Page 163 of Valentino

Huh?

“I said hello…” I call from behind him, he doesn’t reply so I follow him in.

Without saying a word to me he walks down the hallway.

“What are you doing?” I call after him. “You’re not even going to say hello?”

“Hello, Anna,” he calls. “This way.”

I follow him down the hall into my bedroom

He steps forward, bringing our faces only millimeters apart, his eyes hold mine but something’s different.

There’s an edge to him, a darker energy swirling beneath the surface that I’ve never felt from him before. For the first time ever since we met, a frisson of fear runs through me.

“Valentino?”

“Yes, Anna,” he whispers, but it isn’t a whisper, it’s somewhat of a sneer.

My heart speeds up as he lifts his hand to my face, in slow motion he traces his finger down my face before putting his mouth to my ear.

“Bad girls need to be punished.” He puts his hand around my throat. “You have been a very bad girl.”

“What are you…?” I jerk out of his grip. “Watch your tone with me, Valentino,” I snap; goose bumps scatter up my arms. “I don’t like the way you’re making me feel.” The fact that fear is arousing me is not okay.

The fuck is wrong with me….

He gives me a slow sexy smile as he traces his finger over the goose bumps up my arm. “Anna, baby…your lies are becoming iconic.” He leans in and nips my earlobe, more goose bumps scatter. “Luckily I don’t believe any of them.”

Okay…. He is angry.

Does he know about the SIM card? Do I fess up or is that going to set him off even more?

Shit.

I pull out of his grip and step back from him. “I don’t know what’s going on with you, but stop it.”

“Or what?” he mouths as he steps toward me again.

“Or I’m fucking leaving,” I snap. “I am not staying here with you while you’re acting like a psychopath.”

“Ah.” He nods, clearly amused. “So if you don’t want to live with this psychopath, which psychopath do you want to live with, Anna?”

My eyes search his, does he know, has Carlo done something?

“What’s wrong with you?” I ask. “Did something happen today?” I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket as a call comes through.

“I don’t know, did it?” His eyebrow rises.

“Stop answering my questions with a question.” I put my hands onto my hips.

“Is it a question or an answer?”

Ugh, he’s being so condescending.

“I don’t know what you’re trying to prove here, Val, but I’m on your side, so you can cut the crap and tell me what’s going on.”

“Nothing is going on, Anna.” He smiles sweetly, but it’s not a real smile, it’s completely rehearsed.