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“You’re the Beast. The head of the Di Bello Family.”
The wooden mask is carved to look like a terrifying beast, and it works. I’ve heard urban legends all my life about this mask. That people only see it when they’re going to die. Is that what’s about to happen to me?
“Very good,” he purrs. “I was worried you wouldn’t know who I was, which would complicate things.”
I take another step back. “I have done nothing to warrant a meeting with you.”
“Haven’t you?” He takes a step toward me. “I know you’ve sensed me over the last few weeks.”
I swallow and find myself pressed against a bookshelf behind me. He moves until I’m caged in. My gaze darts around, trying to find an escape. I have to get away from him, I know that much.
He presses his hand over my breast. “I can feel your heart pounding. Tell me, little bird, is it out of fear or desire?”
His words stun me before pissing me off.
“It’s not desire!”
He chuckles darkly. “No, I don’t suppose it would be out of desire yet.”
Yet? Yet! I shake my head, denying him. I willneverdesire him!
“I want to go home.”
“You are home.”
“No, I’m not. My home is on the other side of town. Just have your goon take me back. I swear I won’t call the cops or anything.”
He can’t see the hand behind my back, nor does he know I’m crossing my fingers.
“Youarehome, Dove.”
He says it as if it’s the truth.
“No, I’m not. I want to go.”
I try to move past him, but he stops me with one muscular arm.
“You are home.”
“You’re crazy.”
He snorts. “I’ve been called worse. That doesn’t change the fact that this is now your home. I suggest you come to terms with it sooner than later. I did, after all, pay a lot of money for you.”
Guess dear old dad was telling the truth about selling me. Fucking jerk!
“What happens if I don’t come to terms with it?”
His gaze narrows. “You don’t want to find out.”
The realization that I should have run a long time ago hits me like a ton of bricks. He’s been watching me for months and I ignored my gut feeling that told me to run. And now I’m trapped in his house. A whimper escapes my mouth before I can stop it.
He sighs. “It’s always the hard way.”
Before I can ask what he means, he scoops me up, tossing me over his shoulder like I don’t weigh two-hundred and fifty pounds. If I wasn’t fucking terrified, I’d be impressed. We’re out of the library by the time it crosses my mind to fight back.
“Help!” I scream. “I’m being kidnapped! Fire!”
He snorts. “Fire? That’s a new one. And no one is going to run and save you unless I tell them to, so you’re quite literally wasting your breath.”
