I married the devil on a Wednesday
Ravenna, 1947. Where the men wear suits and the women wear pearls. Where the families circle like wolves and the only thing more dangerous than a Don is his wife.
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The only thing Caterina loves is Caterina.
And the only things I love are money, power, guns—
And, unfortunately, Caterina.
That evil, dangerous devil incarnate woman.
I would not have it any other way.
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"I do not desire love, Vittorio Marchetti." Her voice drops low. Intimate. Like a confession.
"You know that. You have always known that."
She leans forward. Close. Her perfume fills the space between us.
"I want power. Money. Security." Each word measured. Precise. "I would lay with Satan himself if it meant I would get them."
She reaches up. Traces a finger along my jaw.
"So hate me all you want. For what I need is not your heart." That slight smile. Something that has always been there, waiting.
"It is what you can give me."
I catch her wrist. Hold it. Feeling her pulse , it's steady, calm, nothing like mine.
"And if I give you nothing?"
She laughs. That laugh. That cruel laugh. The one from the garden twelve years ago.
"I shall find another who will." She tilts her head. Those blue eyes gleam.
"There is not a shortage of powerful men in the world, Vittorio. But there is only one Ledger."
I tighten my grip. Her pulse does not change.
"I dare you."
She smiles. That smile. The one that has haunted me since I was eighteen.
"And I dare you." Her voice drops low. Intimate. Lethal. "You do not own the cards here, Vittorio. I do. I always have."
"You are my wife."
"I am a woman who married the man who destroyed her life because he was the only path left for her." She pulls against my grip. I hold fast. She does not fight harder. Just waits. Those blue eyes hold mine, steady as stone.
"If a better path appears—if someone stronger comes, someone who can offer more, someone who does not look at me as though he wishes me dead half the time—"
"I will not allow it."
"Let us hope, then." She tilts her head. That slight smile. "Let us hope you remain at the top of the food chain, il mietitore."
She leans closer. Her breath warm against my cheek.
"For I am a snake."