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He doesn’t respond.
I guess not.
“You kidnap men?” I ask next to fill the silence that has now taken over. I peek over at him. Even though I only have a view of his side profile, I can still see the tightness in his jaw. His eyes remain on the road.
“Yes.” He finally answers after a few seconds. But I’m not sure if he’s answering my first or second question. Or maybe it’s both.
“Is that a yes to question number one or question number two?”
“Both.”
“I’m flattered I’m your first.”
He flicks a glance over at me before his eyes go back to the road.
“I’m only teasing.”
“I’m not.”
“Do you laugh?”
“No.”
“Do you smile?”
“No.”
“Is all you ever say ‘no’?”
“No.”
I snort a laugh. I swear I see his lips twitch. I love that I got him to do that.
“So I was thinking about my kidnapping. Maybe you don’t have to ransom me to my father. My sister’s husband Antonio might pay for me. I think she might have him wrapped around her finger.” I hold up my pinky and wiggle it. When I talked to her earlier, she sounded so in love. The way she went on about her husband and how he treated her–he has to love her. “I didn’t know men in this world could love their wives.”
“The Palermo family treasures their women.”
“Really? Why?” I turn in my seat, wanting to know why they’re so different.
“Nothing makes a man more deadly than thinking someone will hurt the woman they love. The biggest wars have been fought over women. I think your father might be learning that lesson now.”
“I don’t think he loves my mom.”
“No, but he’s infatuated with his mistress. Women are cunning. They play the long game. They can be your greatest asset or your quickest demise.”
“Wow, you really believe that?”
“It’s what I’ve seen in my life. Often the last words some men utter before they die are about a woman. They can steal money and obtain power, but you can’t make someone want or love you, and that will drive a man insane. Especially ones used to getting what they want.”
“You sound like you speak from experience.” I turn back in my seat, not caring for the idea of Fernando pining after some woman. He might already have one, but I don’t see a ring on his finger. Not that men always wear them.
“I speak from what I’ve seen. Nothing more.”
“You don’t have a girl out there waiting for you? If you were mine, I don’t think I’d care much for the idea of you kidnapping other girls.”
“No one is waiting for me, Bianca.”
“No one?”
