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“What?” She seemed surprised.
After climbing out, I glanced at the man in the tower before moving to the other side of the vehicle, pulling her out. While I usually enjoyed punishing anyone who thwarted me, this afternoon was entirely different. I was enraged but my other needs were taking precedence. Peace. The single moment of peace I’d felt had been buried inside her sweet pussy. I also had the innate need to protect her, and I would with my life.
I grasped her hand, leading her through the thick foliage. As soon as I breached the clearing, I took a deep breath, not surprised the intruders had used this area as an entrance, even though the terrain made the location treacherous for boats.
My grip still firm, I closed my eyes briefly, calming my anger. “You defied my direct orders.”
“You’re already told me that. And I told you, I just wanted some air, a taste of freedom.”
“Freedom. You lived in a glass house, Giada, more protected than you believe you were. That’s exactly the way it should be. Women are precious and should be protected.”
She threw me a look as if she didn’t believe me.
“However, as with every glass house, it can be broken, the contents destroyed.”
“As I told you, I can protect myself,” she insisted, then sighed. “I’m not naïve in the least. The glass house wasn’t as protected as you think. It was shattered more than once, crushing my belief that I could have a normal life.”
“Like your birthday party.” I could tell her mind was spinning, reliving period of her past that had shaped her future. Just like mine.
“Exactly like my birthday party. I’d just wanted a regular party like any other teenager, but that was the day I realized nothing would ever be normal in my family, not even for a day. Maybe you’re right about protection. The men who died that day were supposed to protect my family.” There was bitterness in her voice as well as a sense of knowing. “I’m not a fool, Sevastian. I just don’t like our world very much.”
“You may not like it,printsessa, but you will learn to accept the dangers.”
“Even if I don’t want to.”
I studied her intently then pulled her back against my chest, holding both arms, pointing toward the ocean. “Do you see the rocks over there?”
“Yes.”
“Men climbed over those rocks breaching the tight security. All the fucking money I’ve spent ensuring this damn island is protected and assassins crawled up the beach, heading for the estate. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”
“Of course I do.”
“No, I’m not certain you realize just how much danger you were in. Do you understand what could have happened if they’d found you on the beach? Do you?” I was shaking from the thought of losing her.
“But they didn’t.”
I turned her around with enough force she yelped. “That’s not the point, Giada. Those men were trained killers, men who enjoy torturing people to get what they want. If you think for a single second they wouldn’t have abducted or killed you, then you truly have no understanding of this world we live in.” My breathing labored, I dug my fingers into her arms. No woman had ever grabbed at my heart the way she had. If a single man dared to hurt her, they would face my wrath.
“Why does it matter to you, Sevastian? Why? You don’t care about me. This is all about a vendetta, an act of revenge. Do you really think that destroying me and my family changes that? I’d rather be killed by men I didn’t know than by a man I…” She gasped, looking away from me. “Fuck you, Sevastian.”
I allowed her to break free of my hold, watching as she stumbled closer to the beach.
I raked my hands through my hair, fighting the demons buried deep inside. I could tell she was crying, wrestling with emotions that she didn’t deserve to suffer with.
When I moved closer, she tensed, shaking her head several times. “Why, Sevastian? Just tell me why you care. Money? Power? What?”
I reached out, longing to stroke her soft hair. Then I eased her around to face me once again, only this time I cupped the side of her face, rubbing my thumb back and forth across her beautiful skin. “Because the moment I met you, I knew you were the one. Because I could have lost you.”
She lowered her gaze, her breathing ragged. “What would that matter to you?” When she tentatively placed her hand on my chest, the jolt of current slamming into my system wasn’t just about the desire I felt for her body.
It was also about the fact I couldn’t live without her.
“Because you mean the world to me, Giada.” As I lifted her chin, her eyes searched mine. When I lowered my head, she wrapped her hands around my shirt, rolling onto her tiptoes. I crushed her against me, rolling my hand down her back. The moment our lips touched, she quivered in my arms, awakening the hunger and need.
She was the only thing that mattered in my wretched life.
A breathtaking flower.
