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“Roman. When is the next shipment coming in?” He’d been placed in command of the arms sales in my absence, both purchasing and selling. He spoke several languages as did I, making him the preferred man to handle foreign relations.
“Three days. And we have a buyer interested from Colombia, someone we haven’t used before. While his credentials check out, my gut tells me it’s a setup.”
A red flag shot up, my mind shifting to the attack on the restaurant, what few words two of them had spoken. Plus, his instincts were almost always right. Also, if word on the street was correct, this could be the scenario I’d heard about in order to steal the shipment. “Set up a meeting later today. I want the details.” While the sale had been planned, the deal made far too lucrative to pass, the timing was terrible. I would handle this transaction personally. As far as a new buyer, I kept the target market small for a reason.
Staying alive.
“Absolutely, sir.”
“What now?” Sanchez asked as he moved closer.
“Now is all about waiting and watching. Some asshole will rear his ugly head, claiming the attack. At this point, he has no idea my plans or that of my father. But fatted pigs always make their way into the light.”
He laughed softly, shifting his gaze toward the car. “What about her?”
“As of now, she’s my property. The contract my father signed means that the wedding can’t occur until her twenty-first birthday, which is almost two months away. Until then, we wait and see. Make certain she doesn’t find a way to make contract with her family. I don’t need their interference.”
“How did this happen?” When I gave him a certain look, he held up his hands. “Not prying, boss. Just curious. I didn’t know we were getting into bed with the Italians.”
The term he used was strikingly correct. “Not my idea but it could work for us, as long as she cooperates.”
“Understood. Is she on lockdown to the estate?”
“We shall see how she behaves. At this point, yes, at least until further notice.” It was likely I’d be required to handle business off the island. The last thing I needed was for the rebellious woman to create any issues. “Antonio. A doctor is expected in a couple hours. Have him brought to the house.”
“You got it, boss.”
I returned to the car, opening the door and gathering her into my arms. She was likely dehydrated from the long hours, her terror creating some of the exhaustion. As she laid her head against my chest, I gritted my teeth. She seemed so small in my arms, all the spunk and power she’d tried to portray wiped away.
If only I could feel guilty about taking her away from her life. That wasn’t possible. I carried her into the house, marveling at the various displays of flowers. I allowed the staff to decorate as they saw fit, but it appeared as if they’d been told I wouldn’t be alone on this trip.
How news traveled fast.
I took the stairs two at a time, moving to the end of the hall. The room had been prepared as I’d required, the second-story location providing a limited but gorgeous view of the ocean. Yes, I wanted to make her suffer, but my methods had nothing to do with the ways I handled my more aggressive enemies.
I ripped down the covers, gently placing her on the soft sheets. Then I gingerly eased her dress over her head. While it was torn, I’d give her the choice whether to toss it in the trash. Her naked body was a powerful draw, pulling me into the same kind of darkness I’d felt around her for two nights. I could easily devour her, but even I wasn’t a sick fuck. She would be completely awake and an active participant when I took her again.
She immediately rolled over, sliding her hand under one of the pillows. As I stood over her, my thoughts were driven to the moments before the attack. She’d felt good in my arms, her body molding against mine perfectly. A single touch of her skin had seared the ends of my fingers, providing an entirely different set of sensations than I was used to.
The intense need continued to burn, keeping my heartrate high. The dichotomy of emotions had riled me more than once and I suspected would do so again, my hunger already active even in her state of slumber.
I eased onto the bed, caressing her face, trailing my fingers down her arm. She was soft, far too much so for the rough world she’d been born into. She’d been sent away, which meant her father had attempted to protect her. Look what good that had ultimately done him.
When I moved to a standing position, she opened her eyes for only a few seconds. But I caught a glimpse of her anger. I’d broken the slender tether of trust she’d thought she’d found with her savior. She would never again make that same mistake. I opened the window and by the time I peered down again, she was fast asleep.
“I will return,printsessa.”
I moved to the door, looking back only once. The dull ache in my heart was as confounding as the attack. The desire for her was increasing. There would be no letting go, the beast inside needing a fix.
I issued a strangled laugh then closed and locked the door. That would likely be my damnation.
CHAPTER10
Giada
A small sound captured my attention, but I was comfortable, unwilling to respond. The light breeze gently wafting across my cheek, brushing ever so silently down my arm tickled, yet I didn’t want to open my eyes. I was captured in softness, billowy clouds of down feathers tickling my skin. I could tell I was smiling, although as visions rushed in front of my eyes, I wasn’t certain whether the images were real, or some enticing fantasy.
I opened my eyes, wincing from the extreme light. After rolling over, a small part of my consciousness realized I was in bed. Maybe I was having a wondrous dream about… a cold shiver slammed into my system. The attack. The fire. Oh… I opened my eyes again, remaining still as I tried to focus. Where was I? Nothing was recognizable.
