Chapter 1 - THE WIFE HE CLAIMED
“I'm not yours.”
The words hung between us across the breakfast table.
Antonio Russo stared at me.
The ocean stretched endlessly behind him, blue and glittering beneath the Caribbean sun.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he leaned back.
“That's not what our marriage certificate says.”
I folded my arms.
“A marriage certificate isn't a bill of sale.”
His expression changed.
Something unreadable passed through his dark eyes.
Then he smiled faintly.
“You're right.”
I blinked.
“What?”
He set down his coffee.
“You're right, Sophia.”
I stared.
I had expected anger.
A threat.
Perhaps one of those cold, intimidating speeches that made grown men lower their eyes around him.
Instead, he looked almost amused.
“You're my wife,” he continued. “Not my property.”
I swallowed.
“Then why did you say you were going to claim what's yours?”
Antonio's smile disappeared.
For a moment, he looked toward the ocean.
Then back at me.
“Because I'm not very good at asking for things I want.”
My heart skipped.
“And what exactly do you want?”
His gaze held mine.
“A chance.”
I stared.
He continued.
“A chance to know the woman I married.”
Silence.
Then I laughed nervously.
“You could have started with dinner.”
Antonio smiled.
“Probably.”
I shook my head.
“You're unbelievable.”
He leaned forward.
“Give me two weeks, Sophia.”
“For what?”
“To show you who I am when nobody's watching.”
I looked at him.
Then toward the endless ocean.
A private yacht.
A secret island.
A husband who had barely spoken to me since our courthouse wedding.
And now he wanted a honeymoon.
I swallowed.
“Two weeks.”
Antonio nodded.
“Two weeks.”
I looked at him.
“And if I want to leave?”
His expression softened.
“Marco will take you home.”
I studied his face.
“Promise?”
Antonio extended his hand.
“Promise.”
May you like
I shook it.
And that was the first time I realized the most dangerous man in New York might be trying to learn how to be a husband.
