Page 26

After another week of locking myself in my bedroom to avoid Satan, Silvia finally convinced me that if she and I were to ever get out, I needed to be able to exist around him. I needed to know what he was up to. If Nereus was… still alive.

Antonio and I were supposed to be on our honeymoon right now, but I’d be damned if I went anywhere romantic with him. Alone. It seemed to be a win win situation since he had work obligations to fulfill anyway.

“After you… left.” Rosalia paused to find her words and my eyes were back on her. “My boss had a lot— or rather, a lot more tension. Miss Amelia made the suggestion,” she further explained.

I was taken aback. “And he agreed to it?”

She merely shrugged, standing up straight. “She made this her home for an entire year, refusing to leave his side. I’m sure she just insisted until saying no wasn’t an option,” she mused and I slowly nodded, grabbing my last grape.

“Is anyone else allowed in there?”

“No, Miss. Only Mr. Antonio is allowed.”

“Where is it? I don’t want to accidentally stumble in and invade his privacy,” I lied but of course, she saw right through me.

Her eyebrow lifted but when I smiled, she ultimately gave in. “Downstairs. Near the back entrance.”

“Got it.” I slipped the grape into my mouth. “Thank you so much.” I blew her a kiss and headed in that exact direction.

I crept down the hallway until I reached two glass doors with a wooden interior, lit with a soft, orange glow.

With a grin I peeled my clothes off and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around my body. The room was filled with steam as I approached it. Slowly, I pushed the door open and didn’t miss the rise and fall of his chest. He was sitting upright with his head thrown back, shirtless with a towel around his hips.

“This seat taken?” I asked, closing the door behind myself.

A devious grin danced across my lips but when he opened his eyes to finally look at me, my face fell flat with innocence.

He stayed silent and I pulled the towel from my body. I laid the towel down, feeling his eyes on me as I sat down, getting comfortable.

“Don’t know what you’ve been up to since my departure.” I casually explained. “Or who you’ve been up,” I added in a low murmur.

I slightly shifted my shoulders, resting my head back with my eyes closed.

His tone was gruff. “What do you want?”

“It’s a sauna, what do you think?” I shot back.

“Personal sauna. Get out.” He emphasized, and I slightly parted my legs in an attempt to present that I was simply getting comfortable.

“Shh,” I shushed him, fighting back my smile.

“Nirah,” he warned but I didn’t pay him any mind. Silence dwelled between us and I was unsure whether or not he had accepted my company, was watching me, or simply needed a second to plot my death.

The air shifted beside me and I yelped as he hauled me up and over his shoulder. My fingers gripped his sweaty waist and my eyes widened when they landed on my towel left behind.

“Antonio!” I reprimanded as he carried me out and into the colder house. A chill rippled through me, goosebumps spreading across every inch of my naked skin. “Let me go!” I banged my fist into his back but it did nothing.

We stopped and he unlocked the back door, allowing the icy breeze to whirl past, making me shudder.

Then, he gripped my waist and tossed me forward onto the grass. I choked out a scream before the door shut in my face.

I jumped up, the cold pricking my skin as I leaped for the door. “Open the door, Antonio,” I banged both fists against the hard metal, fighting against the cold.

“Sir?” I could hear Rosalia’s tremulous voice. “Is that miss Nirah? Is everything okay?” she asked.

“Yes,” his voice was clipped. “Now get back to work,” he dismissed her and there was momentary silence before her footsteps retreated.

“I’m going to die of hypothermia, you asshole!” I banged on the door with both fists, the cold air nipping at my bare skin. “Antonio!” My teeth clattered.