Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70928 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70928 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
He clearly doesn’t give a shit about consent, which worries me greatly.
What if Christiano decides to take me, not giving me the option to say no? As time passes, he’s becoming more ruthless, and one day, he might not care about tearing the Cosa Nostra apart.
Don’t be stupid. Nothing is more important to him than the family. He’ll find the woman of his dreams, and he’ll get over his feelings for me.
With his other hand, he grips hold of my chin, and forcing my head to tilt back, he leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead. Just like every other time he’s taken liberties with me, his lips pause against my skin. I know he feels the tremble moving through me.
Yeah, you keep lying to yourself, Sienna. A man like him doesn’t know the meaning of giving up, and he’s made it very clear he wants you and no one else.
Christiano takes a deep breath of my scent, and it feels as if he’s savoring it. Eventually, his mouth drifts down my temple and cheek until he reaches my ear. “I’m sorry about Riccardo. How are you doing?”
Intense tingles rush over my body, and my heart begins to hammer against my ribs for a whole different reason. Even after all this time, the attraction I feel for him only continues to get stronger, which is a big worry.
The moment is way too intimate for me to handle. My hands shoot up, and pushing against his chest, I try to put some distance between us.
Thankfully, he lets go, and I’m able to take a couple of steps away from him.
My tongue feels heavy as my answer leaves my lips way too quickly. “I’m okay. You didn’t have to come over.”
Again, the corner of his mouth lifts, and tilting his head in a predatory way, he captures my eyes and holds them imprisoned for a very intense few seconds.
Anxiety spikes in my chest, making my breaths come faster.
“Will you be staying for dinner?” Dad asks, causing tension to coil in my stomach.
I don’t think I can handle an entire dinner with Christiano. Not tonight.
“I’d love to,” he replies, his tone loaded with all the power he holds as the head of the Cosa Nostra. His eyes never leave my face, and it gives me the impression he’s silently daring me to say something.
It’s seldom that I get angry, but he knows how I feel, and just because he’s agreed to stay for dinner doesn’t mean I have to hang around.
“I hope you all enjoy the evening,” I say, a forced, polite smile on my face. “I’ve already made plans with Raya.”
The lie comes easily, and only Mom sees through it, but luckily, she quickly schools her face. “Keep your phone on you in case we hear anything about Riccardo.”
“I will.”
Needing to get away from Christiano’s intense dominance, I leave the living room as fast as possible without running. As I grab my handbag, where it’s lying on the side table near the front door, I hear Christiano say, “I forgot. I have a meeting tonight. I’ll take a rain check on dinner.”
Shit. He better not stop me from going to Raya.
I head back to the living room, and smiling at my parents and Bianca, I dart through the sliding doors. As I walk down the path that leads to the garages and driveway, I hear his confident steps sounding up behind me.
Spotting my personal guard, I call out, “Alfio, I’m going to Raya’s.”
Before my guard can even think to react, Christiano orders, “Don’t bother, Alfio, I’ll take Sienna.”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I don’t even know if Raya is home.
Panic flares in my chest, and I swing around to face the most stubborn man on this damn planet. “I’m not going anywhere with you. Alfio will take me. Besides, I’ll need him for when I come home, unless you want me taking a cab.”
A dark chuckle slithers from Christiano like a poisonous snake, the chilling sound making goose bumps scatter over my skin.
He only stops when a mere inch separates us, and lowering his head, his ruthless gaze burns into mine. His tone is low and threatening as he says, “Stop pushing me, princess. Either you get into the SUV, or I’ll force you. The fifteen-minute drive won’t kill you.”
Even though fear coils around my muscles, tensing them, I somehow lift my chin higher and hiss, “I beg to differ.”
His already dark expression turns angry as he jerks his head toward his SUV.
Jesus.
Staring at the rage on his face, my heartbeat speeds up and my mouth grows dry. I haven’t seen the look before, which tells me whatever self-restraint Christiano has had up until now is gone.
Oh my God. He’s even more dangerous than I thought.
He’s unhinged.
Chapter 8
Christiano
As Nico takes us to Raya’s apartment, Sienna sits frozen beside me.