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She hurries after me when I cross the room to gain some space from her nearness. “Why? I know you haven’t made any inroads yet. Use me.”
“Haven’t I already used you?” I bark back.
“As much as you’d like to make me feel like a whore for your pleasure, Ricardo, I see myself glistening on your lips, and I truly believe no one eats pussy the way you do unless they care for their partner’s needs, too. So cut it out.”
“I’m not going to let you put yourself in danger.”
“Let me?” She stares up at me with her eyes dark, memorizing my every move. Willing for me to go to bat for her and all I can do is tighten my hands into fists at my side to keep from touching her.
“You’re not always this stupid, are you?”
“Stop it. I am not stupid!” She bares her teeth at the word. “You don’t let me do anything. I choose my own path, my own future, and I don’t see why you care, anyway. I’d be helping you reach your end goal. It’s not like you’ve ever given me the time of day before.”
It’s better for her to think of me that way, I reason as I step into her. I finally lift my hand to curl my fingers around her throat and push her backward.
Because if I’m the unfeeling asshole who has never looked at her twice, then I have more freedom to do what I need to do to cut these ties between us and between them. To get her out of this ridiculous contract and keep her out of danger.
Isabella doesn't so much as blink as I back her into the windows at the rear of the room, her spine hitting the glass. She maintains direct eye contact as I start to squeeze at her neck, the hold just tight enough to let her know I’m in control here. Not her.
I call the shots.
I hover over her and tighten my grip until her breath catches, then say, “You aren’t going to do a damn thing. Nod, if you understand me.” I wait for a beat, but she still refuses to move.
Her looks have always deceived people. She’s gorgeous. The type of walking sex who puts people in mind of a movie star, and Isabella knows how to use it to her advantage. The same way her sister did. According to my uncle, Mia, being a slender, delicate woman has helped her gather information in multiple situations where she’s been skipped over and overlooked. A mask.
Isabella wields her own.
There is more than empty, vapid self-assurance lurking inside her brain.
And right now, that part of her is assessing me to see how far I’ll go.
I squeeze a little harder to let her know I’m not joking. “Stay out of this, and let me handle it. You are only going to fuck things up for us, and if you push me, then something worse is going to happen. Stop pushing.”
I’d never follow through on the threat.
“If you’re going to choke me, then do it like you mean it.” She finally lifts her hands, placing one over top of mine and the other at my wrist. Tightening my grip. “I like it.”
Well, fuck me.
My arms drop to my sides in the next second. It’s definitely not what I expect her to say, and it brings us to an impasse. Whatever I do from here, I’ll have to maneuver around her to get her out of this.
“Go take a shower,” I warn. “We’re spending the night here, and I’ll drop you off at home in the morning. We’re not sharing a bed.”
The fact that I feel the need to warn her lights a spark in her eyes, and I’m halfway tempted to throw a fist at the wall and walk out. Instead, I have to settle for crossing toward the front door and letting it slam behind me, shaking the room. Wondering how long I’ll be able to hold out against her or if I’ve already lost the plot.
How did I let myself get trapped here with her? How did I let Isabella out of my sight long enough for her to get trapped into a contract with a warring family? A bunch of killers and rapists and shit eaters who are trying to move in on our property?
There’s a slight chill in the air, and I shove my hands back into my pockets, treading carefully down the stairs and onto the street.
“Stay here with her.” Two of my men nod and stand at attention, guarding the door. I jerk my head, and the third follows behind me.
I’ve got to move, to think. And maybe I’ll get lucky enough to figure out a way to save us both from this war.
7
ISABELLA
When was the last time I had something to eat?
