AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No,” he said slowly. “I don’t think my bride is ready for a kiss. Not yet.”
I lifted my chin. “I will never be ready to kiss you. Luca will kill you slowly if you touch me.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Already so loyal to strong, handsome Luca?” he mocked. “Even after he raped you on your wedding night?”
“He didn’t rape me,” I seethed. It hadn’t been like that.
Had it?
I shoved away the treacherous thought before it could fully form. Luca had always ensured that I felt pleasure. He’d never hurt me.
“Let’s see just how badly you want to get back to your beloved.” Again, that lilting, mocking tone.
I bristled. Luca wasn’t mybeloved, and Dante knew it. He was enjoying twisting my words, trying to goad me into snapping completely.
Before I could swallow my indignation and claw back the composure that would protect me from his cruelty, his hands bracketed my waist. The world spun, and my abdomen collided with his shoulder. Instinctively, I struggled, beating my fists against his lower back as he carried me off, just like Luca had done when he’d stolen me away from Dante on our wedding day.
He palmed my bottom through the layers of organza that made up the skirt of my white gown, brazenly groping me. I thrashed and cursed him, and the bastard laughed.
Chilly air kissed the bare skin on my arms, and everything swirled around me as Dante put me back on my feet. He grabbed my hips and turned me away from him before wrapping a corded arm around my waist, tugging my back against his hard chest.
His big body practically enfolded mine, and I shuddered at his raw power. He wasn’t quite as broad as Luca, but he had a couple inches of height on my husband. His muscular frame was more than strong enough to completely overpower me.
A cold breeze raced over my arms, teasing through his body heat that surrounded me. We were outside a huge mansion built of stone that made it appear more like a castle. A circular drive surrounded a massive fountain, and the sound of splashing water was incongruously tranquil in comparison to the abject terror that fluttered in my chest. A forest stretched out before us, the only gap in the trees allowing for the winding driveway. It disappeared into the shadows, the twilight making the leaf-strewn grounds darker than the illuminated front porch, where Dante held me fast.
“You want to get back to Luca?” Dante murmured, his voice a heated caress on my neck. He released my waist, and cold washed over me. “Run.”
All my muscles locked up tight. I knew he was toying with me. It would be impossible for me to run away in this voluminous dress and high heels. If I tried to take the path, hewould be able to follow easily. But if I took to the trees, I was likely to get lost in the wilderness. I had no idea how large this estate was or how it was fortified. Even if I managed to reach the edges of his property, it was likely heavily guarded, especially considering the fact that he was bracing for Luca to attack.
“Don’t you want to fly away, little bird?” Dante cooed. “Here’s your chance.”
I rounded on him, tipping my chin back so that I could meet his sparkling eyes. “Stop toying with me.”
He grinned and traced the line of my clenched jaw. “I haven’t even begun toying with you, pet. But if you’re ready to beg me to fuck you, I’ll take you back inside.” He clicked his tongue at me. “I didn’t think you’d give in so quickly. You must like me more than I thought.”
I recoiled from his familiar caress. “I hate you,” I spat. “Don’t touch me.”
“You don’t want me to touch you? Then you’d better run fast, darling. Feel free to take off the dress and heels if that makes it easier for you. I’ll even give you a five-minute head start.”
I stood stiffly, forcing my back to remain rigidly straight when instinct warned me to drop my eyes. Suddenly, his hand wrapped around my throat, squeezing. I tried jerk away, but his other arm banded across my lower back, trapping me against his hard body. His eyes flared with sick pleasure when I gasped for air and found none. My lungs seized, and I thrashed against him. He kept my arms pinned at my sides, tucking me closer to him like a lover. My heart hammered in my constricted throat, all my instincts for flight igniting as I twisted in his firm grasp.
He leaned into me, until his shockingly green eyes filled my wavering world. His full lips brushed mine as he commanded, “Fly, little bird.”
He released me abruptly, and I stumbled back, gasping for air. My lungs burned, and the trees swam before me. I tooka stumbling step away from the monster, desperate to escape. His low laugh drew a shudder to the surface of my skin, and I lurched toward the woods.
“Four minutes and fifty-two seconds,” he prompted. “You’ll have to move faster than that, pet.”
A growl caught in my abused throat, and I kicked off the high heels that hobbled me. My fists sank into the organza skirt that hampered my movement, hiking up the material until it cascaded around my upper thighs. I didn’t have time for embarrassment to stall my flight for so much as another thundering heartbeat; I had to get away from Dante.
My feet pounded against the cold asphalt as I raced down the driveway, sticking to the smoother track for as long as possible. I’d have to veer off into the trees soon, but I would spare my tender soles for the first few minutes to put distance between myself and my insane captor. Taking to the woods would be my only option if I wanted to hide from him, but I had no idea how to get off the grounds if I strayed too far from the drive.
His laughter faded beneath the whoosh of my own panting breaths as I sprinted away from him. When the drive curved to the left, hiding me from his view, I sped right, breaking into the tree line. Slick leaves cushioned my bare feet, a small mercy that protected me from rocks that might pierce my skin.
“Nora!” Dante thundered my name from the direction of the path, and I pressed deeper into the woods, away from him. He’d started to pursue me. I would have to evade him amongst the trees and pray that I could find my way off his property somehow.
Something grasped my skirt, yanking me to a stop. I shrieked, terror spiking through me at the prospect that Dante had caught me. I stumbled and fell, the organza ripping as I tumbled into the leaves. I clamped my mouth shut, cursing myself for my scream.
“Nora.” This time, his voice was melodic, amused at my folly. He was getting closer.
