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)
“It’s my turn to get cleaned up,” he announced.
My eyes lifted to his. How long had I been staring at his body, transfixed by the sight of his intimidating muscles? He could do anything he wanted to me, and I wouldn’t be capable of resisting him.
His silver eyes shone with suspicion. “If I let you out of my sight, you’re going to try to run.”
It wasn’t a question. My trepidation must be written all over my face—if I couldn’t fight him off, flight was my only other option.
I struggled to smooth my expression to something meek and bewildered. “I won’t.”
His lips pinched, as though he’d bitten into something sour. “Don’t lie to me, Evelyn.”
Another lie teased at the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed it down. There was no hiding from his keen gaze.
“Let me leave,” I pleaded instead. “I won’t tell anyone about what happened tonight. You saved my life, and I owe you for that. I won’t betray you to the cops, I swear.”
He cocked his head at me. “You really mean that.”
Again, it wasn’t a question. Massimo was clearly astute at reading people. Or maybe I was just too raw from my trauma to hide my emotions.
I nodded. “Let me go, and I won’t say a word to anyone. Don’t keep me as bait for George. Please, I—”
“Don’t say his name,” Massimo growled, eyes turning stormy. “I’m not keeping you as bait. You’re here for your own protection. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
All of my muscles tensed, my body instinctively going on high alert. But before I could even think about evading him, his strong arms closed around me. Once again, I found myself cradled against his hard chest. I tried not to notice the warmth of his bare skin and the way his dark, masculine hair tickled my cheek.
“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice shaking slightly. Despite my worry over the unknown, true fear didn’t grip my psyche. His compelling scent suffused my senses like a calming drug, and his hold on my body was achingly gentle, despite his strength.
He carried me into the bedroom and set me down on the enormous four-poster bed. My heart fluttered, unease stirring at the back of my mind. I was naked beneath Massimo’s huge shirt, and we were alone in his bedroom. His big hands touched my body as though he had every right, handling me with ease.
“I’m going to make sure you don’t try anything foolish,” he told me, tone firm. “I don’t want to have to deal with Duarte’s men if they catch you making an attempt to leave the building.”
I swallowed hard. “I won’t…” The protest died in my throat when his silver eyes flashed in warning.
I didn’t dare lie and say I wouldn’t try to escape the moment his back was turned. Staying here willingly wasn’t an option, and I would do whatever I could to get out of this drug lord’s fortress, away from the small army of criminals who defended it.
“Stay,” he commanded, giving my waist a light squeeze to impress his order upon me. Warmth pulsed from his hands through my belly, gathering between my legs.
Before I could process my reaction, he stepped away, quickly crossing to the chest of drawers on the other side of the room.
My stomach dropped when I saw the rope coiled around his fist, and I scrambled back, nearly falling off the mattress in my haste to put distance between myself and the predator prowling toward me.
He was on me before I could get to my feet, his sure hands clasping my ankles and dragging me back to the center of the bed.
“This won’t hurt,” he said, completely calm and unaffected by my struggles. “Don’t fight me.”
His long fingers ensnared my wrists, pulling my arms behind my back. Rough hemp rope lashed around my forearms, binding them so that my wrists pressed together, my fingertips brushing my opposite elbows. The position wasn’t uncomfortable; it didn’t put any strain on my shoulders. But being immobilized and made helpless caused my panic to resurface.
He pressed his warm palm against the center of my chest, just like he’d done when he’d calmed my panic attack. His chest braced my back, his big arms enfolding me in a perverse hug from behind.
He wasn’t done restraining me. I wriggled in his firm hold, but the rope wrapped around my chest, binding my arms close to my torso. It wasn’t tight enough to cause me any discomfort, but an intense sense of vulnerability settled over me. I’d never been capable of fighting him, but now I’d lost any illusion of control.
He finished off the tie at my back, but he didn’t release me. His arms caged me in, that reassuring hand still settled over my racing heart, preventing it from beating right out of my chest.