Page 17 of Stolen Union

“And you’ll let Gabriella go?”

“Well … no. But I won’t hurt her. And that should be your main concern. You don’t want me hurting your precious sister, do you?”

“Go to fucking hell,” Rocco growls before hanging up.

I just laugh as I head back to the cabin.

When I open the door to the bedroom, I find Gabriella lying in bed, asleep, with nothing but her bra and panties on. Fuck, she looks delectable. I could lick every inch of her right up.

Soon, I remind myself.

It’s clear Gabriella doesn’t hate me as much as she pretends to. She’ll give herself over to me eventually. I just have to be patient.

After talking with Rocco, I know what I need to do. I need to marry Gabriella as soon as possible. It’s the best way to hurt Rocco to the core. I’ll literally be corrupting his precious, pure sister, and I’ll love every minute of it. Hell, I already love it.

Gabriella shifts and sleepily blinks her eyes open. She jerks back when she sees me but then smiles and stretches, showing off her body. “Like what you see?”

“You’re trying to pretend I don’t bother you, but I know I do. You can’t hide your reaction to me, Gabriella.”

She huffs. “I wasn’t hiding anything. I was just asleep one moment and awake the next, and there you are, watching me sleep like some creep. Excuse me for reacting.”

I lean against the door frame and cross my arms. “How come you’re not wearing your wedding dress?”

“I was getting tired of it. And you don’t get to tell me what to do. I didn’t want to wear it, so I’m not wearing it. Simple as that.”

“Fine. You can get married in what you’re wearing right now.”

She blinks. “Uh … what? I’m not marrying Antonio.”

“I never said it was Antonio you’re going to marry.”

She sits up straighter. “Wait. Us? We’re getting married? You and me? Me and you?”

“Say it however you want; it won’t change the fact this is happening. We’re getting married.”

“Why?”

“Why do you think?” I ask. “I want to own you completely.” I let my eyes linger on her body, and she flushes but doesn’t look away. I’m impressed. Gabriella has nerves of steel.

“At least let me change back into my wedding dress,” she says.

“Fine. If you can do it within the next few seconds. If you can’t, you’re wearing your bra and underwear to the ceremony.”

She jumps off the bed and quickly slips on her dress. The reality is I never would have paraded her around town in her bra and panties. It would have caused too much attention. Gabriella in her wedding dress is already an attention grabber. But if I walk around town with a girl in her underwear, the police might come knocking, and that’s the last thing I need right now.

“There,” she says, motioning toward her now-clothed body. “So, we’re doing this? We’re actually getting married?”

“Why, if I didn’t know any better, you sound like you’re actually looking forward to this.”

She quickly shakes her head. “Of course not. But it’s not like I have any other choice. So, let’s go.”

“You just don’t want to marry Antonio. I find it astounding you’d rather marry your kidnapper than that idiot.”

“I don’t want to marry you or Antonio. I’d prefer to be a free woman.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “But seeing as you’re not going to let me go, I might as well get used to my new life with you and marry you. That way, Rocco can’t force me to marry Antonio.”

“Love your reasoning,” I tease her. “Just keep convincing yourself. I know you want me just as much as I want you. It’s ok, Gabriella. You can admit it.” I take a step closer to her. “I won’t make fun of you for it.”

“I don’t want you, Dante. You’re delusional. I’m just out of options.”

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