Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 54092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
"That's because I was made for you." I grip her hips, grinding her down on me, wanting her to take every ounce of pleasure she can get from me. "I was put on this earth to be yours, Amalia. You own me. You'll always own me. Te amo, my queen."
"Rafe!" She comes with a sharp cry of ecstasy, her nails embedded in my shoulders, her thighs cinched tight around my hips. Her pussy locks down around my cock, milking my shaft.
I yank her down on me as I come too, a choked sob of bliss leaving my lips. Goddamn. She's beautiful. So fucking beautiful. If this is atonement, I'll gladly pay. For however long I have to pay. Whatever price I have to pay. Whatever it takes to keep her with me.
She slumps forward on my chest, breathing hard.
"I love you," I whisper in her ear.
"Rafe," she whispers back.
Chapter Ten
Amalia
"What are you doing?"
"Ahh!" I scream, jumping a foot into the air. I whirl around to find Rafe standing behind me, glowering like I just tried to set his bed on fire. "You scared the crap out of me. Stop sneaking up on me!"
"I didn't sneak, Amalia."
"You're a freaking ninja."
"You're avoiding the question."
"I'm trying to look outside."
"Absolutely not."
I throw my hands up in the air, caught between the desire to scream and the desire to cry. It's been three days since Carmine tried to kidnap me, and Rafe has lost his mind. I thought having Coda and Domani following me around was bad. I was wrong. Having Rafe following every step I make is infinitely worse. When he doesn't like what I'm doing, he just picks me up and moves me. And he rarely likes what I'm doing.
Too close to the windows? Nope.
Doors? Forget about it.
Balconies? Ha!
I haven't seen outside in three days. It's driving me nuts.
I love him for being worried about me, but this is overkill. No one is going to kidnap me if I walk by a window. Nothing is going to happen to me if I crack open the kitchen door and peek outside.
Try telling him that.
He knows someone is after me. He just doesn't know why. For some reason, Carmine didn't tell him. A thousand times, I've opened my mouth to confess everything…only for words to fail me. I'm terrified he's going to hate me. I've been lying to him since the beginning. About who I am. About what I intended to do here.
He deserves the truth. I know he does. But I can't find the words to give it to him.
How do I tell him when I know it's going to break his heart? When I know he's going to hate me? I just found him. I'm selfish and horrible for wanting to keep him, and I know that, but I do want to keep him. So damn badly.
I need to talk to Diego. I need to tell him that I quit. That I'm not going to help him bring Rafe down and that everything has changed…except I have no way to make that call.
"You're not going outside, Amalia," Rafe says, pacing toward me. "It's too dangerous."
"Rafe." I take a deep breath. "Nothing is going to happen if I open the door to let a little fresh air in. I haven't seen the sky in three days. I'm going stir crazy. I won't even stick a toe outside. I just want to see the world outside this house."
He eyes me doubtfully.
"Please," I plead. "I'll be good. Lo prometo."
"Cazzo!" he growls, stomping toward the door. He flings it open, muttering under his breath the whole time. He's tense, his jaw clenched so hard it's in danger of cracking.
Guilt whispers through me. He's not being crazy for the fun of it. He's genuinely worried about me. Three days ago, someone he trusted tried to kidnap me. His enemy is offering millions for me to be brought to him. And he doesn't know why.
"Thank you," I say, reaching for his hand.
"I can't ever tell you no," he mutters, slipping his hand into mine. He pulls me toward him, wrapping his arms around me.
"Because you love me." I cuddle up against his chest, letting him hold me.
"I do love you." His lips touch my crown, lingering there.
Guilt threatens to crush me.
Tell him. Tell him!
"Rafe, I know wh–"
"Boss."
We both turn to look at Domani, who stands just inside the kitchen, his broad shoulders filling the doorframe. I swear, none of these guys ever missed a meal. It's like they all went to bodyguard school. Huh. Maybe they did. Or the Mafia equivalent anyway.
"Mattia says your brother is here," he says, his expression grim.
Rafe tenses.
"Luca?" I ask, frowning. He stops by a lot. I haven't met Gabe yet, but I know Rafe sees him often too. Well, under normal circumstances he does. These are anything but normal circumstances. Rafe hasn't left the house at all since the night he…dealt with Carmine.