlessly start opening the packages. My heart jumps, but only a little. I expected more skimpy dresses, more items to humiliate me with. But this is almost... innocent. Almost.
"I want you to paint me again."
"Why?" I ask, uncertain of his intentions.
"Because I said so," he growls. "And because I hung the other portrait in my study. Now you need to make one for yourself."
I can't imagine having a portrait of my captor hanging somewhere in this room, taunting me f
or not being able to escape. I feel both annoyed and turned on and it pisses me off. "Fine," I hiss in response. "Just leave me alone."
He does, and the door locks behind him. There's still a guard outside the door, not to mention the two cameras in my quarters that turn as I walk to capture my every move. Not to mention the anklet which weighs down every step I take.
I set up my easel in the salon, with the window behind me so I have good light. I start painting, not really caring about the outcome on canvas but just about Adrian laying off me. In front of me, his features come to life.
It seems like I've been painting for hours, because when I pull back, the sky has gone dark. It's nighttime.
I turn around, getting ready to wash the paint off my hands and gasp when I see Adrian sitting on the loveseat behind me. "What are you doing here?" I demand.
"I've come to see your masterpiece." He rises up and strolls closer, leisurely examining the canvas I poured all my emotions onto. "I like this one better. I look different."
I follow his gaze to the portrait. It's similar to the first one I did, but Adrian's right. This time, I painted him like a human—bone, flesh, and real emotions hiding behind those eyes.
"I'll have it put up on the wall." He nods. "Tomorrow, while you're getting ready."
"Fine." I shrug carelessly. The thought excites me, which is a welcome change from the numbness I've been feeling for days. It's so hopeless in the Estate. The lack of human contact is killing me. I miss people, talking to someone, saying hello, good morning, good night. I've been sectioned off like an infectious patient. The loneliness is killing me. I turn to Adrian to explain all this and more, but I can't bring myself to speak.
"What is it?" he asks, seeing my expression.
"I'm lonely," I blurt out.
"What?"
I flush, shaking my head as if that can get rid of my embarrassment. "I can't stand being locked in here by myself. It's killing me, Adrian."
"But you were locked in your room at your parents' house."
"Yes, and you know how I got by?" I stare right into his eyes. "By knowing, hoping, that when I got married, things wouldn't be this way. And that I wouldn't have to go from one gilded cage to another. But that's exactly what's happened now."
"How am I supposed to trust you?" he demands. "You ran the last time you had a chance. How am I supposed to know you won't run again?"
"You could take my word for it."
He laughs at my words.
I scowl at him. "You know, like you took your father's word that he wouldn't viciously attack me again."
"I can trust him," Adrian says. "But can I trust you?"
I shrug. "I guess you'll just have to wait and see." I turn to walk away from him.
He grabs my arm and pulls me back. "You're not going anywhere, bambina. Not before we deal with your feelings."
"Since when does Adrian Bernardi care about feelings?" I laugh drily. "Don't kid yourself. You don't care about anyone, least of all me."
"Don't say that."
"Why not? We both know it's true..."
"If I didn't care about you at all," he grunts, digging in his pant pocket. "Why would I have kept this?" He pulls out the golden necklace with my grandmother's wedding ring.
"Technically, you owe it back," I remind him. "You've done me a favor now, just like I did you one. So it's mine."
"You can have it." He hands it over to me.
I wrap my fingers around the slinky golden chain. Its light weight feels important in my hands. It's the only thing I have of my grandmother's, my mama kept all her jewelry. God only knows what the Bernardis have done with it. "Thank you," I mutter despite wanting to continue arguing with Adrian. "I missed having it."
"Marzia, I'm sorry you feel so alone," Adrian goes on.
This surprises me. "Oh, now you've suddenly grown a heart?"
"Would you stop being such a little brat?"
"Hmm, let's see." I tap my finger against my chin. "You killed my parents. Tried to kill my brother and fiancé. Then you kidnapped me and now, you haven't let me eat for three days. What reason do I have not to be a brat, Adrian?"
"If you knew what was good for you, you'd learn to obey."
"I don't obey," I hiss in response. "Especially, not those I hate, stronzo." I pocket the golden chain and glare at him. I wish my heart didn't race as much as it does when Adrian is around. It makes me feel so damn weak. I don't want to be weak. I want to be strong, like my nonna was.
Adrian starts to leave, but something compels me to call out after him. His name rings out in the room, reminding me I'm under his control now. Only his mercy will decide my fate. "You have to let me speak to someone," I say. "Or touch someone... laugh with someone, even cry. I'm starved and it isn't for food."
"You're starved for human contact?" he asks me, hands in his pockets as he coolly regards me with his piercing gaze.
