Page 10 of Stolen Union

“Couch it is.” When I walk over to it, he follows.

“Fine. I’ll give you the bedroom,” he says. “I promise I won’t try anything.”

“Oh, you promise, huh? Then it must be true.” I flop down onto the incredibly soft couch. “The couch is fine. You can’t assault me on the couch.” I pause. “Well … I mean, you could. But I’m hoping you won’t.”

“I have no desire to rape you, Gabriella. I’m just trying to make your brother suffer.”

“Well, good luck with that, then. I’m going to sleep.” I fluff the pillows and lie down.

“You can take the bed.”

“I’m good.”

“I insist. Take the bed, Gabriella,” he says through gritted teeth.

“Well, if you insist.” I get up and hurry to the bedroom. I’d be damned if I had to sleep on the couch. “But you’re taking the couch.”

“Fine, I’ll take the couch.” He watches me from the doorway as I sit on the bed. “Comfortable?”

“Very.”

“Great.” He shuts the door on me … and locks it.

I jump off the bed and run over to the door and try the knob. It won’t budge. “Hey! Dante! You can’t lock me in here.”

“I just did. Now, have a good night’s sleep, princess. You’re going to need it for tomorrow.”

“What’s tomorrow? Dante! Tell me!”

He doesn’t respond. I keep trying to open the door and yell at him but get no response. Not once. Eventually, my throat gets tired, so I decide to rest it. My body feels suddenly depleted of energy. I crash onto the bed.

Dante is playing games with me; that’s for sure. I need to remember he’s not a cute guy I can flirt with. He’s a bad man who kidnapped me to hurt my brother. I can’t let him get in my head.

That’s the last thought I have before sleep takes me under.

CHAPTER 4

Dante

Iignore Gabriella even as she pounds on the door for an entire hour because I can tell she’s used to attention. She’s used to getting what she wants. I want to mess with her a little bit, make her see I’m in charge. Even though I don’t intend to hurt her, I still want to put her in her place. She’s the sister of Rocco De Luca. She’s only ever been spoiled her entire life. I’m only going to choose to spoil her after we’re married.

After a long night’s sleep on the couch during which Gabriella haunted my thoughts, I get up for the day and plan. Rocco is looking for me and his sister right now. I have to make sure he doesn’t find us.

I walk outside where one of my hired men—Tom—is leaning against the cabin, keeping watch. “Tom, make sure the area is secure. Keep an eye on the end of the road.” There’s only one way to the cabin, and it needs to be defended.

“Got it,” he says before heading off.

I go back inside, and that’s when I hear it—Gabriella pounding on the door again.

“Dante! Let me out!”

“Get a good night's sleep, princess?” I ask through the door.

“Of course not. You kidnapped me.”

“It’s a soft bed, though. You can’t disagree with that.”

She’s quiet, and I know she knows I’m right. “That’s beside the point,” she says eventually. “You still kidnapped me, and now you have me locked in this room. Let me out!”

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