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How? Gian shot back almost immediately. What do you think Duarte will say when he finds out you’re holding Crawford’s fiancée as a hostage in his home? You should have asked his permission before you kidnapped her and brought her there.
I blew out a soft sigh, careful not to rouse Evelyn. She’s not my hostage. I’m protecting her from Crawford. Duarte is the kind of man who will understand that. He didn’t mind that I killed his men to save her.
Duarte won’t like the fact that Crawford is still breathing. Enzo was quick to remind me.
My jaw clenched. I don’t like it either. He’ll be dead soon enough.
Once I took Evelyn in hand and ensured she wouldn’t try to run from me, I would be free to resume my pursuit of Crawford. She seemed like a reasonable person; she’d endured horrors and hadn’t broken down into hysterics. She’d been consumed by panic for a few terrible minutes—when she’d been afraid of me—but I’d managed to soothe her.
In her confusion, she might not realize the electric chemistry we shared, but I would use it to my advantage. She responded to my touch, and I would gladly take every opportunity to hold her.
Have a safe flight. I sent the final text and closed the messaging app. I didn’t want to argue with my friends anymore. They needed to trust that I could navigate this situation, just as I trusted them to set up the infrastructure we needed in Europe.
I knew I was acting out of character, and that would worry them, especially when we were so close to attaining our goal. I’d never obsessed over a woman like this, and I definitely didn’t hold them captive, no matter how dark my sexual games could become.
My connections with women were meant to be hedonistic and fleeting—fulfilling my most savage needs without the headache of emotional attachment. I was too busy with my work to indulge in long term distractions. Ensuring my security, power, and wealth was more important than a relationship. And my devotion to my friends’ mission far outweighed my nonexistent interest in romance.
But Evelyn was different. The innocent beauty looked at me as her protector. No one ever looked at me like that. The feeling was new and addictive, and I craved more.
I reached for my phone again and tapped out a message to Duarte’s staff, requesting breakfast. Evelyn would be hungry when she woke up, and I couldn’t allow her to sleep for much longer. I had to talk to her about attending Duarte’s party tonight. I had to make sure she would behave for me.
A few decidedly wicked ways to enforce her obedience played through my mind, but I shut them down before they could fully form. She would be terrified if she woke up to my hard-on. It was difficult enough keeping my lust in check with her delectable body cuddled up against me, her feminine curves barely concealed by my oversized shirt.
The sight of it on her pleased me more than was probably healthy. But after seeing her in Crawford’s bloodstained shirt, the visible sign that I’d staked my own claim over her filled me with savage satisfaction.
I stroked her soft cheek, tracing the tiny, light freckles that dusted her creamy complexion. “Farfallina,” I murmured, rousing her gently. “It’s time to wake up.”
Her long, pale lashes fluttered, and her brow pinched with confusion. Those stunning peridot eyes peered up at me, and I watched as reality darkened her lovely gaze. She was remembering where she was, what had happened to her last night.
I flexed my arm around her, tugging her closer in a reassuring embrace. “You’re safe, dolcezza.”
Her eyes began to shine, and she blinked quickly to hold back her tears. I cupped her cheek in my hand, grounding her to me.
“It’s okay,” I murmured. “You can cry. You don’t have to hold back around me.”
She’d hidden her distress from Crawford, protecting him from worry with her quiet strength.
But I was strong enough for both of us, and she didn’t have to bear that kind of burden now that she was with me.
She blinked again and swallowed hard as she edged away from me. “Let me go.”
I didn’t budge an inch. It took no effort at all to keep her pinned to my side, trapped in my arms.
“I’ve got you,” I soothed, brushing my fingers through her silken hair. She’d calmed when I’d petted her like this last night, but it didn’t seem as effective now.
She squirmed. “Please.” Her plea came out on a ragged whisper.
I couldn’t bear the prospect that she might fear me, so I reluctantly released her. Maybe a little space would allow her to sort through her surging emotions.
She scooted away from me, clambering off the bed to put distance between us. Her eyes were wide on me, her gaze flicking over my bare chest before snapping back up to my face. She licked her lips and took a step back, putting more space between us.
Her pupils were dilated—with fear or desire?
I wanted to believe that she was aroused by the sight of my body, but she was undeniably shaken by everything she’d been through in the last twenty-four hours.
I sighed and nodded in the direction of the ensuite. “Everything you need is in the bathroom. Let me know if you want anything different from what I ordered.”
Her toiletries, makeup, and clothes had been quietly delivered a few hours ago. Duarte had an efficient team on staff, and they hadn’t asked any questions when I’d messaged them to request everything that Evelyn might need. I would make her comfortable here with me, and she would have no reason to want to leave.
