Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 40037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
“No, Kashmere.” He curved his lips into a devilish smile. “Your army would be my men. And trust me on this, I have more men than you.”
I quirked my brows. “How many?”
“I control the West Coast of America. If I call my soldiers to arms, they’ll rise up for me and arrive in Paradise by the morning. Thousands and thousands.”
Oh shit.
But I made sure not to get too excited.
What about the part you’re not saying?
The DeLuca Family would have unofficial control of West Paradise. There would probably be no real presence of Killer Crows. I would be more of a symbol than ever before.
“I can’t kill the Board.”
Santino sneered. “Since you’re my fiancé, all must give you the utmost respect. What Simon did in the hallway can never happen again, or I will rain bullets down on him and the rest of the Board.”
Jesus Christ. His temper is worse than mine.
Everything was coming at me so fast.
I tried to figure out what I could do with Santino’s resources without giving up all of my power and destroying my family.
He whispered, “You have the DeLuca Family at your beck and call. And of course, you have my full loyalty and every bullet I own.”
“Are you really serious?”
“I am.” He sneered. “Just tell me where to put those bullets.”
I crossed my arms across my chest. “And what would you want for your loyalty and the DeLuca Family resources?”
He closed the distance and placed his hands on the desk. Each landed on either side of my body, caging me in and making our faces only inches apart. “What do I want?”
My heart almost stopped.
“I want your heart. I want your body.” Santino leaned my way. His face was so close. I could feel his breath against my cheek, warm and minty. “I want your soul, and I want all of your loyalty.”
His closeness put me on edge.
I breathed in his masculine scent. He smelled sinfully good. Dark, like fine leather and a storming, thunderous rain.
I swallowed. “I couldn’t give you all of that.”
“But, you must.”
“My loyalty must always be to my family—the Killer Crows.”
Grinning, he touched the top of my head and slid his fingers along my temple. “Is that what you think?”
Shocked, I parted my lips. “Y-yes.”
Heat blazed in his gaze. “What if I told you that you were wrong?”
“I wouldn’t believe you.”
“Then, I would have to show you.” He moved his fingers across my cheekbones and then slid down my neck.
“Family is family, Kashmere. Blood is blood. Loyalty is loyalty.” He gently tickled me with his touch, sending delicious shivers through my body. “But, then there is the bond between a man and a woman.”
Sparks of fire shot up my spine.
My heart pounded in my chest.
Every fiber of my being was telling me to dive into Santino and experience his touch some more.
I held my breath in anticipation of pressing against him. This was the first time in my life that I had encountered something that could turn into a relationship, if I did, there would be no turning back.
He placed his fingers on my chin and held it. “Do you understand what I need?”
“I do, but like I said, my loyalty goes to—”
“Once you’re my wife, your loyalty goes to me.” He scowled.
“And is that what happens with you?” I smirked. “Once we’re married, will your loyalty to the DeLuca Family disappear?”
“Had you asked me that question a few hours ago, I would have told you that my loyalty would remain with my family, and yours can be wherever you want.”
“Oh really?”
“I wasn’t excited or even a little pleased about this surprise matrimony.”
“And, what changed?”
“You.”
I snorted. “Love at first sight?”
“Not love, but definitely an intense lust that could turn into love.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“It will.” His gaze fell to my breasts, which were straining against the fabric of my gown. A deep fire erupted in my stomach, and I felt a deep, small ache at my core. His dark voice caressed me. “Already I’m protective of you like you’re mine.”
“You seem like the type of guy that would always rescue a woman.”
“I’m not.” He licked his lips. “But I would gladly rescue you.”
My heart drummed in my chest. “Umm. . .I think we should focus on the reality of this situation.”
“Which is?”
“We’ve been brought together by other people to serve a purpose for our families.”
“And?” He brought his gaze to mine. “Does that mean we don’t honor the sanctity of marriage?”
“My sister was forced into a marriage. Her husband cheated and embarrassed her—”
“I am not him.”
“But, we can come to some form of an agreement where—”
“There won’t be any special agreements. When you walk down the aisle and put my mother’s ring on your finger, you’re mine. That’s it. And if you mention your Stress Relievers again, I will send my men to search the property for them and kill every one of them.”