"Yes." I nod eagerly.
"You'd talk to anyone? Let anyone touch you?"
"No—no, well, I..."
"You're so desperate you'd even accept my touch?" he goes on.
Even though a few feet separate us, I feel a frisson of excitement as goosebumps erupt over my skin. It's like he's already touching me. "No, I wouldn't."
"I think you would." He smirks at me, pulling one hand out of his pocket and running it through his dark blonde hair. "Come to me, Marzia."
I shake my head wordlessly, but he stomps his foot on the ground so hard I nearly jump out of my own skin.
"Fucking now!"
I walk closer, the steps painfully slow and tiny, until I'm standing in front of him.
"If you're so fucking desperate," he mocks me. "Maybe you should try asking for what you want."
"I'm not going to beg for anything."
"Suit yourself." He shrugs, turning around.
"Wait!"
"Yes?"
His self-righteous smirk makes me so very angry. "Please. I want someone to talk to."
"The only person you can have is me."
My lips purse. I don't want to talk to him at all. I just have to ignore my entire being screaming, begging, yelling for more of Adrian Bernardi's attention. "I'm not asking."
"You want me to go?"
I fight the urge to stomp and scream. I want to throw a fucking tantrum. "No, I don't want you to go."
"Then ask nicely for more."
"Please, Adrian," I get out through gritted teeth. "I'd like more company. Please."
"And what else?"
"Nothing," I mutter.
"Really?" He smirks, taking a step closer and pushing the hair off my chest, so it falls down my back. "I don't think that's true. Are you lying to me again, Marzia?"
I feel ridiculously exposed in the overly tight dress he picked out for me to wear. "No."
"Prove it then."
"How?"
He grins. "Kiss me. Prove that it means nothing to you."
"You're crazy," I scoff at him. "I'd never kiss you willingly."
"But unwillingly?" He laughs before grabbing me by the waist and pulling me in close. "Unwillingly, I can make you do it all, just for me."
His lips press down on mine.
15
Adrian
At first, Marzia doesn't respond to my kiss. But the longer I keep my mouth on hers, the more she leans into me until I'm fully supporting her weight.
"You can't resist me," I mutter against her mouth. "You will stop running from me soon enough, bambina."
"Never," she breathes as I pull back. Then, her little hands find their way to my cheeks and she pulls me back in. "I'll never stop running." She kisses me this time, clumsy but determined to make my cock hard between my legs.
I'm already fighting the irresistible urge to throw her on her back and have my way with her and if she keeps taunting me like this, I won't be able to last long. Already, my painfully aware cock is hardening against my leg.
I kiss her back, exploring her mouth with my tongue in a
way that's almost vulgar. I don't care. Marzia Da Costa was meant for me and no one else. Vitto Donatti can go fuck himself, because I'm never letting him have her. I hope to ruin her enough by the time he resurfaces, he won't even want Marzia anymore. I'm going to make every inch of her mine. I'll make every bone in her body give in to me, every cell screaming to be dominated by me. It doesn't matter what Marzia thinks she wants. I know she wants… no, needs me. And I'm willing to force her to accept that if she won't deal with the knowledge herself.
My hands clasp behind her back. I pull her in, her body flattened against mine as I deepen our kiss. I love tasting her, but I'm going to love fucking her even more. "Tell me you won't run again," I mutter against her lips. "Swear it to me."
"I…" She bites her lip, an exasperated moan ripping from her lips as I bite her neck. "No."
"You want me to stop, Marzia? We don't have that much time left."
She pulls back. "What do you mean?"
I remember my father's ominous words. Three months, less than that really, but I can't tell Marzia. She'll never stop running then. "Get on the bed."
"What?"
"Get on the fucking bed," I hiss at her.
She stares at me with her eyes wide, and a silent understanding passes between us.
We can be Marzia and Adrian, sworn enemies, hating one another forever. But we can also be this. Us. In these rooms, we're free to explore each other. And that doesn't mean she has to stop hating me.
I accept it, giving her a small nod.
Marzia licks her lips and disappears into the bedroom.
I take a deep breath, hands tightening into fists as I feel my cock throb in my slacks. I can't keep my distance anymore. I already know I will have to give her up if I want her to stay alive. But that doesn't mean I can't ruin her for any other man before she slips through my fingers.
I walk into her bedroom.
She's taken her dress off, her naked body exposed as she lies on her tummy, facing me. The bracelet around her ankle is the only thing left on her.
She's thin, too thin, and worry consumes as I remember taking food away from her. I will never use that as a punishment again. I make a mental note to make sure she's eating from here on out.
Adrian's Vengeance: A Dark Mafia Romance Page 9