Masters and Domains

CHAPTER 4

Rome, Italy.

Sapphire sat on the couch, glaring at a spot over his head. It had been over a day now. Where the hell was he?

“You are sure you don’t need anything, bella?” Antonio asked from where he sat at his desk, smiling at her tense posture. “I want you to be totally comfortable.”

Sapphire’s jaw hardened. “I will be comfortable when Alessio gets here.”

A knock sounded at the door and Antonio ordered them in. He closed the book he was writing in and smiled as Lavinia walked in. “I suppose you have some news for me, strega?”

Lavinia walked up to him and leaned down to place a kiss on his forehead. “Of course, darling.” Her eyes drifted to where Sapphire sat on the couch. “But I see we have company.”

Antonio waved her off. “Ignore her. The D’Amelio girls have no loyalties to Titania.” He chuckled. “Apparently, your Queen has done it again and ruined another marriage.” He turned his seat so he was facing the witch. “You can talk in front of her. She’s only waiting for my dear brother.”

Lavinia chuckled, her long black hair swishing as she shook her head. “What is it with you D’Amelio girls and the De Luca men? Your sister has had not one, but two of them and you are engaged to one.”

Sapphire smiled sarcastically. “Well, at least Alina and I chose the good ones. You are the one sleeping with a serial killer.”

Lavinia cocked her head to the side, resting her entire weight on one jean-clad hip. “Your darling Alessio is a Sick, isn’t he? I wonder how many bodies he drained before he finally learned to replace his insatiable hunger for blood with something else.”

Sapphire opened her mouth to retort but a look from Antonio silenced her and she sunk back in her seat. Antonio turned to face Lavinia. “So what has my dear Titania been up to in America?”

“You wouldn’t believe it,” she said with a playful smile, “but your dear Titania has been traipsing all over New York City with a human lover!” She scoffed. “Imagine! Titania Marchand, the most powerful witch alive, is sneaking around the city with a human. You should have seen them, Tonio. Titania was giggling!”

Antonio was amused. He turned to Sapphire. “You hear that, bella? Titania has found herself a new lover just months after your poor fath-”

The door to the office flew open and all three pairs of eyes in the room were instantly drawn to the intruder. Only one person could barge into Antonio’s office without consequences.

“My love!” Antonio called out to his apparently angry wife who stood by the doorway, glaring at him. “You wouldn’t believe what-”

“What the hell are you playing at, Tonio?” Mariana asked, arms crossed with her bottle trapped in between. She eyed Lavinia up and down but her eyes softened when they landed on Sapphire. “Are you okay? Alessio is here now.”

Sapphire nodded and Mariana turned back to her husband. “You have a problem. You can’t just go around kidnapping people.”

Antonio raised a finger. “Uh, I didn’t kidnap her.”

“No,” Mariana agreed, taking a sip from her bottle. “You only sent your men to grab her and bring her here all the way from the States. How many times do I have to tell you not to mess with family?”

“When are you going to accept that he doesn’t take orders from you?” Lavinia butt in with a smirk.

Antonio’s jaw hardened. “Lavinia, you know better than to insult my wife.” He gave her a strained smile. “I believe you can leave now.”