Chapter 25

Chapter 25
Santino Romano’s heavy steps echoed across the marble floor until he stopped at the foot of the bed. His piercing gaze met mine.

“You’re pale,” he said, brows drawn tight. “What’s going on with you?”

His sudden concern caught me off guard.

Before I could answer, he leaned in. His breath—thick with the scent of whiskey—brushed against my cheek. A chilled finger traced my skin, and my nerves jumped at his touch.

“It’s unbearable when you’re not near, Colina,” he murmured. “Stay with me tonight.”

My pulse quickened. I needed him to stay—but not for comfort. If I could keep him here long enough, get him to fall asleep… I might have a shot at escaping.

If that meant letting him have his way with me, then so be it.

Santino’s stare remained locked on mine, his expression unreadable, save for the burning lust behind his golden-brown eyes.

“Your eyes,” he growled lowly, “they’re dripping with need.”

“I want you,” I whispered, lips parting as his gaze swept over my body. “I want to feel you inside me.”

He didn’t hesitate.

In a heartbeat, he was on top of me, pinning my wrists to the mattress. My heart thundered in my ears. Good. The plan was working.

“Santino,” I whispered.

He slid a hand into his pocket and retrieved the key. Just as quickly as he unlocked one cuff, he clasped it around the metal railing behind me.

“What the hell are you doing?”

His voice was gravel as he leaned in. “Reminding you that you’re mine.”

Then his mouth was on mine—hungry, brutal, claiming. His lips crushed against mine like he needed to devour me just to breathe.

I melted into it.

He shifted, pressing his body against mine, and I could already feel his arousal. I bit back a moan, but he noticed. Of course he did.

Santino’s hands explored me, deliberate and unrelenting. Every touch set fire to my skin. He tore at my clothes like they offended him, baring me to his greedy eyes. His mouth found my neck, then my chest, leaving trails of heat that made me squirm.

“Goddamn it, Santino.”

His fingertips were icy and electric all at once, trailing across every inch of exposed skin. I arched under him, desperate for more, desperate to touch him—but restrained.

“I need to feel you,” he rasped.

His pants came off next. I watched—breathless—as he freed himself, large and ready. He slid between my legs, lifting them and spreading me open with firm hands.

With unwavering eye contact, he fondled my breasts, teasing my nipples until I bit my lip and gasped. My body shivered from his attention.

Then I felt his tongue on me.

A scream tore from my lips.

My entire body tensed at once. He sucked and licked, groaning against my sensitive flesh like he was addicted to the taste of me. My thighs trembled uncontrollably as the pressure built inside me.

He pinned my hips down when I tried to twist away from the overwhelming ecstasy. His tongue moved faster, determined to push me to the edge.

“S-Santino… I can’t—”

But just like always, he stopped before I could come. He lifted his head slowly, voice gravelly and teasing. “Not yet.”

I whimpered, still breathless, as he returned to my neck, kissing down my body until he reached my nipples again, licking and sucking until I moaned without shame.

My hatred—the fury I carried for him—flickered beneath the surface. But it was swallowed whole by desire. He took me like I was his to ruin.

He plunged a finger into me, curling it perfectly, watching my face as I cried out.

“Fuck!”

“I need to be inside you.”

With no warning, he thrust into me in a single brutal stroke, stealing the air from my lungs. My back arched, and my body clenched around him.

He grunted as he moved, hard and fast. His grip on my thighs was bruising, his pace punishing.

“You’re my filthy little captive,” he hissed.

His hips slammed into me again and again, merciless and driven. My fingers twisted into the sheets as I fought to stay quiet—but it was no use.

He was too much. He knew every spot to hit, every sound to pull from me.

I choked out, “Faster—please—”

That wicked smirk returned, and he obeyed, picking up speed until I screamed, clenching around him as I came hard.

“Fucking hell, Colina… this pussy is insane.”

“SAN… TINO!”

His final thrusts came hard and fast before he spilled inside me, his body collapsing over mine, breath ragged.

He lay there a moment, then raised his hand and gently brushed hair off my face, fingers grazing the edge of my cheek.

He released the cuff from my wrist, freeing me completely. I didn’t know why, but he didn’t reattach it.

“I’ll be back tomorrow,” he muttered, pulling on his clothes without looking at me.

“No… please. Just stay tonight. Just this once.”

But he didn’t answer. He walked out, slamming the door behind him.

I clenched my jaw, my chest burning. I needed to leave this place. My daughter, Isabella, needed me.

I sat still, replaying every moment. Shame, rage, and aching need warred inside me. I hated what he did to me. Hated that I let him.

I forced myself upright, shaking. The sheets stuck to my skin.

I was heading to the bathroom when the door suddenly burst open.

Lucia Romano—his sister—stormed in, pale and breathless like she’d seen death.

I scrambled for the bedsheet, wrapping it around me.

She locked eyes with me, and hers were brimming with urgency.

“I’m so fucking sorry for what my brother’s done,” she said, grabbing my hand tightly. “But I swear—I’m working on a way to get you out of here.”

I stared at her in disbelief.

“Don’t get involved,” I said without thinking. “This is my mess.”

She shook her head, her expression hardening. “No, Colina. This is on him, not you. Just hang on. I’ll find a way.”

With that, she turned and disappeared, leaving me with more questions than answers.

Could I really trust her?

I wasn’t sure. But for the first time in days, a tiny sliver of hope pierced through the fog.