Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 73533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
“I give you my word, Cristina.”
“What good is your word?”
“It’s all you’ve got.”
“And why do you need me? Let’s both be clear here. You’re not helping me. What is it you want from me exactly?”
“For starters, I want tomorrow. I could threaten you. I could hurt you. Hurt someone you love. I’ll get what I want either way.”
“Then why are you even asking?”
“Because you’re right. You are completely out of your league. You have no idea who or what you’re dealing with. And maybe I remember that barefoot little girl, and when I see you like this, a barefoot woman lost in this damned place, this house of monsters, maybe I don’t like it. Maybe there’s something human left in me after all.”
Something in her eyes softens, and I see her innocence. I see a need to believe. To trust. Doesn’t she know what that does to me?
She looks away, then back to me. “Only on paper. The marriage will only be on paper.”
“The marriage will be consummated.”
She licks her lips and shakes her head.
I lean toward her. “Do you want me to remind you how wet you were the other night?”
“Why would you want me when I don’t want you?”
I straighten, snort. “You can deny it all you want if it makes you feel better about yourself. Deep down, you know the truth and so do I. Give me what I want and when the time is right, I’ll let you go. Don’t, and I’ll take it anyway. But you’ll be mine forever. And your forever may not be that long.”
Her face pales. I could have left that last part out.
I walk to the door, open it, and step out.
“Damian,” she calls out.
I stop. Turn.
“Even if I agree, if I give you what you want, know that it’s not a choice I’d make if I had any real options. Know that you’re still forcing me. And you can deny that all you want, but deep down, you and I will both know the truth.”
I grin.
Clever girl.
Maybe she isn’t so far out of her league after all.
I close the door and lock it behind me.
3
Damian
“Didn’t realize you were back,” I say, walking into the dining room where my brother turns to meet my gaze. “You should have sent a message.” I take the bottle of whiskey from Lucas, grab a glass, and pour myself one.
He goes to the window and lifts the curtain to look outside. “Would you have had my room cleaned? Had a welcome party waiting with a feast ready to celebrate the return of the prodigal son?”
“No, probably not.” I take a big sip keeping my eyes on my brother’s back. He’s so fucking dramatic.
“Didn’t think so.” He drops the curtain and turns to me. “Wanted to surprise you anyway.”
“Timing’s suspicious.”
“Michela likes to keep me informed.”
“I figured that much. And Dad? He keeping you informed too?”
He studies me, eyes narrowing as he takes a sip of his drink and grins. “All you have are enemies. How does that feel, Brother?”
“That’s certainly not the case now that you’re back, I’m sure.”
We both drink, neither of us taking our eyes off the other.
He’s put the weight he’d lost after the accident back on. Six feet four and built as powerfully as me. If it weren’t for the scars, I’m pretty sure you couldn’t tell us apart. But where my arm and torso burned, Lucas took the brunt of it to his face. He almost didn’t look human for a time.
“Patching you up piece by piece, are they?” It’s an asshole thing to ask, but my brother is an asshole.
He’s found good doctors, I have to admit. He always was a vain motherfucker. But the damage is still there, and it must have scared Cristina half to death.
“The girl,” he says, instead of answering me.
“Is mine.”
“Was that the blood diamond on her finger?”
“You have a keen eye.”
“One has to with you for a brother. That diamond belongs to the head of the family.”
“Correct.”
He finishes his drink, but I don’t miss how his jaw tightens. “When’s the big day?”
“Tomorrow. I’m glad you’ll be here to bear witness. I’d ask you to stand as my best man, but well, you’re no one’s best man, are you?”
“Fuck you, Brother.”
My smile almost reaches my eyes. I turn to grab the bottle and bring it back to refill his glass and mine. “What do you want, Lucas? Why are you back?”
“What do you mean? This is my home as much as yours.”
“This place isn’t a home for either of us.”
“If that’s the case, then why did you stay? You could have walked away.”
“You know that was never an option after you left. Now, what do you want?”
Moving to sit on the sofa, he’s thoughtful for a long minute. Doesn’t have that smug asshole expression on his face for a sliver of time.