Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38835 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38835 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
“Photographing what inspires me,” I replied, catching the moment his eyes flashed with hunger.
He stepped toward me and placed his hand on the camera, gently urging me to lower it.
“Do you mind being photographed?”
“No. But I don’t want to damage your new camera. I could buy you another one, but I think it would upset you to see it destroyed.”
“Why would it be damaged?” I allowed him to pluck it from my hands and place it on a glass table that was set up in the heart of the garden.
“Because I’m going to fuck you hard enough to make you scream, and I would probably smash the lens.”
“Oh,” I breathed.
His sensual lips were still tilted in an arrogant smirk when his mouth lowered to mine. Massimo had promised me that he would fuck me hard enough to make me scream, and he always kept his promises.
Chapter 14
Evelyn
“You look beautiful.” Massimo dropped a kiss on my shoulder, just beside the row of diamonds on the necklace that marked me as his. “Are you nervous, farfallina?”
“A little,” I replied honestly. “But I’m okay.”
It wasn’t an empty reassurance. Even though we were about to join dozens of cartel members for one of Stefano’s lavish parties, I wasn’t afraid.
I was with Massimo.
I tucked myself closer to his side and walked with him into Stefano’s club. The VIP mezzanine level was exactly as I remembered it: ultramodern, with a large dancefloor illuminated by flashing golden lights and a sleek ebony bar. Most of the guests were gathered there, sipping drinks and making conversation.
The ground floor of the club below seemed completely deserted. I wasn’t sure if it usually operated as a real nightclub for the public, but it seemed Duarte had chosen to keep tonight’s festivities limited to his closest associates.
The drug lord still unnerved me, and I would’ve been a fool not to be wary of him.
But when Carmen spotted me and glided across the dancefloor toward me, I didn’t feel so much as a flicker of fear. The cartel queen was formidable, but she’d never threatened me. When we’d first met, she’d gone out of her way to ensure that I wasn’t being abused by Massimo. She hadn’t helped me escape, but she’d made sure that I was safe.
“Evelyn, it’s wonderful to see you again,” she greeted me with genuine warmth in her light brown eyes. “Stefano told me that Colombia was difficult for you. I’m glad you’re all right.”
Massimo tensed beside me.
Neither of us liked the dark memories that stirred.
“I’d like to talk with you privately,” she continued, addressing me. “You’ll have to excuse us, Massimo.”
She didn’t wait for his permission. She barely even glanced at him as she looped her arm through mine and guided me away. My feet stalled for a second, but Massimo gave me a tight nod.
I relented, following where she led. I didn’t have a clue what the cartel queen might want to say to me privately, but it seemed impolite to refuse. And she’d never been cruel to me. I didn’t mind talking to her, even if I already hated the distance from my dark protector.
She took us to the same seats she’d chosen for our conversation last time, when she’d asked me if Massimo had violated me.
As soon as we were seated, she leaned toward me, her eyes dark with concern. “Stefano told me you tried to run away, and you suffered for it. I’m sorry I didn’t help you before. I didn’t realize you were so desperate to escape from Massimo. If something had happened to you, I never would’ve forgiven myself.” She reached out and placed her hand over mine. “Tell me what you need. I can get you a fake passport, a new name. Anything. I can’t promise to return you to your old life, but I can set you free.”
My breath caught. I could be free of the cartels, away from all the violence and danger.
My gaze strayed to Massimo. He watched us from across the bar, ignoring the men who were trying to engage him in conversation.
Freedom from the cartels meant leaving him behind.
Carmen noted the direction of my gaze. “I understand that desire can be complicated,” she said carefully. “I thought you cared for him, which is why I didn’t help you before. But lust isn’t enough. You must realize that, or you wouldn’t have tried to run away from him.”
I shook my head. “It’s not like that. I do care for Massimo. I tried to leave because he did something I didn’t understand, and he didn’t stop to explain himself. We talked about it after, and he promised he’ll do better.”
She regarded him with incisive eyes, considering him. “In our world, it’s common for men to think they don’t have to explain their actions. Massimo answers to no one except his boss back in Naples. It’s not hard for me to believe he fucked up like that.”