TANYA’S POVI averted my eyes from Rodrigo's intimidating glare as he studied me. The sunlight through the open windows highlighted his features, adding to his commanding presence. Why did he care if I seemed upset? My earlier conviction that he had sinister intentions was wavering, but I couldn't afford to let my guard down."No, it's better if I don't pay too much attention to this," I thought. But then, my mind drifted to the men he fought off at the ice cream shop that day. There had to be some truth to his concern for me.I mentally chastised myself for pondering something so trivial when I had a much bigger secret to keep. Rodrigo asked for the truth, but revealing it would mean instant death. I wasn't ready for that; I'd rather run than stay here and face his wrath for betrayal.I considered that when I went to my room a few minutes after returning to the house. We still went to the mall to get a few things to make my outing appear convincing, even if the interest in shopping h
RODRIGO’S POVI can't even remember why I was sitting here eating dinner with her. The room was as silent as mine, so there was no point. I could feel the fear rolling off in waves from Tanya, sitting across from me. That alone was enough to make me lose interest in any conversation. She seemed to be holding herself with some fourth sense of composure, and I was afraid of what I would see if it snapped. The way she ran from me yesterday, the image haunted me throughout the night despite my best attempts to brush it off. It shouldn't bother me as much as it did, but I couldn't get over the look in her eyes when I shot Sandez. This must have been the first time she saw me kill anyone, another reminder of why she couldn't belong in my world. It was too dangerous, and I wouldn't be able to hide the monster in me from her. Wasn't it strange that I wanted to hide that part of me?"Rodrigo," she said, her voice nearly echoing in the silence that enveloped us. I paused my eating and looked
TANYA’S POV "Mistress, someone's outside waiting to see you," Maria said, standing before my open door. "Fabio," I whispered, looking up from what I was writing. I'd been drafting out questions that I would ask him as I subtly tried to lead him to reveal something important about Rodrigo. "I'll be down in an instant. Let him wait in the parlor," I said. Maria nodded and backed away from the doorway. My eyes skimmed through the words I had written. What are his hobbies? What was his routine like before we got married? What are the laws guiding leadership of the Mafia world? What is his backstory? They weren't hard for me to remember, but I just hoped I wouldn't freeze up when actually faced with speaking with Fabio. I couldn't. This was my life on the line, and this was my only chance to get my stranger something tangible. I felt like I needed more, but I couldn't think anymore. My mind was back to breakfast, where Rodrigo so shamelessly justified killing Sandez. He literally sai
TANYA’S POV I stood with my heart in my mouth, not even daring to breathe as Rodrigo turned and faced me. The look in his eyes was so cold I felt the temperature in the room drop a few hundred degrees. His lips were stretched in a thin line, hands clenched into fists by his side. He took a few steps closer to me, and I squeezed my eyes shut, knowing for sure that he was going to hit me. All because I invited his brother over; he was going to beat me to a pulp or, if I was lucky, just put a bullet through my head. In my mind, I could see him reaching for his back pocket where he kept the gun, quick and extremely painful. I counted to 60, waiting for the impact, but nothing came. I dared to open my eyes just a crack and glanced around, but he wasn't in front of me or beside me. Had he left the room? I turned slowly to see him standing by the window, overlooking the back garden, his hands folded behind him, and he stood so stiffly. I should have left then, just run out of the r
RODRIGO’S POVI sat behind my work table, staring at my hands. Hands I had used to choke Tanya. It would have been so easy to kill her instantly, but the worst part was that I could have done it. Even now that I didn't, I felt too much regret already, so if I had, I probably wouldn't have been able to live with myself."Fuck!" I cursed, throwing everything off my table in one swift motion. It's a good thing there were just bunches of paper on it. I would have gotten even angrier if I destroyed something valuable.Mostly, I wanted to know why Tanya had to go behind my back and invite Fabio over. Even after I warned her and instructed her not to speak to them without being spoken to first. I sighed. As much as I wanted to hear the answer, I was pretty sure she wouldn't tell me a thing, not now after the way I threatened her.My phone chimed with an alarm. It was nearly dinner time. Well, that was not my business. I wasn't going. I couldn't sit opposite her and have her stare at me in fe
TANYA’S POVI opened the door to his home office a crack and peeked into it. He wasn't there, and I groaned. According to what Maria told me, he should still be home by now, so why, today of all days, should he not follow that schedule?It's funny that I was looking for him after two days of avoiding him. Anytime my mind went to the last night we spent together, I was filled with shame. What was wrong with me?This was someone who had nearly killed me, and I not only let him into my room, I let him touch me. I felt him, too, like none of that ever happened. Either I was seriously deranged or foolish.And I kept wondering why he treated me like he did. Well, because he knew I was weak-willed and easily led. And I wouldn't say I liked that too.What would it have taken me to slam the door in his face when I saw him approaching? I would have liked to see him banging on the door, demanding to get in, while I smiled behind it. It's mahogany. He won't be able to break it down, no matter ho
RODRIGO’S POVI grinned at the shocked expression on Tanya's face as I drew out the seat and sat by the dinner table. It had been a while since I'd had dinner with her, mainly because I didn't know what she thought of me. And today, as I decided to brave up and eat with her, she was looking at me like I was a ghost like she hadn't spoken with me a few hours ago before she went out."What, am I not allowed to have dinner at my table anymore?" I asked, beckoning Maria. She hadn't even served any food on my side. It turns out she was used to me staying away, too."No, of course, you can," Tanya said hurriedly and immediately started coughing.My eyes widened, and I pushed a water bottle closer to her. I watched her drink and then set the water down. She looked away from me, and I found that very amusing.She looked like she'd rather be anywhere but here, and seeing the way she seemed to be avoiding me lately, I sensed that she didn't like me jumping up on her tonight."Why are you so une
TANYA’S POV"My father just died," were the words Rodrigo spoke as he brushed past me when he came back home.I gasped, making to go after him, but he glanced back sharply and glared at me. I shrank back, surprised. Was I wrong to want to console him on this unfortunate incident?Well, with the way he looked at me, it was. I watched him go, wondering how this news would affect our relationship. I thought we were getting somewhere, with him talking with me and letting me into his space. It felt like our relationship was more than just a few pleasurable minutes.Not that I didn't like having pleasurable times with him, but I wanted more than that. I wanted to know that he felt something for me and wasn't just using me. For a moment last night, it felt like my wishes were coming true.Now, though, all I could see was all the progress unravelling. It seems the excellent version of my fake husband was gone. How lucky I was.I sighed, confusion causing my brows to crease. Or do I need to go