Page 21 of Stolen Union

“Now that we’re married, I will.”

She makes a face over her shoulder at me. “I don’t believe you.”

“Get back in the van.”

“Is this how our marriage will be? You bossing me around?”

“Well, I did kidnap you, so I’m not sure we’re off to the best start. Why change things now?”

She rolls her eyes. “You’re so dramatic. I’m buying clothes.”

“With what money?”

“Yours.” She flips her hair before walking into the store. I have no choice but to follow.

Inside, I’m bombarded by color from all the clothes. I usually just buy black things, but it’s clear from the clothes Gabriella is looking at that she loves color.

“What do you think about this?” she asks, picking up a hot pink shirt.

“Why?”

“What do you mean ‘why?’”

“Why that color? It’s horrible.”

She huffs and sticks it back on the hanger. “You have no taste.”

“I would say you have no taste.”

“Now you’re just making me want it more.” She re-grabs the shirt.

A saleswoman walks over and asks if we need anything. Her eyes flick over Gabriella’s dress. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks,” she responds. “My hubby and I are out buying some clothes before our honeymoon. I ran out because he ripped them all up in his efforts to have me.”

The saleswoman flushes and looks stunned. “Oh … well … congratulations.” She hurriedly walks away.

I give Gabriella a look. “What was that for?”

“That was me having a bit of fun. Don’t you trust me now, Dante? I could have told that woman to call the police, and you’d be in big trouble.”

“No. All that would have done is force me to hurt that woman so she couldn’t call the police. You know that. You don’t want her blood on your hands.”

She looks me up and down before responding. “I don’t think you’re as bad as you make yourself out to be. I mean, what have you done? You kidnapped me. Sure, that’s horrible. But honestly, I kind of wanted it to happen. So, that’s not really kidnapping. Otherwise, you haven’t really done anything. You tried to kill Rocco, but you didn’t succeed. It was your father who wanted to be in charge. Not you. You can try to act all big and bad, Dante, but I’m not afraid of you. I didn’t tell that woman about you because I didn’t want to. Simple as that.” She looks down at the shirt in her hands and nods. “I’m definitely getting this.”

I follow her as she walks over to the next track of clothes. “I can be bad. I could drag you out of this store right now and have my way with you.”

“Then why don’t you?”

“Is that a challenge?”

“I just don’t believe you’ll actually do it.”

I grab her hand and tug her behind me as I walk into one of the changing rooms. I shut the door behind us before pressing Gabriella up against the wall.

“Dante,” she says in a surprised tone.

“I’m going to show you I’m not a man you can boss around. That I’m a man of my word. You want danger?”

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