“Don’t give me attitude over something you don’t understand, flower,” Jagger cuts in, his voice cold as ice.
He calls this me giving him attitude. A fire ignites within me. “Fuck you,” I spit, my body so damn tense it feels like I’m going to erupt. “Tell me one thing, Jagger. That press conference out front of Ricky’s clinic with my brother. Did you set that shit up? Was that all part of your manipulation?”
His eyes flash with something deranged, and his mouth forms a thin line. “I did what I needed to do to get you to safety, and it fucking worked, so I don’t need you giving me shit over it now.”
I huff out a breath, my fists clenching at my side as I try to stop myself from lashing out, but it’s too late. I slap him right across the face. “You’re unbelievable. You set that shitshow up to scare me so I would beg for your help. You know how terrified I was, and you manipulated me when I was suffering enough already for your own greedy reasons.” My palm connects with his chest repeatedly. “What is wrong with you? Are you seriously that selfish that you used my fear against me to lock me away, unaware of the inheritance I was owed. You fucked me over to help a Moretti.”
Cruz grabs up my hands, holding them hostage behind my back. “Are you done? Maybe it’s time you listen to us.”
I pant like a crazy person, erratic energy racing through me. I want to hurt them like they hurt me. But it wouldn’t be enough because nothing will take away this terrible feeling now slithering under my skin. I trusted them against my better judgment. I thought they cared about me. “I’m so damn far from done. The marriage to Asher, that was all part of it, wasn’t it?”
“Do you want to run part of Moretti Media?” Cruz tilts his head, looking deranged. “You want a constant target on your back from all the corrupt pigs who control that world?”
I stare up at him. “I… I want the choice… I want to be told what’s going on in my life, not lied to and kept in the dark. Manipulated to help your allies and you three.”
Cruz’s face softens. “Not manipulated, protected. There is no way you were well enough to make decisions for yourself after such a terrible head injury. This wasn’t forever, Daisy, it was temporary.”
Jaggers face lowers, his eyes locking with mine in a way that makes me shiver. “Until we figured out a solution. Alex didn’t come to us. I went to him to ask for his help; that’s his world, and you were about to be forced into it with no clue what you were getting into.”
I stare back at the two of them. “I don’t believe anything that comes out of your mouths anymore.”
Jagger shrugs. “That’s your choice.”
“Yeah, it is.” I glance past him, looking for an escape, so done with this shit. When I left Italy, all I wanted was to find my independence and follow my dreams and dance. And I let that all slide because I got wrapped up in everything Stryker brothers. I’m more lost now than I was then.
Jagger’s hand laces with mine. “Dance with me,” he demands.
My eyes narrow. What is he on? Why would he think I want to dance with him right now? “No,” I snap back.
“It wasn’t a request.” He tugs me onto the dance floor with him, joining a sea of already moving bodies.
I shove against him. “I’m warning you, Jagger, if you keep pushing me like this, you’re not going to like the consequences.”
“That sounds like a threat, flower.”
My body shakes. “It is a threat, and I hope you hear it loud and clear. I’m done with this shit.”
He spins me then brings our bodies back together, closer than before. His hold on me is impossible to escape, the powerhe exudes a threat in its own right. I know exactly what he’s doing, but tonight, it’s not going to work. I’m done with all the bullshit. I need out.
My eyes narrow, and I glare right through him. “What if I made you a deal, one too good to refuse.”
“There is no deal to be made,” he mutters then spins me.
I come back face to face with him, my breath short. “I’ll hand over my share of Moretti Media Italy to you and your brothers if you set me free.” I don’t know where it comes from, because it’s not what I really want. Now that I know about this, I want to prove to my family what I’m capable of, but I can’t go on like this with the three of them.
He stops moving, and his hold on me tightens. “No fucking chance in hell.”
My angry eyes meet his as my heart beats out of my chest, not sure who I’m testing here more, him or me. But I need to know the truth, need to see it. “What? I’m giving you exactly what you want. A thirty percent share of Moretti Media Italy to add to your growing empire and run with your sister.”
“Not what I want.”
I blink back at him, fear coursing through me. “Why can’t you let me go off and live my life?”
His eyes meet mine, darker than ever. “If you think I would take you up on such a bullshit offer, you have no idea what I truly want.”
I want to burst into tears, but I think I’m too angry. “You’re fucking impossible. You can’t keep me hostage with you forever. The business is what you want, take it,” I growl out, sounding more like one of them than I ever thought I could.
He spins me, pressing his front to my back, his lips coming to my ear. “You’re what I want.” He spins me again so I’m back facing him. To anyone else this would look like the two of us having some fun, it could look romantic even. He takes my handand places it on his chest right over his beating heart. I stare up at him. He’s okay with me touching him? “I won’t let you go because I’m in love with you, Daisy.”
