Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
The sound of that rings both true and ominous. I can’t put my life in the hands of a killer, but without his protection, I’m dead anyway. I saw who Luigi is. I saw what he does to people.
“He’s your boss,” I say, trembling in the comfortable temperature of the house. “He calls the shots.”
“I know how to handle him.”
I jump when Saverio puts a hand on my shoulder.
“This,” he says, looking at where he’s tightening his fingers on my flesh, “can’t happen. You can’t be jittery around me or jump out of your skin every time I touch you. That’ll be a dead giveaway that we don’t share an intimate relationship.”
“I can’t help it,” I whisper.
“You’ll get used to it. Start by being conscious of your reactions. Anyone looking on has to believe that you can’t get enough of my hands on your body.” His voice drops an octave. “Behave like a woman in love, and think of me as the only man in the world for you.”
“How am I supposed to manage that?”
His lips quirk. “Is it that hard to imagine? I’m not as repulsive as that. Women are attracted to me. I know the effect I have on them.” His gaze moves to my lower body as he adds, “You’re not entirely immune either.”
My face heats with shame. “This may be difficult for you to hear because it will make a dent in that inflated ego of yours, but I’m not attracted to your type.”
“No?” He leans closer, bracing a hand on the wall next to my face. “What is your type?” His mouth twists with disdain. “Justice Kearney?”
How dare he use that against me after he forced me to tell him something that’s still painful for me? Evan was a mistake I’m not proud about.
Clenching my teeth, I say, “I regret telling you that,” before I twist away from his unsettling proximity and flee down the hallway with no idea where I’m going.
“Anya.” He grabs my arm, breaking my stride, and spins me around. “I didn’t mean to rub that in.”
“Didn’t you?” I ask with flaring nostrils, staring up at his angry features. “Then how did you mean it? You’re no different than him. Evan gave me a shoulder to cry on. I told him about my mom, which was difficult for me, and he used it against me to accuse me of being just like her by trying to trap him by falling pregnant. If you tried to prove that you’ll use anything I divulge against me, you succeeded.” My smile is sarcastic. “Rest assured, that’s the first and only piece of personal information you’ll get from me.”
His rage is so fierce it looks as if a demonic light burns in his eyes. “Do not fucking compare me to him.”
“Then don’t behave like him,” I say, my voice cold.
He works his jaw, considering me for a moment before continuing in a calmer tone. “I’m not trying to demean you. I’m trying to make you understand how vital it is that you convince the world you are devoted to me.”
“Don’t worry. I got that the first time.” I add with snide, “My life depends on it.”
“Good.” His smile is dark. “I’m glad we finally got that out of way.”
I yank on his hold. “Let me go.”
Instead of complying, he tightens his grip and reels me in, making me bump against his chest.
“My touch is not as disagreeable as you’d like to pretend, tesoro. I know what I did to your body.” Making it sound like a warning, he says, “Don’t worry. With a little more practice, you’ll perform beautifully.”
I jerk away, my face blazing with indignation.
This time, he lets me go. “In public, you’ll tolerate my touch. Whether you enjoy that or not is up to you. I can make the experience very pleasant. The choice is yours. However, your obedience is non-negotiable. If I tell you to do something, you will do so without reservations. You will execute my orders without arguing. You will give me your compliance in everything I demand, am I clear?”
“What if I don’t?”
“Then I’ll make you, but I hope that won’t be necessary.”
“How?”
“Anyway I have to. You can fight me on this, but I will bend you to my will. I know how to treat a woman, but I also know how to break people.”
I don’t doubt that for a minute.
“Do you understand?” he asks.
I give a tight nod.
“Next point—obedience starts with respect. Under no circumstances will you disrespect me. You already owe me an apology.”
“For what?” I cry out.
“For insulting me in the car.”
“For telling you to go to hell?” I exclaim.
He narrows his eyes. “I told you that you wouldn’t like the consequences. You can either apologize or bend over and pull up your dress.”
Despite the anger and fear, a spark of heat ignites in my belly when I recall the memory of what he did in my kitchen. It should repel me, and a part of it does, but a part of it also perversely excites me. Not that I want to repeat the experience. I won’t put myself at such risk willingly. To be honest, I’m more afraid of my reaction than the fact that he may really make it hurt this time. Still, giving him my apology when I did nothing wrong goes against every grain of my being.