Stolen Dove: Stolen Hearts Series by Blake, Carina (novels in english .txt) 📗

little Dove.” Okay. That sends a chill through me, and I don’t say another word. Victor would be angry at the familiarity. I’m uncomfortable with it.

“Is something wrong?” he asks as he comes to a stop.

“I would just prefer if we keep this less friendly. Victor wouldn’t be happy.”

“I’m surprised you care. Unless you’re just worried about being killed by him, then I’d understand. He’s a ruthless son of a bitch. He keeps you trapped while out banging his mistress every week. It’s where he’s going on ‘business’ today. He always goes to see her and their two daughters.”

“What?” I gasp, nearly choking on my own shock.

“I’m just saying. It makes no sense that he brought you here and married you when he has a ready-made family.” He shrugs like this is no big deal and that I’m already aware of Victor’s betrayal.

He barely finishes parking when I get out of the car before he can stop me. I don’t want to hear more right now and sadly, I don’t want to believe him because my heart can’t handle the betrayal. It’s silly because I’m just another possession to Victor, but I still hurt.

Taking a deep breath, a plan comes to my mind. I am going to spend Victor’s money like it’s going out of style, and then I’m going to resell the shit and get a ticket out of my own personal hell.

“Are you okay, Dove?”

“I’m fine. I’m here to shop. Please, no more talk of my fake-ass husband.” He follows behind me—a little too close for comfort per Victor’s request, but my chest is too busy breaking. We go from store to store, most staring at me in wonder especially when we pay. I might have stolen Victor’s card, but he stole my heart and then broke it. If he’s going to treat me like a whore, I’m collecting on the tab.

11

Victor

Three weeks, and things aren’t getting better. If anything, they’ve gotten a shitload worse. Dove has only let me into her body. Her heart remains unavailable to me. It’s as if she’s hardened it so hard that I may never get her to love me. Perhaps I haven’t given her a reason.

“Did you pick up the gift like I asked?” I inquire, knowing it’s pointless because he wouldn’t forget. He’s not the one with his head up his ass. I’m the one with a wife who takes up every thought in my head, causing me to be careless. I should have handled the little attacks by Julio’s men. I’m starting to prove I’m my father’s son with the way I’m letting the business slip. Although, it doesn’t help that I have no proof it was his men starting this shit.

“Of course I did. It’s wrapped and labeled for the little man. It’s in the back.”

“Gracias. It’s not like I’ve had time to go, and I sure as hell didn’t want Dove to see the present and ask questions.”

“Do you think it’s wise to keep this from her like a dirty little secret?” he questions. It’s just the two of us because Marcelino’s preparing the helicopter and Julian’s got a stomach virus.

“It’s for the best. If she knew the truth about my family, she’d believe I was like my father and find another way to escape.” I need to get both areas of my life under control. It’s time to take Julio by the balls and tear his budding empire to the ground.

I hate leaving Dove, and I loathe leaving someone else to watch over her while I work, but these things must be done. With the constant issues at the winery, vineyard, and the new property in Calabria, I’ve had so much on my plate that I’ve had little to no time to convince her that she should stay. Something feels wrong today. It’s not just her anger. My gut is telling me that I shouldn’t leave her there alone, but she doesn’t want my mother to come over. She’s pissed because I refuse to replace the tablet. I have, but it’s locked up in my drawer. I want to give it to her, but there’s a lack of trust that can’t be worked out until we have time.

Soon I’ll take her out, but I worry that she’ll resent my lifestyle. She doesn’t know about my siblings or the war I’m going through with one of them. I’d hate for her to believe I’m just like my father. There’s still so much to prove to her. If only we had more time together and I spent it with my dick in my pants and my hands and mouth to myself, but she turns me into an animal. I always have to have her.

We’re taking a helicopter out to visit my half sister and her little one for his birthday. I made a promise that I would, plus I’m supposed to pick up a special item I had her make for Dove. Her husband worked for me, but he died last year in an accident at one of the vineyards. He’d been drinking too much and fell off the side of a cliff driving home. It was devastating to my sister because he hadn’t been alone. He was with his mistress, embarrassing her one more time.

“The copter will be ready to take off in ten minutes,” Marcelino says. I nod and return to thoughts about my wife. She hates me, even if her body disagrees. Her body sings with rapture as I fill her with my seed, but there is no love. I live for her and don’t know how to change her heart. She can’t forgive me for the past, and maybe I can’t forgive myself.

Fernando takes the present and a bottle of wine as a gift to our hostess and then we board the helicopter. I wonder if Dove has ever been on one. Will she be too afraid to go on one? Damn, I’m fucking obsessed with her. It’s only a twenty-minute flight, but