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I slowly turned my head, realizing a window was wide open, transparent drapes billowing in the wind. The humidity was thick, but the breeze was cooling, providing a prickling shiver. There was also a distinct aroma. Salt. The ocean. Where in the world had he taken me? Fear crawled through my system, my throat tight as bile remained there. No one knew where I was. There would be no one coming to save me.
I tried to control my breathing, doing everything I could not to panic. Sevastian would want my vulnerability exposed, enabling him to break me. I could never allow that to happen. The man didn’t deserve an ounce of satisfaction.
Another jagged edge of sensations breathed against my back. Someone was in the room.
When I turned my head the other way, I bit my cheek to keep from crying out.
He was there, the bastard who’d seduced me and…
I tried to remember the details but so many of them were fuzzy. My vision finally clearing, I glanced from one side of the room to the other, finally able to comprehend my surroundings. I was in a bedroom somewhere, the dark stained wood of several pieces of furniture ornate in design.
He was watching me, studying me. I hated that he remained quiet, but I had nothing to say to him either way.
I purposely rolled over, trying to avoid his heated gaze, but I felt the slow burn from it against my naked skin. Oh, no. I shifted again, forced to realize I wasn’t wearing anything under the sheets. At least catching sight of my beautiful dress gave me some crazy moment of comfort. I was tired, more exhausted than I’d been in so long.
A shot. He’d given me an injection of some kind.
“Bastard,” I whispered involuntarily.
His dark chuckle was at least an acknowledgment that he’d heard me. I pulled the sheets tightly around me, hating the fact tears had already formed. I was terrified. Of him? Of the situation? Of the unknown? Yes, to all three.
“You can’t avoid me,printsessa. You will always belong to me.”
His deep voice skittered over me as it had done before. Softly. Sensuously. God, I hated the man for what he’d done. It didn’t matter he likely saved my life. I couldn’t forgive him for the horrible moment of seduction. “I can do what I want.”
His laugh was more boisterous. “Look around you. What do you see?”
“I don’t need to talk to you.”
He sighed, the sound more like an angry growl. Anger boiled within me, shoving aside the fear. I rolled over, fisting the covers. I hated my body’s reaction, my breath quickly stolen from the sight of him. As before, he held a stern expression, his ice blue eyes showing zero emotion as he studied me.
I allowed my gaze to fall, surprised to see him wearing jeans and an open shirt, the sleeves rolled past his elbows. He looked far less formidable, but I’d seen exactly what he was made of, the anger and hatred behind his actions. He loathed my family, and I would be required to take the brunt of his rage.
I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off him anymore than he was doing with me. I hadn’t noticed how tanned he was, his golden skin reflected in the bright sunlight. The lightweight material of his shirt managed to highlight his chiseled definition, his long arms, and his fingers flexed open as they rested on the thick arms of the upholstered chair.
When he sat up, I trembled, uncertain of what to expect. Every ounce of kindness, the man I’d called a savior was gone. He was on edge, every muscle tense. At this moment, he was nothing more than a ferocious predator, longing for retribution.
“You need to adjust to your surroundings, Giada, but I will no longer tolerate your insolence. I’ve brought you to a safe location, where you will remain. At some point, we will need to have a discussion.”
“How long are you planning on keeping me here?”
“As long as it takes.”
“That’s not a decent answer.”
“It’s the only one you’re going to get at this point.” He remained exactly where he was, still staring at me, dissecting me.
I’d never felt so uncomfortable, especially being naked around him, yet I couldn’t ignore the electricity that crackled around me like a wildfire. How could one man have this kind of effect on me? I turned away on purpose, shifting under the sheets until I was able to bring my feet to the floor. I remained woozy, obviously from the drug I’d been given. At least by sitting up in bed, I was able to see the glorious outdoors.
“Am I a prisoner?” I asked, fearful of the answer.
“That will depend on your behavior.”
I clutched my hand around the sheets, angry words ready to sputter from my mouth. “Do my parents know I’m alive?”
“They will at some point.”
“At some point. Do you understand or care that they’ll worry?”
