Chapter 3

Anthon snapped, "What's the point if our family has no heir? So people can laugh at my useless grandson?" Then his voice cracked like a whip. "You're both staying here tonight. You'll have plenty of time to make a baby."

"Grandpa, I've got plans tonight," Tony said, frowning.

Anthon didn't care. "Your only plan is getting Amore here pregnant. Try sneaking out, and I'm not your grandpa anymore."

After dinner, he proved how controlling he was—dragging Tony into the bedroom and locking the door with a sharp click.

Tony stared at the door, his jaw clenched.

"If it's something urgent," Amore said quietly, "I'll talked to him to let you out."

He shot her a look. "Don't bother. I know exactly what you're trying to pull." He opened his laptop and started working.

Amore reached over and slammed it shut.

"Amore!" he snapped.

She didn't flinch. "You know I want to sleep with you. I'm not pretending otherwise." Then she reopened the laptop and walked into the bathroom.

Tony's eyes followed her, unreadable.

When she came out after her shower, he was still working.

His shirt sleeves were rolled up, showing his toned forearms. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, offering a glimpse of his tanned chest.

He was something else—perfectly sculpted features, moving with effortless, untouchable grace.

Amore sat at the bar in the corner, letting her eyes roam over him. For once, she didn't bother hiding how much she wanted him.

She'd married tony for the sake of their families, and Anthon had pushed hard for it.

After Katarina's death, tony had shut himself off, determined to stay alone forever. Anthon wouldn't have it.

He came to Amore with an offer that stirred the feelings she'd buried and stopped her from disappearing to some far corner of the world.

In the end, she said yes, despite her parents' objections. After the engagement was set, tony showed up at her door, hatred barely hidden in his eyes. "You pushed for this, amore. I warned you. Now here we are, and you're gonna pay for it."

Tony's brows drew together as he lost focus. Maybe it was the way amore looked at him, setting his whole body on fire.

Every nerve was on edge, and tension throbbed hard between his legs.

He became alert, his voice rough and accusing. "Amore, what did you do to me?"

She was already flushed and dizzy, fanning herself with one hand. "It's so hot. Tony, is the AC broken or something?"

He turned and froze. She was slumped over the bar, her lace nightgown slipping off one shoulder, the fabric dipping low enough to reveal her chest.

Amore was gorgeous, but usually cool and distant. Now, she looked soft and sultry, her eyes hazy, a flush creeping at the corners.

Tony knew something was wrong. His eyes flicked to the scent diffuser glowing in the corner. The heat and haze were both coming from that.

He shot to his feet, strode over, and turned it off. Even that made his breath catch. His desire only grew stronger.

Then he headed for the door, but as he passed the bar, Amore suddenly lunged at him.

He caught her instinctively, and the feel of her skin threw him off. His hands, meant to push her away, pulled her in instead.

She clung to him, her arms tight around his neck, brows drawn. "Tony, I don't feel right."

The drug was hitting harder, and his control was slipping fast. All he wanted was to lose himself in her.

But he didn't. He still saw amore, the one woman he hated.

He bit his tongue, letting the pain anchor him. Then he gripped her shoulders. "Calm down. Grandpa drugged us."

"Then help me," amore whispered, her breath warm against his lips. She rose onto her toes and kissed him, her tongue slipping past his lips like she owned him.

she new she did , at least for the night.