Page 13 of Leave Me (Touch of Death 2)
“I don’t know. That’s why I asked.”
His eyes pinch at the corners ever so slightly, the only sign of his annoyance. “I do not trust you.” That’s rich coming from him.
“Then why marry me? I’m sure you could find another girl.” If only.
His lips twitch. “Another girl would not carry the name Ricci.”
A lie. “I know my sister offered herself to you.”
His head tilts to the side, eyes sweeping the length of my body before they pause on my shoulder, where he knows his twisted brand mars my skin beneath the cotton of my dress. “She is not you.”
My fists clench, and I feel the sharp sting of nails slice into my palms. I force a small smile onto my lips. “So, what? You’re going to marry me and keep me locked up? I thought a man like you would want a wife, not a pet.” Lies, lies, lies. There’s nothing honorable or truly manly about him.
He rises to his feet and slowly approaches. Reaching out, he pinches a piece of my hair between his fingers. He inches closer until I can feel the heat of his body and smell the woodsy scent of his cologne. I hold my breath, expecting him to kiss me. His lips brush the corner of my mouth before skating across my cheek to my ear.
“Oh, but you’ll be both, principessa.” His palm lands on my waist and slides to the small of my back before moving lower and lower. He cups my ass and squeezes. “But for now, you’re just my pet.”
I feel instantly soiled, and for a second, I freeze. But then I remember my sister’s words. He wants to tame you. Enrique enjoys the fight. I trail my fingers down the length of his forearm before wrapping them around his wrist and yanking his hand away. “Careful, Bianchi. You haven’t put a ring on it yet.”
A grin splits his face before he winds his hand around the back of my neck, imprisoning me with his lips still at my ear. “I own you, Adelina. I will have every part of you before this is over: heart, mind, and body.”
Never. I shove away from him. “Well, letting me speak to my sister might help.”
“You act like a fugitive, and so you will be treated like one.” He lifts one arrogant brow. “Until I feel you can be trusted.”
That will be never; shit, I really need to speak to Gabi. She’ll be worried, no doubt gathering what few allies she has and getting ready to start a war.
“Because I ran? I told you; I had no choice,” I grit out.
A mocking smile dances over his lips. “Ah, but with the right motivation, you were able to walk right up to me.”
“Because you distracted them.”
“Do not take me for a fool, Miss Ricci.” He steps away.
“I just want to speak to my sister,” I blurt, sensing that he’s bored of our conversation already. “You don’t trust me. I don’t trust you. We have to start somewhere. We’re going to be married.” The words are like acid on my tongue, and I fight to get them past my throat.
“Act like a bride and I’ll treat you like one.” I want to kill him. “David!” he shouts, his eyes never wavering from mine. The door opens.
“Yes, sir?”
“Take Miss Ricci back to her room.”
He turns away and walks back to his desk. The scarred brute grabs my arm and tries to move me, but I snatch my arm away, glaring at him. My gaze shifts to Enrique, and our eyes lock for a moment.
“I will speak with Gabriella,” he says, dropping his gaze to his paperwork once more.
That’s the only response I get before David shoves out of the room, and the door slams.
3
Sasha
I watch her. Day and night. She lingers on the balcony most days, like a princess locked in a tower.
I could have taken her away from this. She chose his cage. Our encounter plays through my mind over and over, and yet, I still can’t fathom what happened. I want to throw her over my shoulder and drag her out of that house, but I know I can’t force her. Adelina is wild and rebellious; the more I push her, the more she pushes back. There’s no way to get her out of that house without her cooperation.
Sweat trickles down the back of my neck, and I swat at an insect buzzing around my head. I can feel my skin burning under the roasting-midday sun. The small bush that I’m lying under is sparse, offering very little shade, but I have few options. Bianchi’s villa sits two miles from its nearest neighbor. This sun-beaten hillside is the only vantage point within a mile radius. I adjust the sights on my binoculars and focus on the bedroom window once more. The exposed glass walls are like a viewing window to Adelina’s self-imposed confinement. She won’t take my help. There’s nothing more I can do. I should leave, but I can’t. I have to know that she’s okay because the moment he lays another hand on her, I will kill him, regardless of her wishes. Every time I close my eyes, I see his initials carved into her skin, and I’m living in a constant state of rage. At him and her. He may be the attacker, but she’s willingly making herself a victim, and I thought she was stronger than that.
