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CHAPTERELEVEN
ETHAN
As she slept peacefully in my arms, I threaded her hair between my fingers. I had no idea how we'd ended up in that situation, but I liked it.
I'd had more than my fair share of women; it was one of the benefits of having power and money. Even so, no one could match Vanessa's soft skin that smelled like flowers or her innocent eyes that could tear you apart in an instant. It still mystified me, but there was something about her that transformed me into a completely different man. It confused me enough to keep me awake when my body ached for sleep.
Still, I couldn't understand. My initial reaction to her had been strong. Of course, she was stunning,but unlike withother women, having her did not diminish my desire for her. It only helped it grow, if that's possible. I was no longer just longing; I was in desperate need.
While she slept, I looked at her and brushed a lock of hair out of her face. It was simple: I longed to wake up beside her every day. I needed her to be as close to me as possible. I wanted to please her. And the last one was the most perplexing to me. Before her, I had never cared about making anyone happy. But there was something I couldn't quite explain. It was as if knowing she was happy would make me feel better. And it bothered me that my happiness had suddenly become dependent on Vanessa.
I wanted her to crave me. I'd seen her smile and heard her laugh, and I wanted to be the source of those emotions. Despite who I was, she desired me, the man who had caused her so much pain but still needed her. It was twisted in some ways, but then again, so was I.
Yet, I couldnevertruly have her, could I? The entire situation was complicated, and I needed to get to the bottom of it. And all the while, I'd keep her close by my side. Anyone who dared to harm even a single hair on her head was a dead person.
I leaned in close and kissed her forehead. Her eyes opened as I drew away. She stared at me in silence for a few moments before yawning.
"Why do you lookso serious?" she asked, blinking and stretching in my arms. As I gazed at her naked and stunning figure spread out across my bed, lust filled me once more. I wanted totake her again. I felt my cock harden with anticipation as I remembered how it felt to thrust into her wetness. But she was still new to this, and I didn't want to cause her any more discomfort for the time being. It could wait until the right time.
"Business," I said sternly before turning away.
She had no idea how much power she already had over me.
She was quiet for a moment before whispering, "Ethan?"
It was unusual for her to call my name. "Do you need anything?" I asked, my gaze searching hers.
Her gaze darted around; she was nervous. She averted her eyes and drew away from my arms. While she sat up opposite me, twiddling her fingers, I felt an emptiness.
"Kitty?" I hadn't meant to shout, but she jumped up a little, making me regret it. "What do you want?" I asked softly.
"Please,let Anna go," she said as she stopped playing with her fingers and looked up at me. "She's got nothing to do with all this."
I lookedaway. "I can't let either of yougo."
"But she's innocentin all of this." She grabbed my hands, and my gaze was drawn to hers.
"Vanessa…"
"Ethan—"
I yanked my hands away from hers and raised her head until she was staring me down.
"Years ago, your uncle made some poor choices. He harmed me and my family and should have given more thought to the consequences. He doesn't get to walk away from it all."
Her eyes were filled with tears, and her lips quivered slightly. "You're wrong. You must be. There's no way my uncle could have anything to do with this. He may have been a member of the Mafia, as you said, but he's not aman who'dkill anyone." She clung to my arm, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You don't know Uncle Fred like I do. He's been a real father to me. He's a good man who wouldn't hurt a fly. He's not like—" Her words came to a screeching halt, but it was too late. I could tell what she was going to say.
He's not like you.
Those were words Ineeded to hear. She was never going to accept me. Not for who I truly was and especially not for having captured her. I got out of bed and went to the dresser in the corner of the room.
"Ethan?" she asked again, her eyes welling up with tears.
I opened the drawer and rummaged through the photographs, looking for the right one. When I found it, I slammed the drawer shut and placed the photograph in front of her on the bed.
I was studying her while she was studying the photograph.It was a picture of Fred, my uncle Luke, Tristan, Paul, and myself. It was datedten years ago.
"Since you're still skeptical, your uncle and my family have a long history together. Everything was fine until he betrayed us by paralyzing my uncle's right hand for the rest of his life."
