Damage by Natasha Knight

Author:Natasha Knight [Knight, Natasha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Natasha Knight

18

Gabriela

The house is dark but for the light that pours from Stefan’s study. I hear Clara’s familiar, irritating laughter and almost stop as my hands fist. I wonder if Rafa notices this shift in me. I think he might because it’s then that he puts his hand at my lower back. I hurry my step until he’s not touching me and I’m standing just inside the study.

“I didn’t realize we still had guests,” I say, my eyes on Clara.

She finishes her champagne and I hate that she looks so perfect. That she’s wearing white. Isn’t it in poor taste to wear white to a wedding that’s not your own?

Why do you care?

Stefan and Clara both stand.

Clara looks me over as she walks toward me. I smell her perfume when she leans to kiss my cheek, or more accurately, to touch her icy cheek to mine.

“Congratulations,” she says to me, drawing back. “Welcome to the family.”

Family. Christ. Who’s worse, the Marchese’s or the Sabbioni’s? We take dysfunction to a whole other level.

“Ready to go, Clara?” Rafa asks.

She goes to Rafa, stands a little closer than what I’d think is normal for cousins but I’m apparently the only one who notices the oddity.

“See you tomorrow, Stef,” Rafa says as he gestures for Clara to walk out ahead of him.

“See you then,” Stefan says and a moment later, he closes the door and turns to face me.

“Are they together?” I ask.

“They’re cousins.”

“But are they together?”

Stefan shrugs, walks behind his desk to take out a folder. “They fuck now and again, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Did the three of you…” I start but stop as soon as I hear my own words.

Stefan’s eyes gleam and he gives me a one-sided grin. “For all your inexperience you have a dirty mind.”

I steel my spine. “You all seem so cozy. Always have.”

“Clara likes to have fun.”

He doesn’t deny it. I wish he did. Wish he’d tell me I was crazy.

“You’re my wife, Gabriela.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t ask out of jealousy, just curiosity. You can fuck whoever you like.”

He comes around the desk, his walk that of a predator. He doesn’t waste words or give me any space, but one hand fists my hair and he walks me backward until I’m at the wall.

“Be very careful.”

“I’m just telling you it’s okay. Isn’t that what you want?”

His gaze skims my face, hovering for a moment at my mouth before returning to my eyes. “So you’re giving me your permission?” He shakes his head, snorts. “Are you expecting the same allowance from me?”

“I don’t need your allowance.”

His fist tightens and I lean my head backward a little, trying to alleviate the pain.

“This is a sham. You and I both know it,” I say.

He studies me for a long moment but then abruptly releases me and steps backward. “The papers are ready.”

Yes. The papers. The reason for this whole thing.

I glance to his desk, to the stack of pages awaiting my signature. “You’ll take me to see him?”

He nods.

“Do you promise?”

“I promise.

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