Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 34295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
"Come any closer, and I won't need a weapon," I growl anyway. "I'll kill you with my bare hands."
"Ah," he says quietly, his smirk growing as he pushes the door slowly closed.
The quiet click as the latch catches makes me flinch.
"So you heard us outside, I presume."
"You mean heard you saying you were going to deal with me?" I demand, inching closer to the nightstand as if it offers even an ounce of protection. It doesn't. But I'd far rather stand my ground in front of it than beside the luxurious bed. "I swear I won't be easy to deal with, Luca Valentino." I glare in fury, refusing to show him just how terrified I am. I'm a principessa. If he's going to kill me, I'll die on my feet, screaming defiance.
"No?" His smirk turns mocking, his expression hardening. "You're chained to my bed, principessa. Seems easy enough to me."
Oh, I hate him. He's exactly like my grandfather. A monster.
"Does that make you feel powerful?" I snap. "Is that what you enjoy? Taking helpless women against their wills?" I run my gaze up and down him, filling it with as much contempt as I can muster. "I guess the rumors about you are true, after all."
"What rumors?" he growls, his smirk slipping.
I snort instead of answering. He knows what rumors I'm talking about. Everyone in our world whispers about Luca Valentino and the places he frequents. Sex clubs. BDSM playgrounds. Places promising pure hedonistic paradise for men like him. And yet he's never been linked to anyone. Nothing has ever been confirmed. It's always been unsubstantiated rumors. I don't think they're entirely wrong, though. Not if I'm here now.
Mattia Agostino didn't just bring me to him to keep Rafael Valentino's hands clean. I'm not just chained to his bed for the fun of it. He wants something, and he intends to use me to get it. Well, too bad for him because I don't much care to be used.
"The thing about rumors, Miss Genovese," Luca murmurs after a moment, striding deeper into the room. He moves like a lion, graceful and sure. "They're never entirely accurate. Take the ones about you, for instance. Rumor has it that you're never seen without an escort, and yet here you are."
Oh, he's infuriating.
"Yes, here I am. Because I was kidnapped from my own property. I wasn't aware I needed an escort to get a little fresh air on my own property, but I guess your family no longer plays by the rules," I snap.
"You mean the rule your grandfather violated when he kidnapped Rafe's regina?" Luca quirks a brow. "Or would that be the one he violated when he tried to have her kidnapped from Rafe's home?"
"I…" I swallow. "I don't know what you're talking about." It's not a lie. I actually don't know what he's talking about. Who did my grandfather kidnap? When?
"I know you don't."
"Your brother killed him." It's not a question. I already know my grandfather is dead. Domani and Coda confirmed it, but I want to hear the truth from this man.
"Yes."
I nod silently, shivering as a chill rips through me. "My father? My b-brother?"
"Alive." Luca pauses. "They’ll stay that way so long as they bow to the Capo dei capi."
Will they? Marcello, perhaps. He has no interest in being king of kings. But my father? Will he bow? I don't know. Money talks as far as he's concerned. That's all he cares about. Money and what will make him the most of it.
Luca draws to a stop in front of me, tipping his head down to study me. This close, I see the flecks of gold in his mocha eyes. His rich, earthy scent tickles my senses, making my head spin again.
"You drugged me," I accuse, though the words come out breathless and trembling.
"No, Mattia gave you a mild sedative to calm you down. He was worried you were going to hurt yourself." A frown twists at his lips. "You don't remember?"
"I…" For a long, frightening moment, I don't remember. And then a little flash of memory floats to the surface of my mind. "I had a panic attack. In the SUV."
Luca nods. "You couldn't breathe." His gaze flits across my face, searching again. "How often do you have them?"
"That's not your business." Hell will freeze over before I tell this man anything about the attacks that leave me defenseless and gasping for breath. I've had them for years.
He sighs quietly. "Have it your way, then."
"Plan on it," I snap, lifting my chin in a haughty display even though my legs want to collapse beneath me.
That makes him smile for some reason. He's far too beautiful when he smiles, like a lion at rest. And exactly like a lion at rest, he's still capable of inflicting mortal damage with minimal effort.