The Counterfeit Lover (War of Sins Book 3)
The Counterfeit Lover: Chapter 9

Michele pushed his sunglasses up his nose, threading his gloved hand through his hair as he leaned against the concrete wall of the building. A cigarette between his lips, he puffed it repeatedly while letting his eyes roam around the bustling street.

True to her word, Assisi had taken his pet out shopping. He’d been surprised Vlad hadn’t accompanied them, but instead he’d sent some of his trusted men to act as their shadows.

Across from him, the two walked slowly as Assisi kept pointing towards different window displays in an attempt to entice his pet to try anything on.

He knew that because he’d had Andreas bump into Assisi a while back, slipping a listening device in her bag so he could listen to everything that went on.

As usual, his pet wore a nondescript baggy dress that almost reached her ankles. She’d added a pair of white converse to complete the look and she’d tied her hair in a ponytail. To Michele’s eyes, she looked like she was supposed to—perfect.

All his.

To everyone else’s eyes, he knew she came across not only as unfashionable, but dull and pitiful. But that had been the goal all along. He couldn’t very well let her shine brightly into the world so anyone could pluck her up. No, the power of her shine was for his eyes only, and he’d be the only man to ever gaze upon her like that—closely, intimately.

Anyone else attempting to do so would be as good as dead.

And just as that thought arose, Michele realized his own fault and how this frustration she instilled in him could have backfired in the worst way possible. She’d driven him so mad, he’d had no other recourse but to push her away. Unwittingly, he’d chased her right into danger—into the open world full of predators who’d take one good look at her innocent eyes and fall to their knees with a desire to posses her.

Michele didn’t fool himself for one moment that he was the only one who reacted so strong to her. No, he could bet that any red-blooded male in her proximity could see just how fresh and unspoiled she was, both in her beauty and temperament. She was like an unpolished gem waiting for that one jeweler who could give her the perfect polish and form.

The situation at her school had been a prime example of it with how those boys had dared to think they could go anywhere near her. It had been pure luck that they had been dealt with before they’d made a move on his pet. He didn’t for one second believe they weren’t capable of forcing themselves on her just for a taste of her sweet honey.

That mental image was enough to get him on edge, his muscles tensing, his hands curling into fists as the desire for death and destruction sang loudly in his blood.

If anyone had dared do anything to his pet… He would unleash a river of blood the likes of which it had never been seen before.

Begrudgingly, he had to admit he’d been so caught up in everything she awoke in him—the loss of control she caused when he hated that above all else—that he hadn’t thought anything through.

A first for him.

He was known for weighing every possibility, every detail—no matter how minuscule. Yet he’d acted like a short-sighted fool and he could have very well paid the price for that.

Luckily, Andreas acted like his conscience, cleaning up his messes before they even arose. He’d diligently taken care of everything, compiling an account of everything his pet had been up to while Michele had been shutting himself from the world—and most importantly, from her. As such, he was aware of her very step in the last few weeks and the fact that after the debacle at school she’d isolated herself from the world—as she should have done from the first.

No one had been in contact with her—no man.

But that only meant that Michele had been lucky for the first time in his life. From now on, he vowed to himself he would never allow his impulses cloud his judgement again. Until he tired of her—since he didn’t think for one second he would never do so—he would hold her so close no one would dare even breathe in her direction.

Yes, he nodded to himself, pleased about his reasoning. Now that he’d seen the error of his ways he was ready to implement new rules that would ensure both his detachment and, paradoxically, his involvement.

He would make himself indifferent to her as far as she affected his moods, but he would attune himself to her in other ways—fun, thrilling ways that did not involve any loss of control or otherwise engage his emotions.

This time, he would create the perfect partnership. He, the master, and her, the pet.

He would be in full control. Always, and at all times.

Michele continued to plan his future involvement with his pet, in his mind delineating all sorts of terms—almost as if he was trying to convince himself that he could keep her and still keep himself in full control of his faculties.

