Page 84 of Controlled

Gasping, I placed my hand across my heart. “Oh, my God. How horrible.”

He almost smiled as he walked from around the piano, taking very slow steps as if expecting I would run.

I had no intention of doing so.

“Not to him. Only he grew bored with forcing his kids to watch on the finish line. So when we reached a mature enough age, he forced us to participate. We became the hunters while he cheered from the side, but if the asshole my father hated came anywhere close to the finish line, one or all of us would be punished and I assure you, it makes the discipline you’ve received like kid’s play.” He took a deep breath, waiting to see if I’d scream or cry.

I was silent.

He needed to unburden himself and he knew I needed to hear the worst of what he’d done.

“Yes, he used a whip, my perfect dancer, as well as cattle prods and sticks, bags of oranges so no bruises would appear. But it was the mental torment of knowing he’d killed our mother that turned us into carbon copies of him. We became very good hunters, which is why when we’d finally had enough of his torture, we fought back in the only way we knew how. We forced him to be the prey. So, you see, my beautiful and very innocent girl, I am a true monster and you should stay far away from me.”

When he turned slightly, as if allowing me the chance to walk away, the understanding that whatever I did at this moment would seal my fate only weighed on my mind for a few seconds. In a move that was unexpected for both of us, I rushed to him, taking a few deep breaths as I gently brushed the tips of my fingers down his face.

“You’re not a monster, Creed. Just a man who deserved better as a boy, as you do now.”

I’d seen men soften from the touch of a woman, but nothing could adequately describe the change in him, the dark cloud fading away, a moment of pure light entering his system. And without any further hesitation, he hauled me into his arms, lifting me off my feet. His mouth ghosted over my hair and in those tender moments, I felt a surge of closeness that I’d always wanted but had never expected to find.

Maybe two broken souls could learn to heal together.

His words were soft, heartfelt, and exactly what I needed to hear.

“You’re my everything, my one true salvation.”

CHAPTER 25

Creed

Beauty.

Who was it that said it was in the eye of the beholder? In my mind, beauty encompassed various angles and emotions and could be found in something cold and hard like a sculpture as much as in a living, breathing human.

With Bella, it was as if I was seeing the world through her eyes for the very first time. After our combined admittance of the darkest secrets of our lives, it was as if a door had been opened, a light turned on that could never be extinguished. Now, she was laughing and happy, not like she’d just been captured by the worst kind of monster.

One with no remorse.

She’d managed to convince me to put on shorts and a polo before I’d grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses. I even used plastic glasses instead of fine crystal. Now I sat on a lounge chair positioned in front of the pool, watching as Bella kicked her feet in the water from the other side of the pool. I’d removed my keys from my pocket to sit more comfortably, kicking off my shoes, which was a rarity as well.

My mind was still working, the various pieces of everything going on weighing heavily. I continued to return to the fact my talented captive had more than just a target on her back. She had a price tag over her head. As the only living child of a ruthless man like Armand Marcello, she would be worth millions let alone a boost in a strategic position in the hierarchy of the New York Mafia world. I’d even sent out a subtle yet pointed threat to Nico Romano, more as a way of enticing him to rear his ugly head and show his cards so I knew what the fuck was going on.

With the release of the photographs of my sinful night with Bella in New York, the entire world knew by now I’d laid claim to her. It was only a matter of time before one or more of the parties interested in bringing Armand to his knees would surface.

And I would be ready to cut off his head.

Literally.

It would seem my brutal nature hadn’t been erased by her extreme goodness. I took a sip of my drink, trying to relax.

As she planted her palms behind her, tipping her head toward the waning sun, I was glad to see she was more relaxed. I took a sip of wine, almost ready to switch to something heavier. A scotch was calling my name, especially after the proclamation I’d made almost two hours before.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d allowed myself to relax, enjoying fresh air. Maybe the sweet Bella was a good influence in several areas. I chuckled softly as I took another sip, trying to learn how to enjoy the fruits of my labor.

She’d taken a fascination to the outdoor kitchen, touching every appliance and the stonework that I’d paid big bucks to have a local contractor create.

And never used.

Of course she’d noticed that not a single meal had been prepared on the grill or smoker, although the refrigerator was stocked with cold beverages, a liquor cabinet adding the adult portion of festive fun, as she’d called it. My staff made certain of it. I wondered how long some of the shit had been there.

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