Page 28 of Reaper’s Wrath

CHAPTER 17

ISA

Elio whisks us down a level and through a corridor, not stopping until he has us closed inside a bedroom. As with the rest of the ship, every surface is gleaming polished wood, supple leather, and only the highest quality materials.

I would be in awe of every inch if I hadn’t been dragged here by a man with a knife. And not any old knife. The curved blade Elio carries is pure malice. It has no other purpose than to kill.

If I harbored any doubts that Elio was the Reaper, they were put to rest seeing the ease with which he used that knife of his. It’s more of an extension of himself than a weapon he wields. He is the embodiment of vengeful wrath. I should be utterly terrified.

So why is it the first thing I do once we’re alone is to yank my hand free and glare at him?

Do I have a death wish?

I wouldn’t have thought so an hour ago, but maybe I need to reconsider.

“Why’d you bring me here?” I demand as if I have any power in this situation.

“Because this is the room you’ll be staying in.” He sheathes his knife and stares smugly at me.

“You know that’s not what I meant. Why did you take me from the church?”

“I’m pretty sure you came quite willingly.”

He’s baiting me, and I know it, but I can’t help but get riled. I take a small step forward and point an angry finger at him. “Only because you tricked me into thinking you were DiAngelo.” Toying with me. Seducing me. It’s no wonder I was having feelings I knew I shouldn’t have.

Something dark and violent flashes behind his eyes.

He doesn’t give in to it, but it’s enough to kick in my delinquent self-preservation instincts. I drop my hand and take a calming breath.

“Was this about preventing the alliance?” I ask evenly.

Elio seems to scoff as though darkly amused by something, then crosses his arms over his chest. “Of course, it was. Why else would I have you here?”

“What do you plan to do with me?”

His devilish gaze takes a leisurely stroll down my body. “I’m sure I can find some … use … for you.” When his eyes return to mine, the hunger staring back at me steals my breath. It’s as if he’s broadcasting a highlight reel of all the dirty, sinful things he wants to do to me. Image after image flashes through my mind, each more alluring than the next. None terrifying or repulsive like they should be.

To be used by him speaks to me on a visceral level in a way I never would have dreamed.

Who am I?

How is it I’ve gone my entire adult life without any interest in men, and suddenly, my hormones decide to wake up when presented with a murderous criminal? A stranger, for all intents and purposes. What is it about him that he was able to call to a side of me I didn’t know I had?

I don’t like it.

He manipulated me, and I don’t like how easily I succumbed. It’s as though he knew me better than I knew myself. That vile insinuation stirs my anger.

“They’ll hunt you down. Surely, you know that.”

“They can try,” he offers with a menacing smirk.

“They’ll find me, I know it. And not just my family. Mazzi Antonelli will come for me.” I say it with certainty because I know that idiot wanted this marriage more than anything in the world. He was practically giddy for the power it might grant him.

Again, Elio’s entire demeanor shifts from casual indifference to restrained violence. With two swift steps, he’s in my face, his fury raining down upon me.

“That’s a very high opinion you have of your fiancé. Is that why you were so eager to sell yourself to him?”

“I did not sell myself,” I hiss back at him.