Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
“Your fiancé isn’t coming to save you,” I snapped, a wave of ire surging to wash away my deviant pleasure.
She paled, but she didn’t back down. “I know.” She swallowed, her eyes shining with pain. “But I’m still an American citizen, and you’re friendly with the cartel. You can’t just kidnap me and expect to get away with it.”
“I didn’t kidnap you. You came with me willingly,” I reminded her, not caring for the way she was twisting the facts.
“I want to leave,” she insisted. “Are you going to let me go?”
“No,” I replied flatly. “Don’t ask again.”
She rolled her shoulders, shrugging off the threat in my tone. “Then you’re holding me captive, whether you kidnapped me or not. It won’t make a difference to the American authorities.”
“I don’t give a fuck about the American feds,” I growled. I probably should be more worried about them, but I was too obsessed with Evelyn to care. “No one will take you from me.”
I hated the fear that shadowed her eyes and softened her defiant posture. I’d wanted to make her melt, not wilt. I would have to be careful not to crush my delicate little flower.
“I’ll keep you safe,” I promised, gentling my voice. I sat down beside her, so I wasn’t looming over her anymore.
She tensed when I took her hand in mine, but she didn’t try to pull away. Her fingers were chilled with fear, so I brushed my thumb over her knuckles to warm them.
“I can’t let you go,” I said, a confession and a promise. It was too late for her to leave me. Evelyn belonged to me. She would accept that, once I proved to her how I would take care of her in every way imaginable. “It’s not safe for you out there. Crawford is still working for the DEA. If you go to the authorities for help, he will find you. And now that you know the truth about him, he won’t let you live.”
“You don’t know that.” Her voice hitched as she tried to deny the truth.
“He didn’t lift a finger to protect you,” I reminded her, keeping my voice gentle but firm. “He would’ve let his cartel friends shoot you to keep his secret safe.”
She closed her eyes and turned her face away, as though hearing the truth in my words caused her physical pain.
“I don’t want to be here,” she whispered. “I don’t want any of this.”
I touched two fingers beneath her chin, directing her gaze to mine. “Look at me.” The sheen of tears that brightened her eyes cut into my chest, but I kept my most volatile emotions off my face. Revealing the depth of my hatred for Crawford and the murderous rage I felt toward him for causing her this pain wouldn’t soothe her. She needed me to be calm and composed, in control of the situation.
“The time for regret is over,” I told her. “There’s no going back. You know the truth about Crawford, and you know you’re not safe with him. I will protect you with my life. Stay with me, Evelyn.”
She didn’t have a choice, but it would be easier for her if she could pretend. And I wouldn’t have to worry about her trying to escape if she chose to stay in the gilded cage that I would build for her.
A single tear rolled down her cheek, spilling over despite her attempts to rein in her emotions. “I’m scared, Massimo.”
Her admission hit me like a gut punch. It was the first time she’d ever said my name, and it’d wavered with fear.
But not fear of me. Not anymore.
Moving slowly so I wouldn’t spook her, I lowered my face to hers. Her gorgeous eyes widened, and her lush lips parted on a sharp intake of breath.
“Don’t be afraid, farfallina,” I murmured against her mouth, allowing my low command to sink into her.
Her head tipped back, offering her lips to me. I caressed them with mine, the barest suggestion of the way I truly wanted to kiss her: to claim her with my tongue and teeth.
But I could be patient. Evelyn would come to me. She would welcome me to ravage her. She would beg and whimper my name.
As I thought about her delicious submission to my will, my cock stiffened. I couldn’t deny my lustful reaction, but I wouldn’t take it out on her. Controlling Evelyn gave me the strength I needed to control myself.
So, I teased her lips with mine and traced the shape of her mouth with a sweep of my tongue. Her breaths came faster, until we shared oxygen. Her arms twined around my shoulders, anchoring her to me. I allowed her to pull me closer, even though I could’ve resisted if I’d wanted to. Evelyn was so small and fragile, and I could easily overpower her.