Panic clawed at my throat, thick and suffocating. My chest tightened like a vice. "My mom would never do that," I snapped, my voice sharp with disbelief. "She won't even talk to me about these things."
Liam raised an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly. "But you do know what happens between a man and a woman on their wedding night, don't you?"
He was playing with me—testing me—like a cat cornering its prey.
"I know what happens between normal couples," I shot back. "But in our case, I think the word you're looking for is rape."
Something flickered in his eyes—anger, maybe guilt—but his expression didn't change. "You're going to start taking the pill."
He held out a small white packet.
I stared at it, stunned. "Don't I need to see a doctor or something first?"
"We have a doctor. He's been with the Romano family longer than you've been alive. This came from him." His voice remained calm, cool. "Start today. It takes forty-eight hours to work."
I gaped. "Are you seriously that eager to sleep with me?"
His jaw tensed. "No. I'm making sure nothing unwanted happens. And if you don't take it..."
He stepped forward, his presence overwhelming.
"Then I'll use a condom. Either way, on our wedding night, you're mine."
The words struck like a slap. My mouth opened, but no sound came. Before I could even react, he turned and headed toward the door, giving a flick of his fingers.
A signal. A command.
I followed him in a daze, heart pounding, the pill packet clenched in my fist. Maybe I had already gone too far. Maybe I'd already made him angry.
In the living area, Salvatore stood rigid near Savannah and Lily. His scowl deepened at the sight of Liam.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he growled, straightening from his slouch against the wall.
"You should keep your breaks short," Liam replied coolly. "Maybe try paying more attention."
"I was gone for three minutes. There were guards stationed outside every door."
Savannah lounged on the couch, but her eyes gleamed with fire. Rafael, across from her, stared with the kind of intensity that made skin crawl.
"What are you staring at?" she snapped.
Rafael leaned forward with a grin. "At your hot little body."
Savannah raised her chin. "Then keep looking, because that's all you're getting."
"Knock it off," Salvatore barked.
I didn't even glance at him. My eyes were on Rafael—calculating, cocky, dangerous. He was enjoying every second of it.
"Gio will be taking over watch duty until the wedding," Liam announced.
Salvatore's mouth opened, but Liam cut him off.
"It's done."
He turned to Gio, who straightened, nodding like a soldier receiving orders. They stepped aside, exchanging quiet words. Savannah edged closer to me.
"What does that mean?"
"Gio's my new bodyguard," I whispered.
Her eyes widened. "He just wants to control you."
"Shh."
I watched Gio glance toward Lily, then nod.
Liam and Gio returned.
"Gio stays," Liam said simply.
His tone was ice. He didn't look at me like a bride—just another problem already wearing thin.
"And what exactly am I supposed to do now?" Salvatore asked, crossing his arms.
"You can guard the door," Liam replied without missing a beat.
"Or join our bachelor party," Rafael added with a smirk.
"I'm not interested," Salvatore muttered.
"Suit yourself. Charles is coming with us," Liam said.
I blinked. My father? What kind of bachelor party was this?
Liam looked at me. "Remember what I told you."
I didn't respond. Just clutched the pill packet tighter, like it might burn a hole through my skin.
Then they were gone. Liam and Rafael stepped out, and Gio held the door for them.
"You can leave too," Gio said flatly to Salvatore.
Salvatore narrowed his eyes, but left. Gio locked the door behind him with a solid, final click.
Savannah stared at the door. "You've got to be kidding me."
Gio leaned against it, arms folded, stone-faced.
"Come on," I muttered to Savannah, tugging her toward the couch.
Lily was already perched on the armchair, watching Gio like he was a comic book hero.
Savannah sat beside me, her eyes drifting to the white packet in my hand.
"What's that?"
I hesitated.
"Birth control," I said quietly.
Her jaw tightened. "Don't tell me that asshole gave that to you so he can screw you on your wedding night."
I said nothing.
"Emily." Her voice turned sharp. "You're not seriously going to take them."
"I don't have a choice," I whispered. "If I don't… he'll be angry. And he'll still do it."
Savannah clenched her fists. "This is messed up. So messed up."
Lily's voice broke the silence. "What's a bachelor party?"
Savannah forced a thin smile. "A sad little party where drunk men pretend they're not already trapped."
I didn't laugh. I couldn't.
I stared down at the pill packet in my hand. It felt heavier than it should. Like it carried the weight of something more than medication.
Like it was the key to a cage I hadn't even realized I was walking into.
And the door had already closed behind me.