Page 14 of Stolen Union

“Because you’re going to cause trouble.”

I bat my eye lashes. “I don’t cause trouble. I never cause trouble.” I sit down at the table, making sure I look cute, which is kind of hard because I’m still wearing my wedding dress.

“Something tells me that’s not true.” He sits across from me, staring at me with those dark eyes.

“It is true. I’m a good girl.”

“I don’t doubt that. But I think the only reason you’ve been ‘good’”—he uses air quotes—“is because Rocco held you under lock and key for all these years. Now you’re free to do what you want? So, what are you going to do about it?’

“I’m not free. I’m your literal captive.”

He shrugs. “Sure. You are. But just until I get my punishment on Rocco. Then I’ll let you go.”

My heart beats faster. “Really? Just like that? You’ll let me go?”

“Once Rocco has been properly punished, yes. I want him to suffer knowing I have you.”

“But you’re not hurting me. Rocco won’t truly suffer unless you hurt me.”

Leaning in closer, he lowers his voice as he says, “Are you saying you want me to hurt you?”

“No,” I whisper.

“Are you sure? You sound unsure, Gabriella.”

“I’m sure I don’t want you to hurt me. But I’m just saying Rocco won’t feel truly upset unless he knows you’re hurting me. Otherwise, he’ll just be determined to find me and won’t suffer at all.”

“Then I guess I need to make you suffer.”

“No.”

He raises his eyebrow. “No?”

“No. Because I don’t think you want to hurt me. If you wanted to, you would have done it already.”

He’s silent for a moment. I struck a nerve. Dante wants to hurt Rocco without hurting me, but the only way to hurt Rocco is to hurt me.

Dante stands up. “Lay over the table.”

“Why?” My heart is pounding now.

“Because this is what happens when you try to mess with me.” He grabs me and pushes me over the table, and before I can react, he spanks me.

Literally spanks me like I’m a child.

I gasp. “How dare you! How dare you!”

He doesn’t listen to me as he spanks me harder and harder. “Will this teach you a lesson, Gabriella? Will this make you realize I’m serious?”

I scratch at the table, trying to get away, but it’s no use. Dante is much stronger than me.

“Answer me!” he shouts, startling me.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “You’re in charge. I’m sorry.”

He stops and backs away from me, breathing heavily. “I’ll let your brothers know I’m not afraid to hurt you. And now you know it, too.”

Except … I don’t believe him.

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