Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 61672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“Yeah.” He puts his hand on the back of my skull and grabs the roots of my hair. Leaning close, he whispers in my ear, “You like it when I threaten you . . . kitten.”
A thrill tiptoes down my spine. That’s the first time he calls me that pet name since we met again. And it still affects me the same way it did four years ago.
“You wouldn’t have come here if you didn’t want to see me again. Admit it,” he says.
I feel like he’s peering into my soul. The more time I spend with him, the harder it becomes to hide my secrets. “I had questions, and now I’ve heard your answers. My business is done here.”
“Is it?” Matteo catches my ear lobe between his teeth, his breath hot on my sensitive skin. “Then why aren’t you walking away? Why do I feel goosebumps on the back of your neck?”
Because I’m so attracted to him it hurts to even look at him, knowing he’s the man I need to stay away from. Because the heat emanating from his body is burning me up from the inside. Because the electricity crackling between us makes me want to forget about everything and just give in.
But I can’t tell him that.
“I know you’re scared, kitten,” Matteo whispers. “But we belong together. You’ll see if you give us a chance.”
Every nerve ending in my body yearns to close the gap between us.
I can go home if I want to. If I’m under Matteo’s protection, I won’t have to suffer the wrath of two mafia families.
I miss home. Terribly. Every time I see my son smile with those lips that resemble my mother’s, a familiar pain pangs in my chest at the thought of them never seeing each other.
But that would be irresponsible. What Matteo offers is too good to be true.
The moment I agree to go home with Matteo, he’s the one in complete control. There’s no guarantee he’ll protect me. It’s possible he’s furious that I ran away. Maybe he’ll make my life a living hell as soon as I wear his ring.
If this were just about me, I’d give this a try. But with Jack in the picture, I can’t be that reckless.
“What do you say, kitten?” Matteo plants a light kiss on my neck that makes my core clench with need.
“I can’t. I have a life here. I can’t just uproot myself and gamble everything on you,” I say, resisting the urge to let myself melt under his touch.
“A date,” he says in a hushed tone that tickles my ear. “Let me take you on a date. If you still want me gone after that, I’ll leave you alone. Nobody else has to know you’re still alive.”
It’s just a date. How bad can it be? On the other hand, what good can it do? What if it’s a trap?
I shake my head, unable to say no.
“I didn’t ask you a question, kitten,” Matteo says in a voice dripping with danger. “You’re coming on a date with me. I’ll break into your home and drag you out if I have to. But I prefer to do this the nice way.”
Matteo
When Grace opens the front door of her house that night in the red dress I bought for her, the sight knocks the breath out of me. It fits her perfectly, skimming her curves without revealing too much.
“Hello, gorgeous,” I say, handing her the bouquet of flowers. The paper wrapped around the stems rustle.
“Thanks.” She glances behind her. Then, careful not to pull the door open wider, she places the bouquet somewhere inside and steps out to join me. Her hair shimmers in the afternoon sunlight.
Grace is still hiding something, and I’ll find out what it is.
“Ready?” I offer her an arm and walk her to the car, a shitty rental I’ve been using for weeks while trying to locate her.
“Thanks,” she says when I hold the door open, and she steps into the car.
I glance at Grace as the car peels away from the sidewalk in front of her house. She folds her hands neatly in her lap, her fingers fidgeting with the light fabric of her dress.
“Something on your mind?” I ask.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Dinner. You’ll like this place.” I found the restaurant when I was checking out the state parks in the area, hoping to run into her at some random campsite.
“You’ll take me home again tonight, won’t you?”
I laugh. “Of course.”
So that’s what she was worried about. I can’t say it’s without reason.
I’ve kidnapped a few people—mostly men who deserve it, though. Even killed some of them without any remorse.
Even though Grace has caused chaos and violence with her actions, she doesn’t mean to hurt anybody. She acts out of self-preservation.
Regardless, if she doesn’t agree to come with me willingly, I’ll have to drag her home, kicking and screaming. I don’t want to do that, but she has left me no choice.