Page 94 of Controlled

“Well, you have a terrible way of showing it. You’re not warm and fuzzy, Creed. You’re a goddamn monster. I said it before and you’ve proven it. Do you think creating a place for artists makes up for what you’ve done, all the terrible things in your life? Do you think you’ll earn your place in heaven? I want so many things in my life and you’re not going to allow me to do any of them. Why not just toss me in a cage where I’ll spend the rest of my life?”

“I don’t plan on doing that. You will have a life.” Her challenge no longer made me angry. Her words made me think.

“Yeah, as what? Your submissive?” She was so exasperated, her entire body shaking from a combination of anger and fear.

What was I supposed to say to ease her pain? I had no clue.

Two minutes ticked by. Another two. I had no intention of leaving her alone.

“My father didn’t love my mother enough to stay with her.” Her words had no emotion.

“He was sent to prison.”

“I know. I saw the broadcast. He probably killed Jonas because his father was trying to bring him down again. It’s crazy.” She laughed, the sound as if she was slipping into disbelief about everything. How could I blame her?

“That remains to be seen. However, I think he loved your mother very much, which is why he kept tabs on you his entire life.”

“Mmm… What does it matter now? He certainly could have sent me a note. You should know if they allow that in prison. I’m sure you’ve spent time there.”

Her disdain was harsh, but at this point maybe deserved. “I understand your anger, perfect dancer, but you almost died today for a second time. Whether you want to believe this or not, you are a valuable commodity to at least a half dozen crime syndicates, all of which would vie to have you in their stable.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“It means that your hand in marriage to the son of one of the other families would ensure the kind of extreme power in New York and up and down the East Coast that would command full control. It’s my belief your father refused to allow that to happen, perhaps even hiring Gregor to keep an eye on you while allowing you to engage in the career you’d worked so hard to achieve. I think in his own way, your father was doing his best to protect you.”

“Well, he did a shitty job. I wonder if I have any siblings. Oh, joy if I do. They’ll just want me dead.”

“No one is going to hurt you. They’ll need to go through me if they want to try.”

“So you’re going to force me to marry you. That’s it. Isn’t it? Then you’ll be the most powerful man from here into fucking Canada. Right? Was everything you told me a lie?”

The bitter sound of her laughter did something to me I never thought would truly happen. It brought a kind of pain I wasn’t used to, a need that had nothing to do with owning her. I simply wanted the beautiful woman in my life. When I walked closer, she bristled.

“Nothing I told you was a lie, Bella. I think you know that somewhere inside of you. My initial intentions were not ones held by a decent man, but it wasn’t about gaining additional power. It was about allowing myself to feel something, anything other than anger and hatred. You brought that to my life. You brought the light to a darkened world that I was certain would soon spiral out of control. Marriage is a holy union, and I’m well aware I don’t deserve something so special. But I can tell you that if I ever wanted to enter into the lifelong contract, it would be with you.”

She snorted. “Why?”

“Because you’re the one.”

“The one what?”

Sighing, I knew she needed space and something she’d said had sparked a red flag within me. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.”

When she didn’t respond, I turned around to leave.

Wasn’t it ironic that my heart ached as if I’d fallen in love with her.

And no matter if I locked her in the cage she so believed I would do one day, she’d never feel the same.

Maybe that was the grave I’d dug for myself.

CHAPTER 28

Bella

Love.

How could I sense it in a man like him? It wasn’t possible. Was it? When I sensed Creed had turned to leave, I couldn’t help myself turning around to watch as he did. He was still wet from saving my life. He was disheveled and riddled with rage, determined to hunt and kill the people who’d done the terrible thing.

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