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“O-kay. Then where are you from, Georgia Ingalls?”
“Madison, Wisconsin. My parents are Shirley and Ralph Ingalls. They still live there.” My words were said quickly. Oh, God. How had this happened?
He crowded my space even more, forcing me back against my car. “I’m no fool, Georgia. I know exactly who you are. I also know your parents still live in Connecticut in a lovely house on Canyon Avenue.”
Oh, my God. The man was threatening me. “You bastard. If you dare lay a hand on them, I will find a way to kill you, so help me God.”
My admittance was exactly what he’d wanted, a wide grin crossing his face given he’d caught me in my lies. “It’s a genuine pleasure to meet you, Charity.”
“Please. They don’t deserve to suffer any more than they already have.” My voice sounded so weak. I glanced around him toward Dillon, fighting to keep from crying. “And don’t you dare hurt my baby. He’s all I have.”
There was something far too enticing as well as terrifying about the way he narrowed his eyes, as if he was in full control not only of his surroundings but of me as well. He was a wolf waiting to pounce, his razor-sharp teeth primed to slice into my jugular. “I have no intention of hurting your son, Georgia. I’m many things, what some people would call a man without scruples, but I’m not a monster. As long as you do what you’re told and answer my questions, everything is going to be just fine.”
“What does that mean? What? I know you’re working with my ex-fiancé. I know you’re here under his orders to bring me back. His fucking brother showed up dead on the shores. You with a bullet wound. I’m no fool. You were a part of whatever happened. So what the fuck are you waiting for?” When Dillon turned his head toward me, I realized I’d raised my voice entirely too much.
Sabatino laughed, muttering something in Spanish under his breath.
“Don’t do that. Don’t whisper words in another language. It’s fucking rude.”
He nodded, as if respecting what I’d said. “Forgive me, my little peach, but your reaction surprises me.”
“Why? You’re just Rico’s flunky. I admit, the theatrics were brilliantly done. I almost believed your bullshit about having no memory. And I almost bought that we shared something…” God, what was I thinking?
“Something? Finish your sentence, Georgia. I’m very curious what you were thinking we shared.”
He was so formal, the way he muttered my name a reminder that he knew enough of the truth to have the upper hand. “Unusual.”
“Yes, it was unusual. Wasn’t it?” He inched even closer, his aftershave tingling my senses.
“What do you want from me?”
“What do I want? The truth. Always. And you’re going to give it to me.”
“I don’t understand who you think I am. I don’t know what the hell you really want from me. I offered you safety and help and you’re accusing me of what? You have no idea who I am or what I’ve been through.”
As he took a deep breath, I shuddered from the ominous feeling that my second life had just ended, stolen by a handsome man with engaging eyes.
Using just his index finger, he raked hair from my face, peering down at me as he’d done before. When he was someone I’d saved. When he was someone I’d hoped I could trust.
When he’d been my lover.
He gripped my throat, his fingers digging in painfully. His brutal action was telling me in no uncertain terms that he could just as easily end my life as he could save it. I was lightheaded, still trying to keep my wits about me. As he lowered his head, he lifted mine, forcing me to look into his eyes. His were full of venom. Suddenly, our lips were almost touching. “You’re a beautiful woman, Georgia. However, Rico Garcia is an enemy that needs to be eradicated. And you’re the key to helping me do that.”
“What does that mean?”
“That means you and Dillon are coming with me.”
I tried to jerk out of his hold, but he was too strong. “I’m not going anywhere with you. This is my home. My entire life is here.”
“If what you’re telling me is the truth, then you’re running from a monster who will eventually learn that he has a son. Dillon is Rico’s son. Yes?”
For all the times I’d avoided tears when I’d been at my lowest, it was as if one weight had been lifted from my shoulders, a boulder positioned in its place. As a single tear rolled down my cheek, Sabatino studied it carefully as he rubbed his thumb back and forth across my lips.
I noticed a hint of compassion in his eyes as he questioned whether or not he could trust me. How could he when I couldn’t trust myself. “Yes, Dillon is his son. I was only a few weeks pregnant when I fled his horrible clutches.”
“He abused you. He was the fucker who carved your beautiful skin.”
I wanted to believe he gave a damn but at this point, I just couldn’t.
