Page 19 of Revenge of Sin

There’s only one person who can answer all these questions for me, and I decide right here and now that I am going to get the truth out of him when he returns.No matter what.I have to know, one way or another.

As if by conjuring him in my mind, a soft rattle at the door alerts me to his impending intrusion.I walk to the small rectangular table pushed up against the wall and take a seat in one of the two black chairs, crossing my legs as I wait for him to appear.

What he’s done with the lady who was here before bringing me food and the like, I have no idea.I should be upset that he’s isolated me further, but there’s no denying the bubbling excitement that dances in my belly every time he’s near and especially after nights spent with him.

And now he has to decide whether to hand me over if I am to believe Nicolo.

I should be fueled with regret, but my traitorous body just wants more of what he has to give.The magnetic attraction is far too strong.From the first time I saw him in the club his very presence pulled me in, like I could feel him before I even saw him in his sexy masquerade mask and Armani suit.

That animalistic attraction drew me in, caused me to look around, seeking him out.Watching him standing against the pole in the club just assessing me, I felt those eyes and they heated my skin, just like he does every time he even looks at me much less touches my skin.

Vincenzo walks in with a tray and closes the door with an Italian leather-clad foot.He doesn’t bother to lock it.I wish I had been awake and heard the full context of the argument.

It’s hard to know what to believe…

Five days of him coming to my bed after darkness blankets the sky.I’d almost let myself believe I’m no longer a prisoner, and Vincenzo wants me all for himself.But that argument, the tenseness of his jaw.All bring me back to the reality of the situation.I’m still his captive, Bastian Gallini wouldn’t give up on his vow for vengeance, and a billion dollars is a hell of a lot of money to turn down.And am I really worth starting a war for?

Vincenzo’s dark suit melds to that powerful frame as he crosses the floor.

My eyes scan down the length of his body as I watch his panther-like moves, and then settle at his crotch.Thinking about what he did with that velvety piece of steel last night causes my cheeks to heat.I quickly avert my gaze, but it’s far too late for him not to have seen exactly where I was looking.

The smirk on his face letting me know he saw soon turns to a grimace as he reads a message from his phone.The way his jaw tightens makes me think the time has come to decide, hand me over, I really don’t know at this point, but that look, it gives me hope he may not really want to go through with an exchange.

A lump of anxiety fills the back of my throat and my heart with terrifying dread.Maybe it is time.Time for Vincenzo to hand me over to the enemy.Maybe the last nights have just been a diversion until they arrive.There are so many possibilities that my mind races with them all.

I mentally try to bring myself to calm.Vincenzo would not be bringing me lunch if that were the case.One argument sure, but maybe he’s just bringing me my last supper so to speak.My chest tightens with full-blown anxiety, distrust, confusion and muscle numbing fear, knowing any minute it’s going to turn into a panicked meltdown that I won’t be able to control.

Vincenzo places a tray in front of me.“Eat while I talk.It seems my brother’s said more than he should.”

His tone instantly puts me on the defensive.Something is definitely off.I’m in this strange place, without a chance in hell of getting out that doesn’t go through him.Now the only thing I have to protect myself and my pride is attitude.He’s going to do whatever it is he wants and the thought that he may even be contemplating an exchange hurts more than I can endure right now.

How can he be so calm when he knows what they will do to me?“You want to watch and gloat while I have my last meal before you sell me to the bastards?”Even the thought of seeing Bastian terrifies me, but he’s not going to know that.Never let them see you’re worried.Never.Once you do that, they will use it as a weakness.

I tried not to let him see my desire for him, but that backfired in the most spectacular and humiliating of ways given that we’re sitting across the tables as enemies again today.

“Eat, Anna.I won’t say it again.”

Bossy, arrogant….I exhale an exasperated breath but manage to find my fork more quickly than I probably should.But damn that commanding tone does not sound like someone I want to goad.Today, it’s different.Whatever mood he’s in surely has something to do with the argument and he’s clearly talked to his brother about it since I saw him last.

Vincenzo pushes the seat back from the table slightly, allowing himself room to let his foot lean against his knee.I try not to let it distract me but no matter that he is the enemy, my body is as traitorous as they come.I still want the bastard as much as I have since that very first night.

These nights together have only made it a hundred times worse.Sexually attracted to my captor.I’ve seriously lost my damn mind.That’s what anyone not me would say.

“Eat,” he urges, but this time somehow, it’s gentler.

I nod, rolling strands of the fettuccine on my fork and placing it to my lips.Creamy, delicious white sauce just like the recipe Sophia and I grew up enjoying.I try to savor the flavor, chewing and swallowing while trying to avoid looking up at all, but those dark eyes, they’re watching me intently.I don’t have to see them to know; they’re burning into my skin.

When my gaze lifts, Vincenzo doesn’t look away.His eyes meet mine head on, capturing them in the magnetism of the chemistry that floats in the air around us so heavy that suddenly I find it hard to breathe.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

He rakes a hand through his hair.“The conversation you heard in the casino.”

“The one where you called me a package?Like another product that you sell?”

His jaw tightens.“Listen to me.I know that’s what you think.”

“No, it’s what I heard you say.Your lips, your words.I didn’t dream it up.”