‘Come on, Zia, you can’t say no to every thing I show you,’ Assisi told his pet as they continued to walk down the street, passing by numerous shops, all of which failed to get his pet’s approval.

Michele smiled appreciatively. Of course she wouldn’t want any of those modern and revealing clothes. His subtle persuasion had worked to perfection to ensure that his pet only went out wearing a certain type of fashion.

‘Please make an effort? Summer is right around the corner. You can’t possibly wear those long and thick dresses of yours when it’s going to be scorching hot outside.’

‘I don’t like wearing revealing clothes,’ his pet mumbled.

From afar, Michele noted the way her chin went down a notch, her eyes on the pavement.

‘We can try to compromise. It doesn’t have to be revealing as long as it’s comfortable and appropriate for the weather. What do you say?’

Michele waited anxiously for his pet’s answer.

‘I guess I could try a few,’ she eventually said, and his fists clenched in annoyance.

He kept a fair distance between them so they couldn’t notice his presence, following them as they entered a department store.

His pet’s eyes were on the ground, her shoulders slumped. She didn’t seem interested in any of the stores. But Assisi wasn’t deterred.

‘Here, what about this one?’ Assisi pointed towards a more youthful store. So it happened that the store contained everything Michele despised about the current generation and their libertine ways. Cropped tops, short jeans that were more underwear than wearable garments, bralettes for tops and other entirely too revealing ensembles.

His nostrils flared.

Assisi, Assisi, what am I going to do with you?

The answer was simple, however. He wasn’t going to allow his pet to stay with them for much longer. Not when her sister proved to be such a bad influence on his pet.

As soon as the opportunity would present itself, Michele would remove his pet from that house and resume his true ownership over her.

She would live in his home, sleep in his bed, and tend to his cock every day. That was her purpose.

It would be a little tricky to steal her away without declaring an all-out war—something he wasn’t very keen on at the moment—but he would make do. Mayhap when she supposedly went to college. He would let everyone think that she was, indeed, studying, when instead she’d be studying ways to please him.

The corners of his mouth tipped up as he imagined her in his home once more. He would fire every member of his staff, since he couldn’t allow anyone to be in the same room as her. Instead, he would make her do all the chores—cook, clean, and tend to him.

If before he’d turned her into the perfect sexual toy, now he would upgrade her role to a domestic one. That way she would be at his beck and call, and her entire world would revolve only around him. In return, he would make sure she lacked for nothing—money, wealth, anything her heart wished. Within reason, of course.

He couldn’t help but be impressed with his magnanimity. He was giving her another chance. Of course she was going to take her role seriously and do whatever she could to satisfy him. Anyone else would kiss the tips of his shoes for showing such generosity. And that was another item on his list—show her how special she was for being the one he’d chosen to bestow his favor. If she realized just how lucky she was—especially with everything so average about her—she’d be all the more likely to apply herself to her job.

His pet entered the shop, looking apprehensively around as she assessed the assortments of clothes offered by the store chosen by her sister.

Since the store was large enough, Michele entered too, losing himself among the racks of clothes, watching the pair closely as they browsed around.

‘This. Oh, this Zia. The color would suit you so well,’ Assisi exclaimed, pulling out a pink mid-thigh dress.

Immediately, Michele’s reaction was to scowl.

Too short.

Yet he couldn’t help but agree that the color would suit her. That particular shade of light pink would highlight his pet’s stunning complexion and every blush staining her cheeks. Indeed, he could almost picture her in it—aside from the length, of course.

His pet bit her lips as she perused the dress, her small hands reaching out to touch the material.

‘I guess I could try it on?’ she added eventually.

Even from a distance, Michele could swear he could see the glimmer of desire in her eyes.

She…liked it.

He narrowed his eyes.

Unacceptable.

Of course, once she was his again, he would buy her all the pink dresses and whatever garments she desired, but only to be worn within the confines of his home where his eyes would be the only ones gazing upon her loveliness.

Placing the dress in their trolley, they continued to walk around the store. Assisi kept pointing out different pieces to his pet, somehow convincing her to try them all on.

