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She finally did as I commanded, the grit and determination on her face intense. After yanking the glass from her hand, I placed it on the edge of the fountain. “You’re coming with me.”
“Where?”
I grabbed her wrist, dragging her behind me as I headed for the bank of olive trees.
“Valentin. Talk to me. Did something happen?”
I knew every inch of the surrounding grounds, and most of the vineyards as I’d walked them every single day I’d come here to heal. My innate knowledge of the location would prove to be useful.
“You wanted to crawl inside my world, Cassidy. Well, today is your lucky day.” I kept my fingers wrapped tightly around her wrist, yanking her down the knoll and heading for the rows of olive trees. They would provide seclusion as well an excellent material to be used for discipline, which is exactly what I’d provide if she tried to lie to me.
While she remained silent as I continued walking, I could hear her heavy breathing, could almost read her mind. After moving through the long rows until we were hundreds of yards away from the house of any prying eyes, I dragged her back against my chest. Then I wrapped my hand around her throat, forcing her to look up at the majestic creation from God.
“Take a good look at that, Cassidy. That tree is over three hundred years old. Look at the expansive branches and the fruit that covers them. Do you see the scars in the trunk? That tree has lived through several floods, and two fires on this land that ravaged thousands of acres. It also survived mankind.” As I tightened my hold, I was shocked that she wasn’t struggling nor was she making any sound.
I lowered my head, able to peer into her eyes. There were no tears as I would have expected. She continued to drive a stake into my heart with her softness and her vulnerability, but dear God, it was her resolve and her refusal to accept my brutal actions that intrigued me even more.
And I wanted her.
I needed her.
“Who are you?” I asked as calmly as possible, fighting the urge to rip off her clothes, fucking her relentlessly.
“You know who I am.”
“Do I? You lied to me from the beginning. Finding out that you are a reporter was the first red flag. Then I discovered what you’d been hiding. You’re right, Cassidy Worthington, daughter of Police Commissioner Colin Worthington. I do know who you are. You are a well-known and highly respected anchor and special feature reporter for Channel Twelve in Chicago, Illinois. The features you’ve covered have included some pretty nasty innuendos regarding the Adamos crime syndicate. The information you provided from a private interview with Lazor Adamos resulted in the Chicago police in conjunction with the DEA making several arrests. You’ve been courted by several national news programs, including New York. Is there anything that I just told you that’s incorrect? If so, please do tell me as I want to make certain I do indeed understand exactly. Who. You. Are.” While I wasn’t certain about a possible job offer in New York, the instant I threw out the accusation, I could tell I was right.
She didn’t answer, which only fueled my anger. I kept my hold tight, my cock aching to the point I could no longer focus. She was finally trembling in my arms. Perhaps I’d broken through to her, allowing her to get a better understanding of the bastard she’d fucked with. When she continued to remain quiet, I moved us both closer to the tree, peeling away one of the smallest branches, the flexible wood perfect for providing her with discipline in order to give her incentive.
“Did you really think you could hide your true identity from me? You appeared at my family’s restaurant then at my club. You expect me to believe it was coincidental? I don’t believe in coincidences any more than I do in fate, Cassidy. And I find it particularly interesting that your brother, your detective brother has been asking questions regarding the incident at my club. Now can you understand why I need answers?”
“I…”
“Whether or not you do no longer matters. You’re going to be punished.”
“You’re an asshole. I told you why I was in New York. I just…”
“You just what, forgot to mention the rest?”
“Why the hell do you think I was required to tell you anything?”
“Because you knew exactly who I was before you not only allowed but encouraged me to bed you.”
She managed to jerk her arm away, the hard slap not only expected but understandable. I closed my eyes, calming my rage before speaking again.
“Why don’t you go ahead and tell me once again how much you hate me? It’s fine. You’re right to do so, but I’m going to make certain you understand and accept who and what I am finally. Maybe then you’ll realize you can never lie to me.” I fisted her dress, prepared to rip it away, lust ready to take over everything else.
“Don’t! Please. It’s not mine.”
“I’ll buy Bella another fucking dress.” She gave a damn about the dress and not the angry monster she was facing?
She threw her head over her shoulder, the look in her eyes slamming a sledgehammer against the stake already positioned just above my heart. “No. I’ll take it off. You can’t disrupt her life because of me.”
Exhaling, I took a step backward, forcing myself to look away as I stripped away leaves and extra bark from the switch, trying to control my breathing. This woman defied all odds, pushing me into round after round of feeling remorse.
Adrenaline poured through my veins just as desire had stripped me of all rational thoughts. I would punish her for making me incapable of keeping my distance.
I snapped my head in her direction just as she was removing her panties in anticipation of her spanking. The sight of her naked, voluptuous body standing under the massive tree was breathtaking, my cock shoved against my jeans.
