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“I already bought it. I didn’t buy it for her. I’m not breaking your rule.”
“Oh, for the love…” my voice trails off as I figure out what Elio is trying to say. “You think this is like the swimming thing?”
“Isn’t it?”
I sigh. “No, Elio. No, it’s not.”
Elio frowns. “She can have any room she wants.”
“We will stay in the same room,” I assert again.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t trust you. I don’t trust you, and I will not be separated from my child while we’re here in your nest of vipers. Do you understand now?”
Elio’s face darkens. I prep myself for another round of bullying, but to my surprise, he hisses out a breath instead.
He turns back. “Fine.”
“Fine?”
“Fine. But,” his lips turn up in a slow grin that makes my blood heat. “If I give you this, you must also give me something.”
My heart slams in my chest. The lust in his eyes makes me feel like the ‘something’ he wants is something…
Hot.
“What do you want?” I whisper.
“I have to earn the right to be Luna’s father?”
“Yes,” any of the lustful thoughts I had are gone, quickly doused by his mention of my child. “Yes, you do.”
“Help me earn it. And I will treat you like…” his voice trails off.
I wonder what he was going to say. A queen? A whore?
A wife?
“Like you are not a De Luca,” he finishes.
Well.
That seems like the bare minimum.
“Why should I?” I whisper.
His eyes lock with mine. “You stole my daughter from me, Caterina. I do not owe you anything. You owe me. But I am not a monster. I know that in order to earn Luna’s love, I must find a way to work with you as well. So, I offer again. If I give you something, you will give me something in return. Understand?”
My words are caught in my throat. I nod instead.
“Good,” he turns on his heel and clicks down the hall.
Leaving me, spiraling in his wake, behind.
12
ELIO