He noted they added a pair of shorts, a short skirt, and even a skin tight dress that almost made him groan out loud as he imagined her in it.

For all his attempts to convince her otherwise, Michele had to admit that she had the most delicious little curves. She had a small waist that he could cup with one hand and shapely hips in which he could dig his fingers as he pumped into her. Then there were her tits. Just the right size to fill his palms. If Aphrodite ever had a human incarnation, he supposed it would be her—his pet. Simply put, she had an exquisite shape—for him, because there was no way Michele could admit that his standard of perfection wasn’t everyone’s standard. In his mind, because he found her so desirable, everyone must do so.

Then there was her face. That face that had been haunting him from the beginning. Maybe at the start she’d come across as merely pretty, but the more he’d stared at her the more he’d became entranced by the pure beauty hidden in her eyes.

Those eyes… He swore under his breath as he recalled how they’d looked from up-close. Big and almond-shaped, they had the power to make him both speechless and breathless. More than anything, they had the power to infiltrate his mind and never leave it.

Assisi and his pet picked up a few more pieces, this time more basic like a couple pairs of jeans and some tops. Though some of the jeans looked to be quite tight, at least his pet had the good sense to choose baggier tops.

It took them a couple of hours to browse everything and his pet’s shopping cart was overflowing with stuff to try on. When they finally headed to the dressing rooms, Michele followed suit too, sneaking in an opposite changing room so he could peek at his pet as she tried each item on.

Assisi was waiting outside, immediately dialing up her husband and recounting everything they’d done so far.

It didn’t take long until his pet pulled the curtain to reveal the first outfit.

A pair of dark, high-waisted, straight-legged jeans and a black shirt she’d tucked in the waistband, Michele found himself nodding appreciatively.

She looked good, but she didn’t look too good. He guessed he could allow that, especially as he let his eyes roam over her long legs and the way the jeans accentuated them.

His pet wasn’t a short woman and most of her height came from those long legs of hers. Damn, but they were the stuff of wet dreams…

Assisi gave her a thumbs up and his pet nodded tentatively.

‘I like this. I think I’ll take it,’ she said softly.

Fuck but he’d missed her voice.

He closed his eyes, inhaling sharply as he felt it wash through him.

Once she was his, he’d wake up and go to sleep with her voice in his ear—until he tired of it, of course.

Going back inside, she changed into a few more outfits, all various combinations of jeans and basic tops. She was still within her comfort zone, Michele realized, rejoicing at the fact that she was also reluctant to wear those abominations Assisi had chosen for her.

After she confirmed she would be getting all pairs of jeans and the tops, the only items remaining were the dresses, skirts and shorts Assisi had convinced her to try on.

Keeping a black shirt on, she came out of the dressing room wearing the skirt.

Michele scowled. Too short. It barely reached the middle of her thighs, showcasing her lovely legs to the entire world and serving as a beacon for every man in her vicinity.

‘I don’t think I like this,’ she murmured, causing Michele to smile.

Ah, his pet could display some sense after all.

‘The material isn’t very comfortable and it rides up at the back.’ She turned to point to the hem, which indeed, was riding up dangerously close to her ass.

‘Are you sure? You look so good in it,’ Assisi commented.

‘Yes, I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing this out,’ his pet added.

Assisi nodded pensively.

‘You know you don’t have to worry about money, right? I know the situation isn’t great with Marcello and the family, but Vlad and I have more than enough. If you like something, get it.’

‘No, no,’ his pet put her hands up, immediately trying to placate her sister. ‘It’s not that. I really don’t feel comfortable…’

‘Ok. Try the others?’

She nodded, pulling the curtain as she retreated in the cabin. And the next time she came out, it was wearing the pink dress.

Michele had to blink twice. As he’d foreseen, that shade of pink was made for her, giving her a youthful and pure look. It caused him to gawk at her like a teenager seeing a woman for the first time. In a way, he supposed he was.

He swallowed hard.

