Reaching over I pull it out, staring at the official letterhead. Just another reminder that this place was never really my home. Dad rented this place, trying to paint a picture that was all a lie. The great father, the big shot in the big house. All of it lies. And stupid me, never even questioned how he could afford this place on his salary. “I’m so mad at you, Daddy,” I whisper, looking up to the heavens. “But I miss you.”
All thoughts of my father disappear into the ether as my front door swings open and Bane steps inside like a fallen angel, his broad shoulders filling the frame, his cobalt eyes locking onto mine. He looks devastating in his dark jeans, black tee, and leather cut.
I climb to my feet as his gaze sweeps through the empty room before stopping on the overnight bag at my feet.
“Going somewhere, baby?” He lifts a brow.
I bite my tongue, hating the way my heart flips at him calling me baby.
“Running again?” He takes another step into my space.
I narrow my eyes at him. “I don’t run from shit, and for the record, what I do is none of your business.”
“Everything about you is my business, babe.”
I flinch, the lash like a whip across my skin, ripping the flesh from my bones. “Don’t,” I whisper. I can’t do this with him. Not now. Not after everything that’s happened.
Bane takes another step closer, and I take one back. “Please don’t.” Shaking my head, I’m desperate for him to back off—for him to stop this madness. “Please.”
His eyes rake over my body, and he licks his lips. “You belong to me, Frankie.”
Rage like I’ve never felt before surges to the surface, and I throw my arms up in the air, fed up with this cat-and-mouse game. “What do you want from me?”
His eyes narrow, and that smirk I want to wipe off his stupid, handsome face appears. “Every-goddamn-thing.”
“I hate you,” I whisper as tears run down my face.
“No, baby, you don’t.” The mask slips as he lifts a hand, cupping the side of my face. “You love me, which is why this hurts so goddamn much.” He moves closer, pinning me against the wall. “And I love you. You have my whole fucking heart, Troublemaker.”
“I don’t want it.” I lie, unable to hold his stare.
Bane drops his face to the crook of my neck and inhales. “Fuck.”
I try with all my might to fight the pull between us, but it’s too strong. My eyes close, and I tilt my head the tiniest bit. Anything to have him closer, if only for a heartbeat.
And that’s when he makes his move. Before I even realize what’s happening, he spins me around and pulls my hands behind my back.
“What—what are you doing?” I shriek as the familiar feel of cold plastic is wrapped around my wrists.
“Taking you home where you belong,” he growls in my ear.
“I know you did not just do that,” I snarl, losing the battle to swallow down the anger that’s threatening to consume me.
“You gave me no choice, babe.”
“Are you out of your mind?” I shout, struggling against the restraints. “You can’t just?—”
My words are cut off as he stuffs a bandana in my mouth.
My eyes widen in disbelief. This motherfucker. I’m going to cut off his balls when I get free.
Tossing me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing, he grabs my purse from the floor and takes off down the stairs, my body jostling with every step.
“Mmphff!” I scream around the gag.
He smacks my ass hard, and I growl.
“I love that bad fucking attitude,” he chuckles, his hand squeezing my thigh.
