His Unwanted Wife is the Mafia Princess novel Chapter 51

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Stella

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I look down at Adrian and I’s connected hands, feeling the way the pad of his thumb grazes across the side of my hand. My heart twists inside of my chest, the sickening feeling of love and confusion piercing my heart.

Something about this feels so right, as if Adrian and I are meant to be holding hands while walking along the shore, the chilly water hitting our feet. Something in the back of my mind, though, is screaming at me to be smart about this, to not let him in because of how he’s acted towards me in the past. I can’t allow myself to simply forget the Inisgivings he has made towards me.

I draw in a breath and divert my gaze, taking a step to the right. Our arms raise in the air before our connected hands stop me from moving farther away. Adrian squeezes my hand and stops walking, bringing me back to his side.

I collide into his chest, his hand slipping from mine before resting on my waist. My hands fall to my sides and I can’t help but peer into his emerald eyes, the way they shine at night.

“Excuse me,” a man from behind says. Adrian looks over my shoulder while I hide my face, unable to comprehend what exactly is happening. “You two are a very beautiful couple. Would you like me to take your picture? And would the lady like a rose?”

I turn and open my mouth to protest but Adrian beats me to it, immediately pulling out his wallet from his pants pocket.

“Sure,” he says with a warm tone, passing off a few bills from the black leather wallet. “Give her the prettiest rose you have.”

“You got it, sir!” The man chirps as he takes the cash from Adrian.

I look up at him, a small blush creeping onto my cheeks. Okay…maybe Adrian isn’t so bad after all. Maybe he’s changed these past few weeks and has realized the severity of his mistakes and is ready to make up for it.

The man steps towards me with a fully bloomed rose in hand. I take it from him with a small smile, turning away to hide my face in the darkness of the night. Adrian wraps his arm around my waist and draws me back to his side.

“Smile for the camera, Stella,” Adrian speaks to me.

I nod and obey his command, tilting my chin back up and staring at the camera lens. I lean into him and smile. Adrian squeezes my side, his touch igniting my skin, as a sudden flash of light pops out at us.

The photographer smiles and walks over, showing the picture to Adrian. Adrian quickly scribbles his email down onto a piece of paper and the man quickly walks away, leaving us alone.

I look down at the rose and sigh. I should know that this rose was meant for someone else, a blonde haired woman that has tormented me throughout my entire life. The spot at his side was never meant for me, so why is he acting like it is?

“Adrian,” I breathe out, turning on my heel, my feet submerging beneath the sand.

Adrian steps towards me and closes the distance. He takes my hands and looks at them. I hesitate to speak, my breath getting caught in my throat.

“Did you bring Clara to the resort? Is her being here on purpose to…patronize me?” I ask my question in a quiet voice, feeling nervous yet somewhat shameful as if it isn’t an open secret that Clara has always owned Adrian’s heart and comes first in his eyes.

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#Chapter 51–He Loves Me Not

“No,” Adrian responds. His grip on my hands loosens. “Did you do the same with Sebastian?”

“I didn’t even know he was coming,” I reply with the truth I tilt my head to look up at him and notice that his gaze has been on me the entire time. “I told him that I was going on vacation but I didn’t say where.”

Adrian slowly nods. His eyes move all over my face and my heartbeat quickens. The man gives my hands a gentle squeeze, his head now hanging low as he closes the small gap between us.

“Stella,” my name rolls off of his tongue like he was meant to say it, “I don’t trust Sebastian…I know that he has connections to the mafia and gangs that operate inside out city. I don’t like that you are connected with someone who is close to so much danger.”

I bite back a scoff but can’t help but let out a breathy laugh. My hands relax in his, ready to slip away at any moment, but he continues to hold on.

Adrian thinks that Sebastian is dangerous? That the mafia is dangerous? Is he serious?

“Adrian,” I chuckle, shaking my head. He drops my hands and takes a step back, a look of disgust now written all over his face. “You’re being ridiculous. Not all gang members are bad.”

“So he is a gang member?” Adrian’s voice turns sharp.

“I never said that,” I shake my head, giving him a warning look. “All I said was that not all gang members are bad. Some of them don’t have a choice and that way of life is all that they know—”

“I don’t want you near any of it,” Adrian raises his voice at me. I pay it no mind. “You need to stick by my side, Stella. I will keep you safe from him and the scum he works with.”

“Scum?!” I take a step back. The heat in my cheeks that once blossomed from love turns into anger. “Adrian! You couldn’t possibly mean that!”

“Don’t get involved with him,” Adrian tries to move closer towards me, to take my hands into his once again, but I move away. “I can protect you, Stella!”

“Protect me?!” I unconsciously raise my voice.

I turn around and faces the crashing waves. A laugh escapes my mouth as anger begins to slowly take over my body.

He wants to protect me?! Did he really just say that to me?

I can feel Adrian’s hand on my shoulder but I immediately shrug it off and move away again. Looking up at him, I ball my fists at my side, fully allowing my pent up anger out.

“Where were you six years ago, Adrian?”

“What do you mean?”