Arranged love

“Luca can’t save you.” He interrupts me. “I am the only person you contact if you need something.”

I snort, but he ignores it.

“You have a new identity. Name, license, social security card …” he gets up and grabs a box off the kitchen table and drops it on the coffee table. “Everything you need is in here-checking account, birth certificate, and credit card.”

“So …” I run a hand through my hair, trying to comprehend what the hell is going on. My head must still be foggy from the drugs. “You want me to walk away from Luca?”

“I want you to survive,” he states. “I didn’t pay ten million dollars for you to be kidnapped and die next week because you did something you weren’t supposed to do.”

I get to my feet, ignoring the way the room sways at the quick movement. “You don’t know me.” Giving him my back. I start to walk out of the room. “You don’t know …”

“I know your family was selling your body to the highest bidder,” he barks out.

I stop slowly, turning to face him to see that he’s now standing with his arms crossed over his chest. “Luca was the one who reached out to me.”

I shake my head. “I don’t believe you. He would have come and saved me himself.”

“You were being sold,” he growls through gritted teeth like he fucking cares. “He couldn’t buy you. He couldn’t send Nite to buy you. It had to be me. Someone you didn’t know. It had to feel real.” Walking over to me, I stay standing in place, letting him get close. He comes to a stop, and I blink, fresh tears running down my face.

“No,” I whisper, refusing to believe a damn word this stranger says to me.

It was real. The way he looked at me, spoke to me, and the way he manhandled me. Luca would have never allowed someone to treat me that way, not even a friend of his. This is a way for this man to manipulate me. Make me think I’m safe with him when he’s the real enemy. He’s probably best friends with Matteo, and they’ve set me up. Thinking I’ll see this as a sense of security, only for them to attack me when I let my guard down. That’s why he also mentioned Nite.

“Who do you think called me in the limo?” he asks. Reaching out, his knuckles run down my tear-streaked cheek, making me shiver. “I don’t care if you stay here or if you run the moment I walk out that door.” Sliding his hand into my hair, he grabs it and gently pulls my head back. Lowering his face to mine, he pauses just before his lips touch mine, and I hold my breath. His pretty blue eyes bore into my silvery-blue ones as he delivers the threat I was waiting on. “But if you leave this house, just be prepared to run for the rest of your life.”

BONES

I WASN’T PLANNING on waiting for her to wake up. I was going to leave the cash, credit card, and license along with the cell phone on the table with a note. But that didn’t seem like enough. First, I needed her to fear me, but now, I need her to fear her past.

She won’t survive on her own.

I ignore that, though. She’s never had the chance to be independent, but that doesn’t mean she can’t do it. It just means she needs a little help. I’m the only option for her.

“Will…will you be back?” she asks, stumbling over her words.

“No,” I say, letting go of her hair and running my hand through the long curls. “Not unless you need me.”

The way her eyes widen lets me know that my words catch her off guard, and I hate that my cock reacts to the way she responds. Like I’m the last person on earth she would call.

She steps back, and I allow my hand to fall from her. She licks her lips. “Where are we?”

“Malibu,” I answer.

She lets out a sigh of relief that she’s not in another country. As far as I know, she’s never been anywhere except for Las Vegas and Italy.

“Promise me,” I order.

Her eyes snap up to mine and narrow. “Promise you what?”

“That you won’t call anyone other than me.” I need to hear her say it. Or maybe I’m just biding my time not to leave her. Once I walk out of this house, she’s on her own, and I can’t protect her if I’m not here.

“I won’t call anyone but you,” she says, unable to look me in the eyes. A clear sign she’s lying.

Gripping her chin, I shove her head back, glaring down at her. “This isn’t a game.”

“I’m not …”

“Quit fucking lying to me,” I growl, cutting her off. “You will put others in danger.”

She yanks away and rubs her chin. “But you expect me to believe that you don’t mind putting yourself in danger?” She snorts. “Yeah, I highly doubt that. You’re like everyone else and don’t give a fuck about me.”

I fist my hands but don’t respond because the events that have led us to this moment would prove any argument I have to be a lie.

Crossing her arms over her chest, she pushes her hip out. The one that has the torn slit up her thigh, and I can see her hipbone. My eyes trace along the black lace thong that I know covers her pussy, and I run a hand down my face.

Leave, Bones.

My mind yells, but I can’t make my legs move. Once I walk out of my house, there will be no reason to return because I know this woman will never call me for anything. I should have fucking left before she woke up.

“Anything else?” she demands, glaring up at me.

Deciding that’s my sign to get the fuck out of here, I start to walk toward the front door. But before I can exit the living room, I come to a stop. Turning back to face her, I notice she stiffens when I look at her.

Knowing this will be my only chance, I walk back to her, and she takes a step back, but thankfully, the couch stops her retreat. “One more thing.” I come up to her, cup her face with both of my hands, holding her still, and her head falls back. Silvery-blue eyes the size of quarters stare up at me with mixed emotions-half terror and confusion. I lick my lips. Then I lower mine to hers.

She gasps, her lips parting on mine. I don’t force my tongue down her throat or shove her onto her back like I want. Instead, I keep my lips on hers, tasting the bourbon from the drugs I gave her. I let them linger for a few seconds, and when I pull away, I watch her eyes flutter open. She looks dazed, almost in a dream-like state. But I can’t ignore the way her body leans into mine as if she needs me to help hold her up.

I run my thumb over her lips, and I’m not even sure she’s breathing right now. Without another word, I turn and exit the house, leaving her behind like I was supposed to do all along.