“Given the bank notification that came through on my phone, I assume you found a dress.” He grabs a bottle of water and closes the refrigerator door.
But I barely pay attention to his words, because… “Is thatme?” I point to his shoulder.
He glances down even though he can only see a portion of the tattooed image. Avoiding my gaze he takes a swig of water before answering in a resolute tone. “Yes.”
That single statement has me reeling. “Why?” I croak.
Why on earth would he have my image permanently inked into his skin? That’s just… insanity. But there’s no mistaking the portrait for anyone else.
Leaning back against the counter, his tattooed, muscular chest a sinful sight, he smirks. His sea-green eyes light with desire.“You know why,cara mia.”
My jaw falls open. Do I? No, I don’t.
I don’t understand what he’s talking about, or why he’d do such a thing. All I know is I need to get as far away from this nearly naked, extremely dangerous man as quickly as possible. If I stand here any longer, I’m going to be tempted to lick the shower water from his sinful chest. Or worse.
Cheeks burning, I practically sprint to my bedroom.
Maximo chuckles, and calls out after me. “Running away doesn’t change anything.”
I close the door behind me with a heavy sigh. Nothing seems to rattle him. I can destroy his precious belongings, spend an obscene amount of his money in a single outing, and all he does is smirk.
He hasmy facetattooed on his flesh. By the looks of it, that tattoo isn’t new. When did he decide to permanently mark himself with my likeness?
More importantly, how long has he been planning to trap me into marrying him? Months?Years?
He’s obviously obsessed, and deranged. Which makes no sense whatsoever. He can have any woman he wants—except me. Is it the fact that I don’t want him that makes him so set on having me? Am I that tempting, forbidden fruit that once he has a taste he’ll be done with and move on to the next thing?
If we were to marry, would it only be a matter of time before he abandons me and moves on to greener pastures?
If that’s his intention then why tattoo an image of me on his body? Maybe he really is as obsessed with me as he claims. I mean, there were moments of sexual tension between us in Italy, but they were few and far between. I have a sneaking suspicion he saw a lot more of me than I ever did of him. Did he stalk me while I was under his protection?
CHAPTER 26
Elena
Three weeks fly by in a whirlwind of wedding plans, avoiding Maximo as much as possible now that I know how unhinged he is, and desperately messaging Mrs. Rizzo.
My non-wedding is in two days and I’m freaking out. Holed up in my room, I scroll through the text exchange.
Elena:
You promised to get me out. The wedding is next week!
Rizzo:
I’ll have details for you soon.
Elena:
If you sent the details, I didn’t get them.
Rizzo:
You must be patient.
Elena:
The wedding is this week. I held up my end of the bargain, now it’s your turn. Get me out of here.
