DECEPTION : (A student/teacher romance)

I swallow back the lump in my throat as we turn into my father’s estate. Nervousness is not a feeling I’m accustomed to, and truth be told, I’ve only ever felt it around Hallie.

She stirs beside me, her body spent after I fucked her brutally at the altar while marking her ass with my name.

“Little Red.” I place the car into park and gently rouse her. “Hallie, wake up.”

She startles awake and darts her head around, taking in my family’s home. “Where are we?”

“At my dad’s.”

A choked noise leaves her lips. “I-I thought we would be going back to the cabin.”

My lip twitches at her words. Knowing she loves the cabin so much has my veins filling with warmth. One day, I hope to relocate my family there, if my father ever allows it.

“No, baby. We need to inform my father of our marriage.”

A soft cry leaves her pouty lips, and I brush the stray hairs from her face. “Don’t worry, Little Red. I’ve got you.”

“Rocco, I don’t think he’s going to like this.”

There’s fear in her tone, and I can’t help the chuckle that escapes me. “You’re right. He’s going to fucking hate it, but he doesn’t have a choice.”

Without giving her a chance to argue, I throw open the car door and make my way toward hers.

The sooner I deal with this shitshow, the better.

But one thing is for sure.

Hallie is a Marino now, and nothing he says will change that.