“Not now, Bella.” Klaus glared at her. “I know what I’m doing.”
She shook her head, not sure what to do or think. Would he actually kill Mario? Klaus was capable of unspeakable horrors. He’d committed every crime imaginable, so she knew this wasn’t a game.
“He’s my brother.”
This time, he paused, looking her in the eyes. “Take him to my office,” Klaus said. He approached her as the others headed in the other direction.
“What’s happening? This wasn’t part of the plan,” she said.
He cupped her face and kissed her forehead. “It was. I want him to know the pain he thinks he caused me. Once he thinks I’ve kidnapped and killed Mario, we can finally put an end to this.”
“How?”
“He’ll call for vengeance. I know there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to get your brother back. Even if it’s just to save himself from appearing weak.”
“And then what?”
“We all show up. In a public place. My father already has a plan, one that will work. Lastra will look like a fool. His crime will become public,” he said. “When I kill him, there won’t be a war.”
“What about Mario?”
“I don’t care about Mario. I just need your father to believe I’m using him as revenge for your death. I need him to admit it out loud. Then it’s over.”
“Klaus, he’s not that stupid. He’ll never admit to putting a hit out on me. I know him that much.”
“So do I.” He stared down at her. “Trust me, baby.”
She exhaled, pressing herself against his body as he held her close. His scent calmed her, made her feel safe.
“Why can’t we run away from all this, Klaus? Forget everything and never turn back?”
She knew they had more money than they could ever spend. Why stay? Why be greedy for more when their lives were constantly at risk?
“Soon, there won’t be a reason to run, Bella. I won’t give in and spend my life looking over my shoulder. This bullshit needs closure.”
“You mean my father needs to die.”
He licked his lips. She knew he was trying to sugarcoat her reality because he loved her, and that meant a lot coming from a man like Klaus Accardi. “If we want a future together, sacrifices must be made. Listen, Bella, I want it all with you. You’re going to give me sons and daughters. We’ll create something new … better.”
“You always sound so confident.”
“My job is to take care of you. That’s what your father is trying to take away from me. To soil my name by blaming me for your death. Only he can’t start spreading rumors if I keep pretending you’re alive.”
“It’s probably eating him up on the inside.”
“It is. That’s what we want. Now, can you trust me to take care of this?”
“Promise you won’t hack up my brother? It’s not his fault being born into this family.”
“I promise. Nothing too serious.”
She narrowed her eyes but knew he was most likely playing with her.
“This is all happening in two more days?”
Klaus nodded. He ran the backs of his fingers along the swell of her breast. It amazed her how one touch from her husband could make her forget all her troubles. Sometimes she wondered if he knew full well the power he wielded over her. “I can’t wait to see this body change, to watch these tits swell up and your body grow to carry our babies. There’s nothing I want more.”
Was she already pregnant? Anything was possible since he refused to wear protection during sex. Was that even something she wanted, though? Could they have a traditional family when their entire world was so dysfunctional?
Right now, she just needed to get through the next couple of days. Her father had two more days to live, two more days to instill fear in everyone in his house. If Klaus’s plan went smoothly, maybe they’d live out their dreams. If not, their families would destroy each other. No one would be safe.
“Where are you keeping Mario?”
“Don’t worry about the details, Bella. I’m your husband. Trust me to handle this.”
He kissed her lips and the world went away.
She whispered against his lips. “Klaus, I feel so lost.”
“Don’t give him that power,” he said. “As soon as I deal with this shit, I’ll join you upstairs. If you need an escape, I’ll give it to you.”
Isabella knew exactly what her husband was capable of. He exuded power and masculinity. He was a beast in bed, one she craved. Klaus was also a monster.
Chapter Eleven
Mario’s screams had filled the basement. In the end, Klaus had no choice but to take him down there. He’d seen how much it had affected his woman, and Isabella would always come first to him.
Having her brother this close clearly upset her. She knew about this life but that didn’t mean she completely understood it.
The last thing in the world he ever wanted to do was cause her pain, but to make it in this world, pain was a necessity.
He placed the knife on the table. His brother had already picked up the finger that contained the gold band. The crest of the Lastra family.
Mario whimpered. “You’re going to take everything from me.”
“Your father should have thought about that when he had the chance.” Klaus turned to look at Mario. The man whimpered. Tears ran down his cheeks and pain was etched across his face. There was no doubt taking a finger hurt. He cut right through the bone.
One of his men had already bandaged up the wound. It was a clean cut, but he’d never get the finger back.
“I had no idea about what he did,” Mario said.
“You just didn’t care.”
“Isabella’s not my responsibility. Women make us weak.” Mario gritted his teeth as Klaus pressed the blade against the man’s throat.
He had no intention of killing Mario because that would start a
