THE DON'S INNOCENT BRIDE: The Queen He Never Knew

BELLA'S POV

"Sign the fucking papers," I cocked the gun swiftly, pointing directly at Dante's skull, "or I paint this office with your brains."

Dante sat perfectly still in his leather chair, eyes locked on mine. That same predatory calm gaze that made me fall in love with him six years ago, the same gaze that haunted me throughout the six years of marriage.

Six years of looking into those eyes and seeing everything except the truth.

"Tesoro," he said, in a low and rough voice, "Put down the gun, or you will hurt yourself."

He still thinks I'm fragile, still thinks I'm his delicate little flower.

My mouth twitched slightly. I slammed the divorce papers onto his desk with my free hand.

"Sign them!"

He laughed, loud enough to irritate me.

"You think you're brave now, huh? Because you learned to hold a gun?" His hand shot out, gripping my wrist.

"I could break your arm before you pulled that trigger." He said, snickering.

I pressed the barrel harder against his skull.

"Try it. See which happens first." I spat, my voice ice cold.

Something flickered in his eyes. Surprise, maybe. The great Dante Caruso, caught off guard by his docile little wife. The thought was ironic. I know.

"What happened to you?" he asked quietly.

You happened to me, Dante. You and your lies.

I stared at him with a bored expression, irritation stirring in my chest. I wish I could hit his jaw with the barrel.

We stayed frozen for a while. His fingers wrapped around my wrist, my gun against his head, both of us daring the other to move first.

He really thought I couldn't do anything.

He's still underestimating me. Good. Let him.

Suddenly, I pulled back with a swift movement and fired.

The bullet slammed into the wall six inches from his face. The crack echoed through the office like thunder. My ears ringing slightly.

Dante's jaw clenched. I could see it in his eyes, controlled rage simmering beneath his perfect handsome mask.

"Does that answer your question?" I kept the gun trained on him.

"Sign the papers, Dante. I won't ask again." My voice was low.

"You won't survive a week without me."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

He reached for his pen.

"You have no money. No protection. No family." He continued.

I swallowed uncomfortably at the mention of family.

Don't react, I said to myself silently.

"That's none of your business now."

"They'll rip you apart." He signed the first page, aggressively.

"Every enemy I've made will come for you. And I have a lot of enemies, Bella."

"Good. Let them come." My voice deliberately dismissive.

Let them all come. I'll be ready.

He looked up, studying my face like he'd never seen me before, like the person standing before him was a complete stranger.

"You've changed."

"You taught me well." I smiled sweetly, too sweet that it looks creepy the longer you stare.

Everything I am now, you created.