“You don’t understand–”
“Oh, I understand. Perfectly,” she cut in. “You think I’m some fragile little thing you fucked, dumped on the hospital stairs thendisappeared on me and now you want to protect. Why? You want me to hide while you play gangster games with your enemies. I’m not interrupting my life for something I didn’t ask to be involved in.”
“Gangster games?” I snorted an incredulous laugh. “He threatened your fucking life.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, patience waning.
“And you think I’ll be safer locked in your castle like some kept secret?” She stepped closer, chin tilted in unwavering defiance. “Not happening.”
I glared at her, and she fucking glared right back. My cock twitched, loving that sass. If I had time, I’d fuck her over that balcony rail right now.
“I have a party I need to attend and I’m going.”
Fuck, this woman’s vehemence was something else. I could’ve ordered her, could’ve tossed her over my shoulder and carried her out and locked the doors myself. But something in her gaze gave me pause, that steady, unshaken strength that drew me to her in the first place.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Fine. You stay, go to your damn party. But Gian and a couple of my men will shadow you and stay on the property when you return. If anyone so much as breathes near you, they’ll know.”
Her lips curved in that familiar smile. “So dramatic.”
“Living is dramatic enough,” I murmured, stepping closer, my hand brushing her jaw.
“If you care so much, why don’t you make it official. Marry me?” I didn’t miss the sarcasm.
My brow shot up, recalling Lorenzo’s earlier comments about love. I shoved it down, letting my arrogance take the reins. “I fucked you, little fox, nothing more, no need for sentimentality.”
Her smile morphed into a deadly scowl. “How are you such a cold-hearted beast. You fuck me, bathe me, feed me, even sendmy friends’ home and now this. Why act like you care? What gives you the right?—”
My glacial stare stalled her words, and I watched that plump lip disappear between her teeth, her watery eyes roving over my face, searching for answers to her questions.
“You know what, go to hell. Perhaps marrying a stranger is what’s best for me, not you,” she snapped, agitation sitting heavy on her tone.
I dropped my hands on her hips and jerked her roughly against me. Sliding one hand around her waist, I tightened the gap between us and cupped her chin with my other hand. “My name is Remo Rossi. I take, I kill, I dominate. I own any fucking thing I want. Only a handful will dare to say no to me, not because of choice, because I don’t give them one. If I like it, I fuck it. I don’t feel, I don’t love and I don’t commit, So, I don’t care whose fucking ring you put on your finger, but your body, your cunt and your fucking soul belongs to me. Allowing another man to touch you, is signing not just his but his entire fucking family’s death warrant. Can you live with that?”
“All I want is to finish my residency, marry a nice man someday who will love me with everything he has and build a family,” she yelled forcefully pushing out of my embrace. “But I’m stuck with a monster who won’t leave me alone.”
I stared at her blankly and fuck me if I knew the source of my next words. “Nice men finish last, little fox because by the time they get the girl, she’s been used, abused or fucked. Me, I can use, abuse and fuck you if I choose to but when I love you, you’ll be willing to die for me.”
Her mouth dropped open, her eyes wide. “Die for you? Do you even know what love is?”
I had no answer for her. “Keep your phone near you.” I turned away and let out a soft whistle. Duke came bounding out and stopped at my feet. I crouched, rubbing his head.“Watch her,” I whispered. “Anyone comes near, tear their throat out.” He gave an understanding growl. Wordlessly, I stood and entered the bedroom, still somewhat baffled by my words to her.
“Come here, boy,” I heard her soft call followed immediately by her laughter that did strange things to my insides. At least my pet had a way with her.
Downstairs, I found Gian by the living room window. “What’s happening, boss?”
“Arturo knows about her.”
“You think he’ll make a move?”
“If he’s smart, no. If he’s himself, yes. Either way, watch her every move. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
I turned to walk away, stopped and looked at him over my shoulder. “If anything happens to her, Gian, I’ll skin you the fuck alive.” His widened eyes was all the response I needed that he knew what she meant to me.
If only I knew what that was too. As I slid behind the wheel, I looked up at the empty terrace, aware Duke would kill to protect her. Strangely, so would I.
forty-nine
. . .