The dress was the same length as the previous skirt, but the material was heavier and as such didn’t ride up her legs. It wasn’t too tight, but it was just enough to accentuate the contours of her curves. And by Hades… He could barely tear his eyes from her.

She was a vision. A goddamn stunning apparition.

‘Oh my God, Zia,’ Assisi exclaimed, coming closer. ‘You have to buy this. You look absolutely stunning. Wow,’ she shook her head, her expression one of awe.

‘Really?’ his pet inquired apprehensively. She was biting her lip as she took in her image in the mirror, twirling around and assessing her body from different angles. ‘I like it too,’ she said quietly—too quietly.

Michele almost didn’t hear her. But as he shook himself from the shock of seeing her like that, his features darkened, a grim expression marring his face.

His upper lip twitched in displeasure. Her indication that she liked it meant she was going to buy it. Then wear it. And then she would be seen like that on the street, wearing that goddamn dress that made her look like she’d been sculpted from the most perfect marble—like she was every artist’s inspiration come to life.

Because she was his.

As he let his eyes get drunk on her, he could feel that small thrill start from the base of his skull, traveling down his spine before spreading throughout his body—the thrill of inspiration.

He wanted to paint her. He wanted to capture her like that, with shining innocence and happiness in her eyes.

‘Goddamn it,’ he muttered, his control slipping. Yet this time he wasn’t about to descend into the murderous type of madness. No, this time he wanted to give himself to another type altogether—one that wanted to worship at her feet and capture all her loveliness.

She was what every artist dreamed of in a lifetime—the one perfect muse.

His breathing intensified. The more he looked at her, the more he could imagine everything he would do to her—every angle he would capture and the colors he would use for every inch of her.

She was like a goddamn siren with how she enticed him. And it was without even trying.

Of course, in Michele’s mind, because he was so close to losing himself to her charms, he assumed any man would go crazy upon seeing her.

And that made his mood switch instantaneously. He seethed at the thought of her walking down the street and attracting all those appreciative male gazes. But more than anything, with his skewed perception, he saw others recognizing in her what he himself had—perfection. And who, after feasting upon perfection, would not want to preserve it—forever?

At that moment, every scenario flashed through his mind and he saw faceless men lusting after her, desiring her with as much pathos as he did and therefore doing what he himself wanted to do—steal her away.

He clenched his fists.

No, that would never happen. His pet was his and only his.

Only. Ever. His.

Jealousy so ugly reared its head as he pulled the curtain aside, barely avoiding detection as he left the changing rooms. But it wasn’t before he saw the way his pet was perusing her body, satisfaction dripping from her features at what she was seeing. And that solidified his decision.

His eyes quickly scanned the crowed, his shrewd mind at work calculating all possibilities. Choosing the perfect vessel in the form of a young woman who seemed much too concerned about the price of items, he strode over to her.

‘Excuse me,’ he smiled, removing his glasses.

He saw the way her eyes immediately widened, want dripping from them and making him wince in return, disgust already rolling in his stomach. But he kept his expression on.

“Would you like one hundred dollars in exchange for a small favor?” He asked in a pleasant voice.

The woman batted her lashes, clearly intuiting the worst—or in her case the best as she definitely did not seem opposed to exchange those types of favors.

‘What did you have in mind?’ She drawled at him.

‘In the changing rooms, there is a woman in a pink dress. Say whatever you need to make her not buy the dress. Here’s fifty,’ he removed a note, handing it to her. ‘I’ll give you the other fifty after it’s done.’

The woman seemed to think on it for a few seconds before shrugging and accepting.

‘Anything?’

‘As long as she doesn’t buy the dress,’ he nodded, grateful she didn’t ask more.

Heading back to the changing rooms, he resumed his place in one of the changing rooms at the end of the hallway, peeking at the spectacle.

His pet was still in front of the mirror, a smile on her face that seemed to grow wider by the second.

‘They had this in a few other colors too. The neutral ones would be great, too, don’t you think?’ Assisi suddenly suggested.

His pet nodded.

