Helena's POV
After leaving the jewelry store, we went to buy my wedding gown, lingerie, underwear, etc.
We moved from one shop to another for hours, spending more than two hundred million dollars. We were finally done and went to the car to drive home. I was too exhausted.
Vincenzo only dropped me home, saying he had a meeting to attend. I got inside, too tired to take off my clothes. I closed my eyes, and it wasn't long before I fell asleep.
"Good morning, kitten," Vincenzo murmured, leaning down and kissing my forehead.
I rubbed my eyes to get rid of the sleep, then blinked a couple of times to adjust to the light. Turning my head slightly, Vincenzo's cute smiling face came into view.
"Morning," I replied, wondering what in the world he was up to.
Cupping my cheek, he brushed his thumb over it gently. "Are you tired?" he asked, sounding concerned.
"Yes, I'm a little exhausted," I nodded.
"Okay," Vincenzo said, getting out of the bed and coming over to my side, gently pulling me out of the duvet that covered me and wrapping a light pink robe around me.
He ushered me into the bathroom, stopping me just an inch away from the tub. He removed my robe, then allowed me to climb inside the tub.
As soon as my body touched the water, I felt relaxed. The water temperature was warm and smelled amazing; he must have added some amazing bath liquid fragrance.
Vincenzo settled in the water with me. He pulled me over to him, my back against his chest.
He cupped some water in his hands and let it trickle over my body. He repeated it a few times, then did the same to himself. He was so gentle, as if washing me too much would make me break. My mind was going crazy with thoughts about his sudden change in behavior.
He went from beating and threatening me to kissing and caressing me since yesterday. I had this terrible feeling that he was messing with my mind or up to something.
After our bath, he led me out of the tub and wrapped me in another dry, neat robe. Then we both brushed our teeth, after which he led me out of the bathroom to dress.
After getting dressed, we walked out of the walk-in closet. He ushered me to the dining table to eat.
"Tomorrow is our big day, babe, so I want you to look more beautiful. There will be makeup artists who will do your makeup and dress you," he said.
I nodded to show I heard him. "Yes."
"Take these drugs; they will relieve you of any pain or exhaustion," he said, giving me two pills.
"Thank you," I said honestly.
"But why are you being gentle with me? Is it because we are getting married?" I asked.
"This is how I always treated you, kitten," he said, clenching his jaw.
"I'm going to work. See you when I'm back," he said, standing up and walking out without giving me another glance.
Vincenzo POV
I sighed, wishing I could focus on the men sitting around the table talking instead of thinking about how my wedding with Helena is tomorrow.
I had no intention of marrying her now, but when I got a letter from Nathan threatening to take her from me, I had no choice but to use her weak point to marry her.
I remember the first time we had sex. Once I touched her, I could not get enough of her. I wanted her, and hell, I always took what I wanted.
"We have to tighten our security tomorrow because we don't know when the Boris will attack," Jason said, making the rest of my men nod.
"Yes, I want all of you to be on guard tomorrow because I don't want any trouble to arise," I said, staring at all of them.
"Okay, boss, we are going to double the security," Jason replied.
The meeting ended after about ten minutes, but I could not get up from my seat.
"Why are you still here?" Matteo asked, standing beside Jason.
"Why her?" I muttered. "I just don't get it. The spy we caught mentioned Nathan working for someone," I said, thinking.
"Who would want to attack you by using Nathan?" Matteo asked.
"Let's start from when Nathan betrayed you," Jason replied, making Matteo and me stare at him.
"Let's start from when Nathan betrayed you," Jason said again, leaning forward on the table.
I leaned back in my chair, my jaw tightening.
Nathan used to be loyal. He worked under me for five years. Quiet. Smart. Efficient. I trusted him enough to handle shipments personally. That was my first mistake.
"He started changing after the Moscow deal," Matteo added. "That was when he began asking too many questions."
I nodded slowly. "And that was when the Russian contract went missing for twenty minutes."
Jason's eyes darkened. "You think someone bigger is behind him?"
"I don't think," I muttered coldly. "I know."
Nathan didn't have the balls to go against me alone. Someone was backing him. Someone powerful enough to think they could challenge me.
"And now he threatens to take Helena from me," I added quietly.
Matteo and Jason exchanged a look.
"So that's why you're rushing the wedding," Matteo said.
I didn't answer.
Helena was my weakness. I never planned for that. She was supposed to be leverage. A distraction. A possession.
But somewhere between her tears, her defiance, and the way she looked at me like I was both her devil and her safety, she became something else.
Mine.
And I don't share what's mine.
"Tomorrow," I said firmly, standing up. "If anyone dares to interrupt my wedding, I will burn their entire bloodline."
Jason smirked. "That's the Don I know."
Helena's POV
The mansion felt different that night.
Too quiet.
Too prepared.
Isabella helped me fold the last of the wedding fabrics laid out on the bed.
"You're lucky," she said softly. "Many girls would dream of this."
I gave her a small smile.
If only she knew.
Lucky wasn't the word I would use.
Trapped? Yes.
Confused? Definitely.
In love with the devil? Maybe.
I hated myself for that last thought.
Later that night, I stood in front of the mirror alone. The engagement ring sparkled under the chandelier light.
One million dollars.
For a marriage that started with a debt.
A knock interrupted my thoughts.
Before I could answer, Vincenzo walked in.
He didn't say anything at first. He just looked at me.
Not cold.
Not cruel.
Just looking.
"You're thinking too much," he said finally.
"You're always watching me," I replied quietly.
"I always watch what belongs to me."
There it was again.
That word.
Belongs.
"Am I just property to you?" I asked before I could stop myself.
His expression darkened slightly, but not in anger.
"If you were just property," he said slowly, stepping closer, "you wouldn't be wearing my ring."
My heart beat faster.
"Then what am I?" I whispered.
He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
"You're my wife tomorrow," he said. "And that makes you untouchable."
Untouchable.
The word sent both comfort and fear through me.
"And if someone tries?" I asked.
His eyes turned deadly.
"Then they die."
A chill ran down my spine not because I doubted him.
But because I knew he meant it.
He leaned down, pressing his forehead gently against mine.
"Sleep," he murmured. "Tomorrow will be long."
As he walked away, I realized something terrifying.
For the first time since I met Vincenzo Esposito
I felt safer with him than without him.
And that scared me more than the mafia ever could.
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