Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 65987 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65987 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
"Are you cold?" I asked, more to break the silence than out of genuine concern. The car's temperature was, like everything else in my life, precisely controlled.
She shook her head without looking at me. "No."
I watched her from the corner of my eye as I navigated through traffic. "You'll have your own space at Villa Luca," I said, keeping my voice calm, matter-of-fact. "Complete privacy when you want it."
She nodded slightly but didn't respond. Was she regretting her decision already? Second guessing the choice to trust me? I couldn't read her thoughts, and the uncertainty gnawed at me, a novel and unwelcome sensation. I’d grown accustomed to knowing exactly where I stood with everyone in my orbit, and could read most people. Belle remained stubbornly opaque, even as I felt increasingly transparent under her gaze. Of course, she wasn’t like anyone in my orbit.
As we left the city proper, the traffic thinned, and I accelerated. The powerful engine responded instantly, a familiar comfort. Belle's hand tightened on the door handle, and I eased off the gas slightly, unused to considering another's comfort in these small ways.
"How far is it?" she asked finally, her voice quiet in the dim interior.
"About twenty minutes more." I gestured toward the horizon where the city lights gave way to darkness. "Villa Luca sits on its own land outside the city limits. More privacy. Better security."
As we turned onto a less traveled road, Belle shifted in her seat, leaning forward slightly as the landscape changed. The urban sprawl had given way to carefully maintained woodland, the road winding through property that had been in my family for three generations. I slowed as we approached the gates, satisfaction curling through me at the small gasp that escaped her lips when Villa Luca came into view.
Even at night, the estate was impressive, the main house illuminated by strategic lighting that highlighted its Mediterranean lines without compromising security. Three stories of cream-colored stone rose against the night sky, climbing roses and ivy softening what might otherwise have been austere. The wrought iron gates ahead bore the Luca family crest, an intricate design that combined old-world craftsmanship with subtle modern security features.
"This is where you live?" Belle's voice was barely audible, tinged with something between awe and apprehension.
"This is home," I confirmed, slowing as we approached the gates. They swung open smoothly at our approach, sensors recognizing the car. I didn't mention the armed guards who monitored every vehicle, nor the extensive camera system that tracked movement throughout the grounds. Those were details Belle would learn gradually.
We passed through the gates and onto a winding driveway lined with century-old olive trees. Belle was fully alert now, her earlier withdrawal replaced by wide-eyed fascination. I watched her take in the beauty of my family home stretching into darkness beyond the illuminated drive.
"It's beautiful," she said softly, almost as if speaking to herself. "Like something from a fairy tale."
"The main house was built by my great grandfather," I said, slowing as we approached the circular drive in front of the villa. "My grandfather expanded it, as did my father. I've modernized the interior, but kept the original character."
We pulled to a stop at the base of wide stone steps leading to the main entrance. The front door opened before I'd even cut the engine, my brother, Gabriel, trotted down the out to open Belle’s door to help her out. I saw Belle tense at the sight of him, her fingers curling into her palm.
"It's all right," I said, placing my hand over hers briefly. "Gabriel’s my brother. He lives on the grounds. All my brothers do as well as Marcus and a few of the other bodyguards. Most of the staff do, too."
Belle looked impossibly small against the backdrop of Villa Luca. Vulnerable. Beautiful. Mine to protect. I knew Vittorio would say I was losing my mind, and maybe I was. Belle was mine. Somehow, I’d imprinted on her. No matter what happened between us now, I knew I’d never let her go. The trick would be not to scare her off before she formed the same bond with me. If I had to manipulate and spoil her to get her there, that’s what I’d do. And I’d thoroughly enjoy the spoiling.
“Welcome!” Gabriel tugged Belle in for an embrace. Belle was stiff in my brother’s arms, but didn’t push him away. I knew this was Gabriel’s way of testing her. As the public face of the family, he knew how to turn on the charm when necessary. If Belle had any other motive, if there was someone pulling her strings to get to me, Gabriel would know after this encounter. Then he’d satisfy Vittorio.
Gabriel held her longer than strictly necessary and Belle pushed back against him. She wrinkled her nose before ducking her head and taking a full step backwards. “Um, hi.” She gave her fingers a little wave before lowering her gaze again.