LEY

ny silver plates by the butler, who

oom with a rich, buttery scent that made it feel smaller. M

ent. I looked at my stomach like it ha

redom, but my grip hesitated just enough to show weakness. The first sl

brain caught up. I slipp

arly m

obscene in how good it was. My eyes nearly r

mn

than necessary, like I wanted everyone at th

slid through the

I could feel his stare, a weight pressing on

I said, chin hi

rough his steak, each movement accurate, practiced. Not a scratch

eigning a yawn. "Don't get used to it.

ase

rs tightening on the stem. He wasn't mocking. Not this time. It was softe

oked

world

long table, shiny plates, and even my parents seemed to fad

e, creating a bond that fe

breath shallow. I panicked,

my mouth just to break the tension. A

cally....he was still there, lounging like a ki

ortlessly into calm business talk. Like I'd imagine

worse than my fathe

n louder than it should've been. I turned away from Santino...f

t stone t

e. But I saw it. A whisper of comfort. A reminder t

inked, fillin

t to take center stage. His voice rang too cheerful, too polished. "If

e

dripped

ng from my face. My fist curled under the tableclo

st dinner. Thi

nst every warning screami

ate. Maybe he would say no. Maybe he'd refuse. Ma

unyielding. He wasn't thinking. He was

id finally.

reeping smirk that turned his

ice silk over steel. He let the pause hang, savor

hed through m

car. A thing to be owned, p

y ribs, trying to break free. The air itsel

He knew what he'd just done. He'd branded me with a word. He'd st

t won a war without lifting a finger. My mo

of my neck down to my toes. A da

shiver that

the beginning of a