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)
George’s awful conversation in the alley played through my mind in a sickening loop.
“All he cares about is power and money,” Massimo growled. “I know men like him. He would sacrifice anything for it, even you. I won’t allow that to happen.”
My insides quaked at his formidable frown, but I managed to hold my ground, my defiant stare clashing with his. No matter what was happening with George, the man who held me so gently had just admitted that he was friends with a drug lord.
“Let me go.”
“No.” It was a low, firm refusal. There was no room for negotiation in that hard tone. “It’s not safe for you out there.”
“I’m not safe in here!” I shot back, my voice a bit too high pitched. I took a quick breath to quell my mounting panic and hurried on. “You’re a criminal. I don’t know where you’ve brought me, but it’s not a safe house. I want to leave. Now.”
“Stefano Duarte owns this building,” he replied coolly, completely unmoved by my outburst. “It would take a small army to penetrate his defenses. No one will get to you here.”
My heart sank. Massimo had saved me, but he’d also kidnapped me. I hadn’t known it when I’d willingly gotten on that motorcycle with him, but he’d managed to capture me with little effort.
All it took was risking his life to save yours, an unwelcome voice whispered in the back of my mind.
I ignored it. The cold, hard facts were that Massimo had been stalking me, and now he’d trapped me in a drug lord’s fortress.
Looking up into his silver eyes, I saw a flash of possessiveness, a dark hunger as he studied my face. Massimo wanted me, and he had no intention of letting me go.
Chapter 13
Massimo
Evelyn’s wide green eyes were fixed on mine, but her pupils weren’t dilated with desire. Her pale cheeks and the lines of strain around her lush lips conveyed one terrible emotion: fear.
Evelyn was afraid of me.
My gut twisted.
I’d enjoyed seeing myself as her protector far too much. I should’ve known reality would ruin that eventually.
I straightened my shoulders, hardening my resolve. The fact was that George Crawford was a piece of shit, and she would be in danger as long as he was breathing. I would continue protecting her, whether she liked it or not.
Evelyn wasn’t going anywhere.
But for now, I’d give her a little space to process her situation.
I became acutely aware of the faint pink smudge on her cheekbone where I’d wiped my blood away. There was more of my blood on her camisole, even though it was covered by my t-shirt.
Better mine than Crawford’s.
That fucker had no claim over her. Not anymore.
She wriggled in my arms, and I reluctantly let her go. She reeled, as though she hadn’t expected me to release her. I braced my hands around her waist, steadying her.
Her lovely eyes narrowed on me, and her chin tipped back in that defiant posture. She was brave, a quality I admired even as I craved to kiss the tension from her lips—until that impertinent expression melted from her delicate features. I wanted her soft and pliant in my arms, panting against my mouth with hungry lashes of her tongue.
I forced myself to let her go and take a step back. I crossed my arms over my chest to prevent myself from reaching for her again. She looked so damn fragile in my oversized shirt, her willowy frame appearing more delicate than ever.
Keeping her locked in a stern stare, I nodded in the direction of the ensuite. “Go get cleaned up. I’ll be right here,” I added, a reassurance and a warning. If Evelyn thought she had a chance of slipping away from me, she was mistaken. I would allow her out of my sight so that she could wash the blood off her, but I wouldn’t stray far enough to give her an opportunity to run.
Not that she would get far. I could easily catch her, and I’d restrain her if I had to. I knew how to bind a woman to keep her exactly where I wanted her without inflicting pain.
The prospect of having Evelyn bound at my mercy made something dark stir in my chest. I took another step back, careful not to scare her even more. Any sign of carnal desire would terrify her, and I couldn’t bear the fear that paled her complexion as she watched me warily.
“Go on,” I prompted, my tone leaving no room for argument.
She stiffened with indignation, but she slowly backed away from me, not taking her eyes off me for one moment—as though I was a predator that might pounce if she allowed her focus to waver for even a heartbeat.
I didn’t care for that, but I didn’t ease my firm stance until she disappeared into the bathroom and shut the door between us. I heard the lock click into place, but that didn’t concern me. No lock was strong enough to keep me out if I wanted to get to her.