Chapter 5

• ALESSA
• Alessa had cried all day. At first, she'd refused to eat, staying in bed after the wedding. She'd shredded her wedding dress even though she knew Marcella had spent almost one hundred dollars on it.
• Marcella’s warning kept ringing through Alessa's head. Why would Marcella warn her to submit to Gideon so he didn't kill her? Was there something Alessa hadn't been told?
• By six in the evening, she'd decided crying wasn't going to do much. No one had come to her room except the servant who had asked if Alessa would like dinner.
• Alessa had stopped fuming long enough to say that she didn't care for dinner. She'd thought up a plan and decided immediately Gideon came back, she'd present it to him.
• But of every thing she'd thought could happen, she hadn't expected to walk into his office and see another woman on his lap, lips locked while he held her breasts like the most beautiful thing in the world.
• She stepped inside and froze.
• The woman’s legs were wrapped around him like they belonged there. Her body was close, too close. Alessa’s breath caught in her throat and her heart dropped.
• The woman was beautiful. Her long, dark hair flowed over her shoulders, and her tight black dress sparkled in the low light.
• She looked like she belonged in a movie, not in this room. Her lips, painted bright red, curled into a small smile as she leaned closer to Gideon, whispering something that made him laugh.
• They were laughing at her. He was laughing at her. She could have died of embarrassment.
• Alessa’s chest tightened. She forced her voice out, though it shook and croaked. She pointed at the woman. “Get off him.”
• The woman turned her head slowly and looked at Alessa like she was a bug on the floor. Then she laughed, a sharp, cold sound that made Alessa’s cheeks burn.
• Alessa’s eyes went to Gideon. He didn’t look surprised. He didn’t even look guilty. Instead, he leaned back, his arm still resting on the woman’s waist, and raised an eyebrow.
• “And who,” Gideon said, his voice sharp, “gave you the right to tell me or my mistress what to do?”
• Alessa’s face flamed hot. She swallowed hard, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. So that was what it was. Had Marcella also had to deal with a cheating husband? “I’m your wife.”
• The woman on his lap threw her head back and laughed again, this time louder. She stood, slow and graceful, like she owned the room.
• Alessa stepped back as the woman walked toward her, her hips moving from side to side beautifully. Alessa certainly understood why she was Gideon's mistress.
• If Gideon was one of the most handsome men she had seen, it made sense that his mistress was one of the most beautiful woman too.
• “You really think that means anything?” the woman asked, her red lips curving into a mocking smile. Hee voice was soft, but her eyes were hard like pebbles.
• Alessa stared at her, speechless. Tyra turned to Gideon. “She’s adorable.”
• “Tyra,” Gideon said, his tone sharp now. He motioned toward the door with his chin. “Give me a minute.”
• Tyra smiled at him, then walked back to the table, leaned down, pressing her lips to his cheek.
• Gideon pressed his hand into her waist, whispered something that made her giggle, and Tyra looked back at Alessa.
• Alessa looked away, her stomach twisting with hate and disgust. Was she really deserving of this? Had she done something so terrible in her last life?
• At the door, Tyra stopped and looked back at Alessa who was still frozen. “Sweetheart, if you really thought he’d be faithful, you’re in for a long marriage.”
• She walked out, slamming the door behind her. The sound made Alessa flinch.
• For a moment, the room was quiet. Alessa stared at the floor, her hands shaking fast. She felt tears sting her eyes but forced them back. She wouldn’t cry in front of him.
• “Why didn’t you come down for dinner?” Gideon’s voice broke the silence, cold and direct.
• Alessa lifted her head. He wasn’t looking at her. He was pouring himself a drink, as if nothing had happened.
• “I wasn’t hungry,” she said quietly.
• He turned, holding the glass in his hand. “So, why are you here?”
• Alessa hesitated. Her throat felt tight, but she made herself speak. “I have a deal to make.”
• His brow twitched, and for a second, she thought she saw a moment of surprise. But it was gone as quickly as it came.
• “Well?” he asked, sitting back down. “Get to the point.”
• Alessa took a shaky breath. Her voice broke as she spoke. “I’d like to travel back to Montenegro.”
• Gideon tilted his head, studying her. Then he smiled, but it wasn’t kind. “You want to go home?”
• “Yes.”
• He leaned forward, setting his drink down on the desk. “Let me make this clear. That’s not your home anymore. This is. And as long as you’re my wife, you’ll do as I say. And whatever deal you want to make, forget it.”
• Alessa’s stomach rolled. She felt like she would vomit.
• She bit her lip, her nails digging into her palms. She wanted to scream, to yell at him, to throw something.
• But all she did was nod. He was right. She was his property. What did it matter what deal she wanted to make with him? Why had she even thought Gideon Falco would ever listen to her?
• “Is that all?” he asked, his brow raised, his lips curled cruelly.
• She nodded again, her throat too tight to speak.
• “Good. Now go back to your room. And don’t bother coming here again unless you have something important to say.”
• Alessa turned and walked to the door. Her legs felt weak, but she made herself keep walking. She opened the door and stepped out into the hall.
• The moment it closed behind her, she let out a soft cry. The tears she’d been holding back spilled over, running down her cheeks.
• She allowed herself to cry some more of the tears she'd thought had finished that afternoon.
• Inside, she felt blank. Dead. But the tears just kept coming.
• Alessa jerked back, cleaning her tears when the voice came out of the dark. Someone was calling her name.
• “Alessa?”