Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 36154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
She frowned. Taking a deep breath, she stared out his apartment window. So much for her being able to live her own life.
The basement where she trained was gone. The garden. The roses. The swimming pool. He’d swept her away from everything she knew, even the comforting smells of her father’s study. All of it was ripped away from her.
“Isabella, are you listening?”
No, she’d tuned him out.
After their wedding night, he’d taken her home and didn’t stay with her. She’d eaten dinner on her own, slept on her own, and woken up alone. Then he’d come halfway through the day and driven her to this awful place.
She hated the city. It was why she wanted Daniella to leave. To take her son and get the hell out. The city was toxic. It wasn’t safe.
“I want to go home,” she said. “Your apartment is nice but I’m not staying here.”
“Isabella, I’ve already sent everyone home. There’s no one there. You’re going to stay here for a short time.”
“I didn’t give the instruction.”
“I did.”
“You took over from my staff.”
“I told them their services were not required and they’re not, not right now.”
“You had no right.”
“I have every right. As your husband, I do what I think is best for you.”
She shook her head. “No, you do what you think is best for yourself.” She walked toward him, slamming the cards against his chest. “I don’t need these. I’ve got my own money.” She went to the door, opening it, but a guard stood there, halting her from leaving. “Move.”
He didn’t budge.
“Close the door, Isabella. You’re not leaving.”
She slammed the door and turned to glare at him. “What is this? You’re married to me and now you think you can control me?”
“This is for your own safety.”
“Where is Randy?”
“He’s running some errands.”
She scoffed. “You still don’t trust him.”
“It’s not a matter of trust.”
“Yes, it is. I’ve told you can you can trust him but you don’t believe me.” She looked around at the coldness of the apartment. This wasn’t home. “I don’t want to stay here. This is not my home.”
“And your museum is not our home.”
“It’s not a museum.”
“You’re right. It’s more like a mausoleum to your father, mother, and brother.”
“You have no right. They are the only family I had.”
“I’m the family you have now.” He stormed toward her. “Me. I’m alive. I’m going to keep you safe. I’ve got more power here. Out there, you’re at the mercy of anyone who is willing to do whatever for a price.”
“And I’m not here?”
“I have more men here. This is my domain. This is where I live. No one would dare.”
“You’re not infallible. I’m at risk no matter what.”
“What is your problem?” he asked. “I’m doing this for you. You can go anywhere. Do anything.”
“Damn it, Damon. I wasn’t brought up to go shopping or get my nails done. I was brought up to hunt, to kill. I don’t want to go shopping. I don’t want to go and get all pretty. My life is back at that house,” she screamed.
“No!” He took a step closer to her. His rage struck so quickly. She stepped back, but he moved closer. “You had no life back in that house. All you had was memories. Your father trained you to attack. To deal with someone who would dare come too close to you, but he didn’t prepare you for the real world. He didn’t make you aware of everything that could happen to you. You’re a woman and life isn’t about training.”
“All he did was the same as what you all get,” she said. “Training. Commitment.”
Damon shook his head. “No, we don’t just get training. We’re taken out, we’re shown the ropes. You know very little about this world that you’ve been thrust into and if you’re not careful, it’s going to get you killed. The first rule, trust no one.”
“I trust you.”
“And you’re a fool. I’m the only person you should trust.”
“Because you’re my husband.”
“I’ve proven myself time and time again. You’re safe with me.”
“I’ve lived with Randy all my life. He’s the only person I can trust.”
He shook his head. “No, he’s not. He’s a man with needs like everyone else. What does he want out of life? Where is he hoping to go? Does he want to be a soldier? He’s the bastard son of the Boss. We all know he’s ten times better than the Boss’s first son, Andrew. He should be the one to take his place, but we all know that’s not going to happen.”
She gritted her teeth. “You’re being unfair.”
“No, I’m not. This world creates monsters. Not heroes.” His gaze dropped to her lips.
She wanted to slap him.
To lash out.
Cause him pain.
To do anything that would make him stop her from doubting the only man she’d ever really trusted.