Page 11 of Stolen Union

“There really isn’t much else to see. I’ll bring you breakfast when it’s ready.”

“Dante, let me out now!”

“Fine.” I rip open the door, and she stumbles right into my arms. “Got you.”

She flushes and backs away from me. “That was a dirty trick. You opened the door before I was ready.”

“Was it? Well, it got you into my arms, so if it was a trick, it worked.”

“You’re horrible. Just let me go.”

“Now, why would I do that?” I ask, leaning against the door frame. “I like having you here. And I suspect you kind of like it yourself.”

“Why the hell would I like it?” She crosses her arms, which only makes me notice her breasts. She’s still a vision, even in her wrinkled wedding dress. “You kidnapped me.”

“As you keep saying, but I like to see it differently.”

“How can you see it differently? You kidnapped me. That’s what happened.”

“I prefer to see the situation as gaining leverage. I want to hurt your brother for how he’s hurt me. And you’re the key to doing that. I’m not your captor, Gabriella. It’s nothing personal. Now, you can join me for breakfast, but you have to promise to not run away again.”

“I promise,” she says too quickly.

“See, I don’t believe you.” I gently push her back into the room, shut the door on her shocked face, and lock it.

“Dante!” Immediately, she starts pounding on the door again.

“I can’t hear you,” I say in a sing-song voice.

“Dante!”

“You’re going to have to be louder.” I chuckle as I head into the kitchen and get to work on breakfast. Bacon and eggs. After I’ve eaten mine, I open the bedroom door to give Gabriella her food.

She stumbles back from the door as I hand her the plate. “Here.”

She looks down at the food with a frown on her face. “What is this?”

“Food. Breakfast,” I say slowly like she’s simple, which only makes her glare at me.

“I know it’s food. But do you honestly expect me to eat bacon?” She gingerly touches a piece. “I mean, seriously? It’s pure fat.”

“It’s pure goodness.”

“If you’re a man. But as a woman, I have to watch my figure. I can’t eat this. Are you trying to make me gain weight?”

“I’m trying to keep you from starving to death,” I say.

“And eggs, too? You’re trying to make me fat, I swear.”

“Eggs are good for you.”

She stares at me.

“Fine. If you don’t want the food, I’ll eat it.” I grab the plate from her and start munching on the bacon.

She shudders. “You’re disgusting.”

“What do you normally eat?”

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