The sun was setting, the strings of color mesmerizing. We sat mere inches from the water, glasses of wine in our hands. He'd been so quiet the last few hours, studying me as if I was going to run away from him. I knew he had so many things on his mind, including his promise to walk away from the family, living the picturesque life I'd painted. The house was only the beginning of his fulfillment.
His legs were folded around me, one hand on my knee.
"You have to go back," I finally said.
"You don't like the house?"
"I love the house, the beach. Everything. But this is only a fantasy. Even if your father continues to improve, you know he's not strong enough to run the organization. You must take over the family. You have a duty, an honor." I'd heard his phone ringing earlier and knew that there was additional trouble brewing. There was no other choice for him to make.
"I made a promise. I am many things, but I will never lie to you."
"And you've fulfilled that promise." I was well aware of the guns in the beach house. He would never be far away from them. They would be a portion of my life.
"There will always be dangerous situations, assassination attempts, Caroline. I might not always be around to protect you." He pulled me tight against his body, enough so I could feel his beating heart.
"I knew that from the minute the deal was made."
"A deal with the devil."
I rubbed his arm, thinking about how we'd started, the lies and deceit that had nearly torn us apart. "You're my life, Dominick."
As if something clicked within him, he relaxed, the tension easing from his body. He'd taken a gamble, making a deal that no one could refuse, and he'd won.
My heart.
My body.
My love.
Would there always be danger? Without a doubt, but in the end, I knew our love would prevail.
If only the monsters would listen...
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The End of book 1
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Kelan
Abduction.
Taking her minutes before her wedding had been easy.
Keeping her might be something else.
But I was the kind of man who didn't take no for an answer.
"So, I think we should discuss a few very important rules." I moved to sit on the edge of the bed, giving the beautiful woman a stern look. "You are indeed my prisoner. You will do nothing without my approval. You will be supplied with clothing, food, even the wine you seem to adore, but they will be doled out as you learn to obey. When you're disobedient, the punishment will be swift and harsh. I am a reasonable man, Francesca, but I will not be crossed in any manner."
"How dare you treat me this way!" she exclaimed, hissing as her lovely mouth twisted.
"How dare I?" I laughed and shook my head. "You should know I'm your only means of survival. I suggest you learn to submit."
"Over my dead body."
She was a mafia princess, a woman unused to being disciplined in any manner. She'd been pampered from the moment she was born, treated as if she would one day be a queen. To me, she was just something to barter with.
"Fuck you!" she snapped, jerking her arm as she attempted to claw my face.
"And that punishment will begin today. Make no mistake, I am a dangerous man." Fisting her hair, I rolled her over, ripping down the shorts I'd provided. Now I owned every inch of her.
My possession.
I brought my hand down in a swift manner, even as she struggled to get out of my hold.
"No. No!" she squealed, whipping her arm back for protection.
I spanked her long and hard, moving from one side to the other, enjoying the building heat in my palm.
"Let me go!" She continued to struggle, her actions only fueling my desire. She had no idea what I could do to her.
What I would do to her.
I tangled my fingers in her long strands, yanking as I lowered my head. "I suggest you stop fighting or I will pull out my belt. You will learn your place." I could see the fire in her eyes, the kind that kept my cock at full attention, burning desire raging through every cell and muscle.
"Like I said. Fuck. You," she spat, remaining defiant.