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My blood, my heart, every inch of me feels alive when he’s near.
Tommaso’s lips flatten. “Whoa. Who the fuck do you think you are?”
Antonio faces Tommaso and lowers his mask. “Go find another dance partner because she’s no longer available.”
Tommaso turns his head in the direction of Bruno and Luca.
Antonio laughs harshly. “Don’t you even think of running to the Marchettis.” He nudges Tommaso away. “If you do, I’ll drag you out back, call every bookie you owe, and offer to pay double your debt for each organ they remove from your body.”
Tommaso winces, all confidence dissipating from him. “Whatever, man.” He tips his chin up and walks away.
I hold my breath when Antonio turns to me. A black velvet mask covers half his face. When I attempt to remove it, he snatches my wrist, stopping me.
“Oh, come on. Let me see my Romeo’s face,” I tease, shuddering as he smooths his hand over my skin.
“Romeo?” He drops my wrist to circle his arm around my waist and tug me closer. “Our families aren’t at war, princess.”
“Never say never.” I lift my arm, offering him my hand, and we start dancing.
“Does your family plan to go to war?” He uses his finger to trace the rhythm of the orchestra’s instrumental rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Hurt.” “Or do you call me Romeo because I’m off-limits, yet you desire me?”
“The only man I’ll ever desire is the one I marry, who I’ll give my heart to one day.”
“Give your heart to one day?” he asks mockingly. “What if I rip your heart from your chest and take it? What will you do then?” Not an ounce of humor is in his tone. He tightens his grip on my hand, lowers it, and forcefully plants it against my chest.
I open my mouth, but no words come.
He bows his head and rests his forehead against mine. The movement isn’t gentle.
“I’m not the type to ask for something or wait until it’s given to me, princess. If I want it, I take it.”
I catch my breath when he spins me and then tugs me closer.
“If you even think about giving your heart to another man, I’ll dig my filthy hands into your chest and rip yours out, artery by artery, to stop you.” He smirks. “And I’ll never give it back.”
Why do his murderous words send chills up my spine?
Make me want to hand him my heart, no questions asked, no matter how dangerous he is?
Maybe I’m as deranged as him.
My eyes meet his—at least what the tiny slits in his mask allow. My heart begs for mercy, as I’m terrified of his words, and batters against my chest beneath our hands.
All my life, vicious men have surrounded me.
But at this moment, I swear I’m staring straight into the devil’s soul.
This man will drag me into his purgatory.
“I’d rather keep my heart in my chest, thank you,” I finally whisper.
“Then we’ll go with plan B.”
“What’s plan B?”
“You trust me enough not to let anyone else own it, and I’ll make sure it never stops beating.”
“You shouldn’t promise that to a person you hardly know. You can’t want someone’s heart,love them, after just a few interactions. I’m not someone who believes in love at first sight.”
