I shift my feet causing my ass to press suggestively against his groin. His fingers flex around my throat. I feel his cock become hard. “You don’t feel disappointed.”
“Hmm,” he hums in agreement. “I’m finding you are a surprise I don’t mind.”
Before I can utter a response he flips me around. My arms are bound by his hand over my head as he cages me against the wall. Time stands still. The noise behind us silences as the people seem to fade away.
What is it that has me so entranced by him? Why can’t I free myself of it? Of him?
“You do realize even if you would have gotten far I would have still found you.” It’s more than confidence in his statement; it’s a promise.
“Have you become my shadow, Rico?”
He tilts his head, eyes assessing me. And then it happens. That ghost of a smile I can’t help but adore. “I am your shadow, Imogen.”
The twisted part? I want that.
CHAPTER 23
Rico
“You brought her here?” Gino stresses between terse lips.
I personally don’t see the issue. She’s residing in my home. What makes others any more special to be denied entry? It’s also easier to keep an eye on her. She’s nifty and crafty. When it comes to survival her instincts kick in at an instance. If she could escape so easily while I was with her I can only imagine what she can do alone.
My gaze shifts to discover she’s already looking at me. She stands there innocently with her wrists bound by the Jute Rope. The fabric isn’t rough nor heavy on the skin but it still serves its purpose. When I had told Constantine no harm should come to her I had meant it. That included my methods as well.
I respond to Gino, “It’s either here or she’s left to her own devices.”
“And you don’t think you’re disrespecting Carina and Constantine for bringing an enemy into their home?”
“Daughter of an enemy,” I correct. From my peripheral vision I see her lips kick in response. Despite myself, satisfaction fills me. It’s not an unpleasant feeling.
He scoffs, retrieving his pocket knife from his inner pocket and begins to weave it through his fingers expertly. Faster and faster he goes without it ever nicking his skin. “It still wasn’t wise to bring her. She’s not a part of our Famiglia.”
Imogen coughs rather loudly. We both give her our attention. She quirks a brow with a smirk on her mouth as she wiggles her fingers in a form of hello. “I’m right here, you know. Whatever you say to him you can be man enough to say to my face.”
Brave. So very brave.
Gino steps towards her and out of instinct my hand shoots out to prevent him. He stares down at my hand clasped on his forearm and says lowly, “Remove your hand, Rico.”
“You are not to hurt her.”
“I wasn’t going to.” He roughly removes my hold by yanking his arm backward. I allow him.
As he stalks towards her she doesn’t cower. No, she rises. Her shoulders broaden and her stance widens. Even restrained, she appears ready for combat. I can appreciate that. I do appreciate that.
He stops a foot away from her. In my opinion he could create a greater distance but I keep that to myself. “You don’t belong here.”
“Yeah,” she snickers darkly. “You've already said that.”
“If you do anything to disrespect Don Constantine and Donna Carina?—”
“I know.” She makes a slicing of the throat motion with her thumbs. Then a sly grin plays on her lips. “But try killing me with him around and see how that goes for you.”
Deliberately, she looks past him and locks eyes with me. She winks. Something within me warms.
“Quite smug for a girl whose own father doesn’t give a shit if she lives or dies.”
She winces. Albeit small but a reaction nonetheless. She recovers, jutting her chin. A withering glare. If eyes could be made of fire it would be hers. “Let me guess, knocking a girl down because you have mommy issues?”
