Chapter 6 Disobedience Has a Price

Alina stared at the crumpled piece of paper in her hand, Dante's cruel rules burning into her memory.

You belong to me.

The words made her skin crawl.

Her pulse was still erratic from the way he had touched her, his fingers wrapped around her throat as if he had the right to claim her. She wasn't some possession, some thing he could own.

I have to get out of here.

She moved quickly, heading toward the windows. She had tried them last night, but maybe, in the light of day, she'd find a weakness.

She grabbed the heavy curtain and yanked it back, her breath hitching at what she saw.

Steel bars.

Not just on her window, but on every window facing the courtyard.

Her chest tightened. He had locked her in a gilded cage-beautiful on the outside, but impenetrable.

A sharp knock on the door made her jump.

Before she could even respond, the door swung open, and Lucia stepped inside, a tray of food in her hands.

"You should eat," Lucia said, setting the tray on the table. "You'll need your strength."

Alina narrowed her eyes. "For what?"

Lucia didn't answer. Instead, she glanced at the open curtain and then at Alina's clenched fists. A knowing look passed over her face.

"You're already thinking about running, aren't you?" she said.

Alina lifted her chin. "What if I am?"

Lucia exhaled, crossing her arms. "I'll give you one piece of advice, Mrs. Valenti-don't."

Alina let out a bitter laugh. "Because Dante will punish me?"

Lucia's gaze darkened. "Because he's worse than you think."

Alina's throat went dry.

She knew Dante was cruel. She knew he hated her. But there was something in Lucia's voice-something that made her stomach twist.

Lucia sighed and stepped closer. "Eat your food. The boss expects you downstairs in an hour."

Alina wanted to ask why, but Lucia was already heading toward the door.

As the lock clicked behind her, Alina looked at the untouched plate of food. She had no appetite.

Instead, she moved to the mirror, her own reflection staring back at her-pale, tired, but not broken.

Dante wanted her obedience?

He would never get it.

One Hour Later

Alina was led down the winding staircase by two armed guards. The Valenti mansion was eerily quiet, the sound of her own footsteps echoing through the grand hall.

The guards stopped at a set of double doors and pushed them open, revealing a massive dining room.

And there he was.

Dante sat at the head of the table, dressed in another sharp black suit, a whiskey glass in his hand. His dark eyes lifted to her as she entered.

"Sit."

Alina's pulse quickened, but she kept her expression neutral as she slowly moved toward the chair across from him.

She sat, but she didn't touch the plate in front of her.

Dante took a slow sip of his drink before setting the glass down. "I hear you've been testing your limits already."

Alina's fingers curled in her lap. Lucia must have told him.

She didn't respond.

Dante leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "Let me make something clear, wife. I don't tolerate disobedience."

Alina met his stare, defiance burning in her chest. "And I don't tolerate being treated like a prisoner."

For a second, something flickered in his eyes-amusement, maybe.

Then, he moved.

Fast. Too fast.

Before she could react, he was beside her, his fingers gripping her chin, forcing her to look up at him.

His touch wasn't rough, but it wasn't gentle either. It was a reminder-a warning.

"You seem to think you have power here," Dante murmured, his voice deadly soft.

Alina swallowed hard, refusing to break eye contact. "And you seem to think fear will control me."

Dante let out a slow, dark chuckle. "Oh, Alina." His thumb brushed over her jaw, deceptively soft. "You have no idea what fear really is."

Her breath caught.

He released her suddenly, stepping back, his gaze unreadable.

"Eat," he ordered. "I won't ask again."

Alina stared at the plate, her stomach twisting. She had a choice-submit, or fight.

And she had never been one to surrender.

Slowly, she lifted her fork-but instead of eating, she deliberately pushed the plate away.

Dante went still.

The air in the room shifted, thick with tension.

Then, he smirked.

"Looks like I'll have to teach you some manners, wife."

Alina's pulse hammered as he stood, his towering presence closing in on her.

But she lifted her chin, refusing to show fear.

Because no matter what Dante Valenti did-

She would never break.