AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His chuckle is gravel and smoke. “Your father liked that.”
“You thought I would?” Anger gives me the strength to open my eyes. Despite the chuckle, there is no sign of it or his thoughts on his harshly beautiful face—like always. “You want a breeding mare from good stock, so I’m the one you’re willing to take to cement your relationship with the Outfit, with Carlo. And if I don’t accept, you’ll take my little sister. What about Anna Kovalenko? For the last five months she’s been warming your bed. Why aren’t you marrying her? Is her family not going to get you all the power you want?”
His thumb runs along the back of my neck. I feel the light touch throughout every cell in my body. Air is tight in my lungs. “Stop.” I hate the way it comes out of me in a moan.
“Stop?” Lowering his head to within inches of my ear, his hot breath runs over my neck. I can’t contain the shiver that runs through me. “I’d hoped you had matured. It was one of the reasons I left you alone as long as I did. Sayingstopwhen you want more andnowhen you mean yes is a childish game. Didn’t you learn anything from the last time we met?”
His reference to that day pierces me deep, leaving me blinking back tears—no, he can’t see them. He doesn’t deserve them. I cried enough over that day.
Yellow runs over me, there is no hiding anything from him. “Why would I want Carina when I could have a wife whose body reacts to me the way yours does? Your answer—do you agree to our marriage or not?”
For a split second there is a glimmer of…is it fear, worry in his eyes? How could it be when he has to know I would never—could never tell him no? Hadn’t he just said what drove me craziest? A simple touch was enough to melt my bones, turning me weak and wanting for him.
“Yes, fine.” I push the words out of tight lungs.
He pulls back, satisfaction clear in his eyes. “Tomorrow afternoon you will shop with a stylist. We will call it your trousseau. From today you’ll have security, which includes a driver. Give your car to your sister or mother or whatever you want—you have no further need for it.”
He doesn’t wait for me to respond before he stands. I’m sitting stunned when his hand goes around my arm, lifting me from the bench. My knees go weak, and I sag into him. Like every time it happens, his body against mine leaves me gasping for more—for him pressed into every inch of me. A hiss escapes him. “Celia, your father is watching. Careful,kotyonok.”
The endearment sends a twisting deep inside me. His warning that Carlo is watching gives me the strength to stand on my own.
Milos opens the French doors for me. My mother is waiting, anxiety clear on her face. I nod. “Oh this is so wonderful, finally. Your father will be so happy. Mr. Levin, he’s waiting in his office. Is there anything I can bring you, coffee, tea or any other drink? Carlo has liquor in his office.”
His hand at my back guides me forward, we all move deeper into the house until we’re in the foyer.
“I need nothing, thank you. My only request is you assist Celia in the coming weeks in preparation for our wedding.”
“Weeks?” My mother looks to me.
“It is my wish we marry a month from now.”
“No, it’s too soon.” Carlo appears. “There won’t be enough time to arrange a wedding deserving of my status and yours. No one will say it wasn’t worthy. I also don’t want any questions of her virginity. The sheets will be presented at the breakfast the next day. If you’re marrying her to knock her up, I don’t want anyone counting days.”
Humiliated, I want to disappear into the floor. I’m not aware I press into Milos—seeking his protection from Carlo—until I feel his body go hard against mine.
The doorbell rings, pulling me from him. My mother moves to open the door, her job as the maid of the house. Dominic Sabatini steps into the house with a nod at my mother. His sapphire blue eyes see everything in one glance.
“Everything good, Celia?” The question is gentle, yet his tone implies violence if my answer is no.
Tension goes up in Milos beside me. Swallowing down all the things I want to say, I simply nod.
Milos’s strong hand is at the base of my spine, rubbing a soothing circle. “As usual, your timing is impeccable, Dom.” He looks to Peter, his guard who is always at his side. “See Ms. Parker home, remain with her and have a new car ready for me.”
A harsh bark of laughter comes out of Carlo. “No one wants her, you’re wasting resources on her.”
Milos stiffens against me. “If no one wants her then why are you pressing so hard for so much of my money and concessions?” His words are arctic cold. “Celia, go home.”
As I leave, I give Dominic a grateful smile. He stops me with a large hand on my shoulder before pressing a kiss to my cheek. “If you need anything, call me.” The words are so low I barely hear them.
“Thank you,” I whisper, knowing I won’t.
I follow Peter out without looking back.
“What did Sabatini say to you?” Peter asks as he holds the door open to my car.
“None of your fucking business,” I reply as I get in.
He doesn’t like that. Too fucking bad. Frowning, he waits until I’m inside and my seat belt fastened before he moves away. I’m grateful for the time it takes him to get into the large black luxury SUV behind me before turning on my own car and putting it into gear. The car Milos told me would no longer be mine. As much as I want to resent him telling me to get rid of it, I don’t have the right—considering he’s the one who gave it to me.