‘I’ll go get them for you and you can try those on, too. It’s rare to replace something you truly like so why not get it in more colors?’ she chuckled and winked at her sister, retreating to the store.

Michele smiled. Wasn’t that to his advantage? Especially as right at that moment the woman he’d employed made her way to the back of the changing rooms, pretending to try something in.

‘Oh, that’s such a pretty dress,’ she intoned, stopping as she perused his pet.

‘Thank you,’ his pet murmured bashfully, her cheeks heating up.

‘Just not on you.’

His pet blinked, taken aback.

‘Excuse me?’ she whispered in a low, barely audible voice. A look of pure hurt crossed her face, and Michele swallowed a wave of discomfort.

‘It would suit someone skinnier. Your belly is showing,’ the woman pointed to his pet’s abdomen. He couldn’t really see anything other than a perfect fit, but as long as she got his pet to give up on the dress, he supposed anything went.

‘My belly?’ His pet stammered, her hands going to her stomach.

‘No offense, but you should probably lose some weight before you wear that,’ the woman shrugged before she went inside her own changing room.

His pet turned to the mirror, her eyes flickering with pure hurt as she took another good look at herself, her hands still on her belly.

Michele tried his best to remain unmoved as he watched disappointment flood her features. This was for the best. This way she would never wear that out.

But if she liked it so much, then he wagered he could buy it for her to wear around his home.

His face lit up at the idea, and he nodded to himself. He was too good to his pet and he couldn’t wait to see her happiness once he revealed the dress to her later on.

As the woman left the changing rooms a while later, he held out his hand to give her the remaining fifty dollars. She’d more than earned it.

When Assisi returned a bit later with the other dresses, his pet shook her head.

‘I changed my mind. I don’t want them.’

‘No? Why not?’

‘They’re not my style,’ she shrugged. ‘I know I won’t wear them and I’d rather buy something I know I would wear,’ her lips tightened in a fake smile as she went back inside the changing room.

She didn’t even try the skintight dress. But she did try the shorts and the crop top, coming out with an uncertain expression on her face.

Faded black and high-waisted, the shorts were on the baggy side. They might not have emphasized her delectable bottom, but they certainly showed enough of her shapely legs. But that wasn’t the worst.

His pet had put on a tight crop top that barely reached the band of her pants, thus leaving a bit of uncovered skin in-between. Not much, but enough for Michele to fume.

Especially as he took in the entire ensemble and the way it made his pet look absolutely stunning.

‘Don’t tell me you don’t like this one either,’ Assisi asked worriedly.

‘I actually do,’ his pet replied, to Michele’s dismay. ‘It doesn’t make me look fat, no?’ she asked, just in case.

‘Of course not. You look stunning, Zia.’

His pet nodded.

‘I like it too, and it’s very comfortable,’ she said as she smoothed her hands over her stomach, watching that area intently—happy that the baggy cut didn’t mold to it.

‘I’m getting it,’ she declared suddenly.

‘I’m so happy,’ Assisi exclaimed, clasping her hands together and looking at his pet like a proud mother.

‘Do you think I can keep them on? I really like them…’

‘Of course. Don’t you worry. Let’s go to the register and pay…’

Michele couldn’t listen more. He left first, before they could spot him. His anger was mounting by the second. In his mind, everyone was already looking at his pet.

Especially as they exited the store after they paid and continued to walk around the department store.

His eyes were riveted to her, so of course everyone else’s must have been too.

Assisi and his pet stopped to get some ice cream before browsing a few more shops.

‘Wait a moment, Vlad is calling again. The guy has no chill,’ she shook her head, leaving his pet alone in front on one of the stores.

Absentmindedly biting into her ice cream, she turned to look at the shop’s window, admiring the display.

Michele bit back a groan at the way her plump lips stretched across the large piece of ice cream, some smearing around her mouth and making her look even more delectable.

How the hell was he going to survive until he could replace the time to get her back if one outing was sorely testing all his restraint?

As he was contemplating that small dilemma, a man suddenly stopped in front of his pet. She didn’t notice him until he spoke, turning to raise her gaze to him.

