Game

A/N: Small spoiler alert from my book The Sweetest Temptation.

Remo stared at the woman in front of him. He should have declined her request but he was bored.

Killing gets boring sometimes he needed some excitement in his life and this woman seemed like the perfect adrenaline he needed.

Marriage? Him? A subtle smirk played on his lips. Never in his wildest dream did he think that he would be committed to a woman.

Perhaps with Izabella, but after her death he lost interest in this whole marriage charade.

Don't get him wrong, he has seen how his sister and brothers were happy.

His sister had two men who worshiped the grounds she walked on and her daughter was a little ray of sunshine.

Matteo was literally obsessed with Stella and now that she was pregnant he literally wouldn't leave her alone.

Ares and his friends were busy gang banging with some blonde girl the last time he had seen him.

It had been a shock since his little brother was the least person he would expect to engage in something so forbidden. Well it seemed everyone had their own twisted fantasies.

But he seemed happy. They all seemed to understand each other and they adored the girl.

Now it was left with him, he couldn't wait to see the shock in their eyes when he announced to them that he was married.

A woman like Abigail Falcone will be the least woman they will be expecting him to marry.

Oh now this was going to be fun. He couldn't wait.

"So tell me if I marry you, do you have any conditions I should know about? Afterall, this is a business transaction nothing more nothing less."

"Y-yes."

Remo leaned in slightly, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "I'm all ears, Miss Falcone. Lay out your terms. But remember, I'm not one for attachments. This is purely a game we're playing, right?"

"R-right but I-I " she swallowed, closing her eyes briefly like she was summoning her strength to say her next words.

"I want respect. If you can't give me even an ounce of affection then I want your respect." She said it in one breath.

"I-I know you've needs and I-I know I'm not attractive or the kinda girl you normally sleep with but—"

A wide smug smile covered over those perfect lips of his as he waited for her to continue.

It wouldn't take a genius to understand what she was expecting of him.

"But what Miss Falcone?" He taunted.

A faint blush tainted her cheeks, "You can't—bring another woman to our house. You can do anything you want outside but inside our house y-you're mine."

Remo's amusement deepened, his eyes holding a playful glint. "Ah, possessive, are we? Very well, those terms don't seem too demanding. Respect and exclusivity within our abode. Anything else?"

Abigail's gaze flickered with a mix of determination and uncertainty. "I... I want to be involved in your businesses. Not just a bystander, but a partner. I have ideas, skills that could be beneficial."

He leaned back, intrigued by her proposition. "Partner, you say? Impressive. And what kind of involvement are you envisioning, Miss Falcone?"

Her voice grew firmer, a glimpse of her confidence showing. "I want a seat at the table. To contribute, make decisions, have real influence. I know I have to prove myself, but I'm not just here to be a silent wife."

Remo studied her intently, his smirk softening into a thoughtful expression. "You're more complex than you seem, Miss Falcone. I can appreciate that. Consider your terms accepted."

A spark of surprise lit up in her eyes. "You... you agree just like that?"

He chuckled, a low, rich sound. "Life's too short to be boring, isn't it? If we're going to play this game, let's make it interesting."

Abigail's lips curved into a hesitant smile. "Thank you."

"But remember," Remo leaned in again, his voice lowering to a husky tone, "this is still a business transaction. We might have an unconventional arrangement, but emotions won't be part of it. Are we clear?"

She nodded, her eyes steady as they met his. "Crystal clear."

"Then welcome to the game, Mrs. Falcone," he said with a wicked glint in his eyes. "Let's see just how interesting things can get."