Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38835 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38835 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
“Yes,” Stefano agreed coolly, “we wouldn’t want to put our friends at risk. The city can be a dangerous place if you cross the wrong people.” He kissed Carmen’s cheek. “I know you’ll defend our interests while I’m gone, my love.”
“You’d never allow Los Zetas to step into your territory and live,” I said, reminding him that they were his enemies too. I’d promised to kill Crawford for him, but his issues with the rival cartel were a larger problem for his business. Duarte had a reputation to uphold, and he would defend his territory with swift brutality, regardless of my presence.
Duarte’s head canted to the side, and his dark eyes considered me for a long, uncomfortable moment.
“Of course not,” he allowed after several heavy beats of silence. “And when we return from Colombia, I’ll tie up any loose ends in that regard. I’m sure you’ll be happy to help, won’t you, Massimo?”
“I look forward to it,” I replied with savage sincerity. Once I sealed the deal with Adrián Rodríguez in Colombia, I would return to Mexico City, and I would make sure to kill George Crawford slowly.
“Enough business,” Carmen declared. “I’m famished.” She signaled at a server, and plates were set.
I turned my attention to Evelyn, satisfied that we’d passed Duarte’s scrutiny. Over two dozen of his associates were present, so the focus was off us for now.
I brushed a kiss over her soft cheek. “You did so well, farfallina. You make me very happy.”
She turned her peridot eyes on me. “I meant what I said,” she replied without any guile. “I know you’ll protect me, Massimo. I’ve always known that. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
I lifted our joined hands and pressed another reverent kiss to her knuckles.
How had I gotten lucky enough to ensnare the brave devotion of this stunning woman? She’d looked a cartel king and queen squarely in the eyes and declared her loyalty to me. She feared them, but she was passionate enough to boldly advocate for me.
My chest warmed. I’d never known a connection like this. I’d never shared the secrets of my past with anyone. In my world, women were fleeting indulgences, a way to attain carnal satisfaction through exerting my control over their pleasure. I didn’t have time for distractions, so I liked submissive women who obeyed me without question.
Evelyn had dared to defy me a few times, but I found that I enjoyed her fire. I relished the challenge of dominating a woman with such strength of character. It made her submission so much sweeter.
The raw honesty I’d shared with her in the wake of my nightmare should unnerve me, but I found that I only craved her more. I wanted more of her tender, soothing touches, more intimacy. It was utterly foreign to me, and if I stopped to consider how deeply I was trusting her with my secrets, I would probably be scared out of my mind at the vulnerability. As it was, I was too obsessed with her to care.
I fixated on her, studying the dainty way she held her champagne glass as she took a careful sip. Her every move was elegant and graceful, like a dancer.
I suddenly needed to know more about her. I’d seen glimpses of her sweet soul, and I was enamored with her beauty. But she now knew some of my darkest memories, the ones that still tormented me in my sleep after all these years. I needed her to be vulnerable with me too. The desire to possess her completely consumed me. I would learn every one of her secrets, just as I’d entrusted her with mine.
“Tell me about your family.” I didn’t bother to soften the command to something more conversational. She would tell me everything about her. I’d coax her if I had to, but in my eagerness to know her, I couldn’t summon up any finesse.
She dropped her gaze, her expression smoothing to a neutral mask. Her hand tugged free of mine so that she could cut into the fresh melon on her plate. She took a bite before she answered me, and her eyes briefly closed in a moment of blissful enjoyment.
I wouldn’t allow her to hide from me, even if that expression of bliss made me want to pull her into my lap and feed her from my own hand.
“Are you close with your parents?” I pressed.
Unease nipped at me. Was that why she’d demanded to go home to America? Because she wanted to be with her family?
The prospect made my stomach churn. I didn’t want to make her unhappy, but it hadn’t occurred to me that I might be causing her pain by separating her from her loved ones. I was so accustomed to my own lack of parental attachments that I hadn’t stopped to think about hers.