Page 25 of Stolen Union

“Yes. We never had any proof he was the one who killed her, but Rocco was sure of it.”

“That’s why he killed him.”

“How do you know about that?”

“Gabriella, please. Everyone knows Rocco killed your father.”

I nod. It’s hard to keep secrets from Dante. “It was hard losing my mom. I was just a kid when it happened. My father wasn’t the easiest man to be around. Growing up in his household was … cold. I was invisible most of the time. And then, when Rocco killed him, Rocco took me in. I thought I was finally going to have the freedom I so desperately wanted. But instead, I traded one cage for another. Rocco is a lot nicer than our father ever was. But he’s so protective it’s stifling. So, yes, Dante. I’ve been through hardships. You’re not the only one.”

He keeps his gaze fixed on me, and it’s intense. “I lost my mother, too. It was a long time ago. My father raised me. We had a bond. And then Rocco killed him, and he’s been hunting me ever since. I haven’t known peace in years.”

“So, we have something in common, then. Rocco killed both of our fathers. And we’ve both lost our mothers. And you say you can’t trust me.”

His lips curl up into a small smile. “Just because we have things in common, Gabriella, doesn’t mean I trust you not to run.”

“I have a much bigger reason not to trust you,” I remind him.

“Oh, I know. Which is why I’m struggling to trust you. All you’ve ever wanted was freedom. You just told me yourself. I’m keeping you captive. How can you ever trust me? Why would you even want to be with me?”

“I married you, didn’t I?”

“You did. But I had to steal you away to do it.” He leans in closer, making my breath hitch. All I want is to feel his hands and lips on my body again. “Even though we’re married, I think we’re doomed to fail. You’re a nice prize in my efforts to hurt Rocco, but I’m not sure how you can be anything more.”

His words are like a slap to the face. I shouldn’t care what he says. All I should care about is finding a way to escape.

But I want him to like me. I want him to desire me. I want him … to be happy with me.

And I want to be happy with him.

None of it makes sense. I probably belong in a mental institution for how I feel. But something in my gut tells me Dante is the only person on this earth who can give me the freedom I’ve been looking for.

Now, I just need to make him see that.

CHAPTER 12

Dante

Iknow my words hurt Gabriella. I saw it all over her face. And I didn’t care. I told her the truth—she can only be a prize to me. I’ve wanted her for the past year, yes. I took her, and now she’s mine.

But the reality is Rocco will never stop hunting me, and I have no idea how to get him to stop.

Taking Gabriella was just a fun way for me to hurt Rocco, but now things have gone too far. We’re married. She’s officially mine, yet I have no claim to her. Gabriella isn’t really someone you can fully claim anyway.

How can I make her truly mine and survive Rocco?

Well, the only way is to make him aware of my power.

“Come with me,” I tell Gabriella as I get up from the kitchen table.

“Where are we going?”

“To talk to your brothers.”

There’s a flicker of hope on her face I hate. “This isn’t for you,” I tell her. “This is so Rocco knows how serious I am.”

I grab her arm, bring her back out to the van, and hand her the blindfold.

She pouts. “Again?”

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