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I snapped, issuing an intense growl as I took two long strides forward. Dominick jumped in the way and I shoved him aside, terrifying the woman I was trying to protect.
“Yes, it does. You’re coming with me.” When I reached out for her, she scuttled backward, but the single touch of her skin, the electricity shooting between us was undeniable. Just like it had been before. The connection remained, one so intense and white-hot that my fingers felt blistered.
She rubbed her arm, tears forming in her eyes. “Please. Just leave me alone. Please. I beg you to honor my wishes.”
“No,” I snarled.
“Listen to me, Fran. You need to think about this.” Dominick’s reasoning voice barely registered. “For God’s sake, breathe and listen for once in your life. She doesn’t belong to you. She doesn’t want to be with you. Do you hear me?”
Blinking several times, I turned in his direction, furious at his words and interference. Then I could see the pain in her eyes, the anguish I’d caused by turning her away on a dark and lonely night.
Karma was a bitch but one I planned on using. That made me more than just a pig. I truly was a monster.
“Francesco,” she whispered then threw her hand out palm up, shaking her head. “You can’t. I don’t want you. You never meant anything to me, and I won’t allow you to interfere with my life. Be happy. Find someone else. Please.”
Her words were practiced, which meant she’d recognized me at the restaurant. What she couldn’t know was how aroused her sensual voice and firm words made me. She was entirely different than before, the realization of how much she’d changed pushing my cock into a painful fullness. She was much more self-assured, her anger given the situation fueling her actions. But she obviously had no idea what Dante would end up doing to her.
I took a deep breath, studying her intently.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that, little dove.” Dominick physically stopped me from moving any closer. It took everything I had not to punch him in the face.
“Don’t,” he hissed. “You need time. She does too.”
“I’m not your little dove and never was. Remember? You were the one who gave me wings, remember? I can’t do this. You just don’t… You can’t understand.”
What the fuck was going on?
“That won’t happen again. Wherever you go, I will find you. If that takes the rest of my life, then you will be mine. Hear me, Christiana. Your fate was sealed the day you walked in front of my car. You are mine. Always mine.”
I could tell she’d heard me, another tear slipping down her lovely cheek. There was such hesitation in her eyes, her expression something that would haunt me.
I issued another husky growl and as soon as I shoved Dominick away, she turned around and fled. Dominick refused to be treated as a pawn, remaining in my way. I could tell the man was prepared to fight me physically if necessary. What the hell was I doing? What game was being played?
“Goddamn it. Let her go, Francesco. You don’t understand what she’s dealing with.”
“And you do?” I spat, shaking him roughly then shoving him backwards until he almost tripped over a pew.
“Stop, Francesco. There’s more than just both your lives to consider. That’s why she’s so terrified.”
When he righted himself, I hissed. “I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re not, Francesco. You bulldoze your way through everything. You can’t do that now. Do you understand me?”
I took a deep breath, nodding.
“Just calm down. Think this through,” he encouraged.
“She is mine. I will have her in my life. I will ruin her father and kill that bastard Bianchi and his entire family. What the fuck were you getting at? Tell me. Tell. Me!”
Dominick glanced at Cayman as he flanked my side. “Then you’re going to need to listen to me. And I mean listen and not talk. Do you think you can do that?”
The tension between us was indescribable and I hated myself for what I’d just done.
Exhaling, I thought about his question and nodded. “Sure. Why not?”
“Good. Because what I’m going to tell you will likely damn my soul for all eternity, but it’s something you need to know. If it’s the truth, then it changes everything. Damn it.”
When he spoke, all the anger faded, replaced with an emotion I could barely understand. Gasping, I glanced up at the stained glass works of art.