‘You’re very pretty,’ the man said, his lips widening in a smile. ‘What’s your name?’

His pet blinked.

Michele did, too, flabbergasted that something like that could happen. Suddenly that was all the confirmation he needed that all his predictions would come true. No longer was it only in his mind, now everywhere he looked he could see people staring at his pet appreciatively.

‘The fucking cherry on top,’ he muttered to himself, a twitch in his cheek as he prepared to act should the fucker linger. He’d never been a fan of public spectacles, but on this occasion he would make an exception.

If he dared to put as much as a finger on her…

On her part, Venezia found herself completely speechless as she stared at the man who’d just stopped in front of her. He was a bit taller than her, with fair hair and blue eyes.

‘Me?’ She felt the need to clarify.

‘Of course you. I don’t see anyone prettier around.’

She’d never before been complimented by anyone—except, on occasion, by Michele. This was completely out of her comfort zone and she found that she didn’t know how to reply.

Her cheeks heated, her chin dipping down as she wrenched her eyes from him and stared at his shoes instead.

He told her she was pretty. She?

Somehow she couldn’t believe that. She knew on her best days she was passable—enough that she’d managed to get Michele’s interest when there were no doubt hundreds of women chasing after him daily. Considering his looks and status, of course he would be incredibly sought after.

Her lips pursed as she realized the direction of her thoughts. Why did everything have to come back to Michele? Why did she have to think about him when she was finally free of him. He would never harm her again and he would certainly never make her suffer again.

Except he still did.

Her heart still hurt from his words and his appalling behavior. She couldn’t sleep at night because she feared he would come back for her—hurt her some more.

He was perpetually in her thoughts, but not as he’d been before—her ultimate love. No, that illusion had been long shattered and she’d been able to see him for the devil he was. The devil who’d abused and used her for his own gains, never once seeing her as anything other than a means to an end. He’d lied about his love just as he’d lied about everything.

Now he was just a shadow looming over her—the nightmare that she couldn’t rid herself of.

On replay, every little interaction played in her mind just as all the abuse she’d suffered at his hands. Before, when she’d still seen him with rose-colored glasses, she would have denied to her dying breath that he was abusing her. She would have simply said it was his manner, and those were the things he enjoyed. And as bent on pleasing him as she’d been, of course she would mold himself to his wishes and allow him to do whatever he wanted to her.

For a time, the love and happiness had overshadowed the dark thoughts and the hurt he’d caused her.

Until he’d done the unspeakable…

That day, he’d shown her his real self. But he’d also become a dark shadow in her life, haunting her at every turn. She was afraid for her life and that of her loved ones. She was afraid of everything—even closing her eyes and going to sleep.

‘You’re not going to tell me?’ The man repeated, apprising her with interested eyes.

Venezia whipped her head up, realizing she’d lost herself in her thoughts—again. But then she was also not used to interacting much with people, preferring to keep to herself and live in her head. There, at least no one could hurt her.

Expectations bred disappointment. And she’d learned from a young age that eventually everyone disappointed her—and everyone left.

‘V-Venezia,’ she stumbled over her words.

‘That’s a very unusual name,’ the man commented, taking a step towards her just as she took one back.

She blinked twice, panic taking hold of her.

‘Excuse me,’ she mumbled, holding tightly on to her bags as she dashed out of his way. She’d already spotted the sign for the restroom, so she hurried there, entering the bathroom and breathing relieved at replaceing it completely empty.

Letting her bags drop to the floor, she turned to the mirror, gazing at her reflection and wondering, for the first time, what that man had seen.

He’d called her pretty…

But she wasn’t. Not like her sister, Sisi. She was the most beautiful woman Venezia had ever seen and she knew she could never compare.

So intent Venezia was on studying her features that it took her a second to realize she wasn’t alone in the bathroom anymore. That only registered when she heard a click on the lock, and tuning her head around, she came face to face with her greatest nightmare.

Michele Guerra.

The man she’d once loved more than anything. The man she now despised more than anything.