Page 6 of Captive Desire

Seeing as this is our third interaction, that is impossible.

The rush of cool air against my cheeks helps relax me. Makes it easy to forget about the heat creeping through my veins.

He respects my lack of a want for conversation. Giving me what space he can give in the small space of the car, we sit through this drive in mostly silence.

We leave Seattle. Once we’re on the highway, a concerning thought crosses my mind.

“You’re not planning on taking me to some wooded-type area, are you? I can’t help but think you plan on getting rid of this problem in the worst kind of way.” If the pregnancy is a problem in his eyes, then all of this is unnecessary. I never planned on trying to hunt him down. I was going to do all of this on my own.

He scoffs at my question. “I can promise you that I will never bring you pain. Hell, what I’m doing is the opposite.”

If only he knew.

Returning to silence, the car ride continues.

Knowing I’m going to need to tell Eloise something to keep her from being worried about me when I no call no show on my shift tomorrow, I pluck out my phone. Knowing well enough that I am going to be watched, I think hard about my message.

“I won’t stop you from telling her the truth,” he explains like he can read my mind. “However, I will not let you go. You are mine.”

I can’t call this man crazy. Not when I’m the one getting butterflies from the possessive tone of his voice.

“You talk like you are unstoppable,” I murmur as I try to make the goosebumps lifting across my skin go away.

“You would be surprised.” His chuckle makes the butterflies worse. “I am simply confident that I always get what I want.”

I do not doubt his confidence. Holding my breath, my fingers tap away in a text message. “I’m telling her I am taking a family emergency trip. Just now, this isn’t me accepting our situation. I fully intend on returning to my life in like a week.”

A week should be plenty of time for him to realize that he doesn’t suddenly want to be in my life now. Even if it is my pregnancy that is encouraging him to be this outrageous, he’ll realize that soon enough.

He doesn’t argue, but I know the fight isn’t over. The moment I mentioned leaving again, he’s not going to give me up easily. I just have to wait until he makes the realization by himself.

Eventually, we make it to our destination. After taking a long dirt path up to a set of iron gates, my interest is piqued as the driver talks to whoever is on the other side of the speaker box.

“Fancy,” I murmur under my breath. “Who are you?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.” Looking unamused, I don’t get any more of an answer after that as the car continues driving along the path.

Reaching the biggest house I’ve ever seen in my life, I have to pick my jaw up as the car comes to a final stop.

Every minute I’m with this man, the more confused I become. Who is he?

Romeo doesn’t give me any time to take in my surroundings. As soon as we’re out of the car, he’s fetching everything out of the trunk. Keeping close to my side, he urges me to follow as he drags my luggage about.

The men who roam outside of his home don’t pay me any attention. So many of them move about. Just outside, there are at least ten of them.

They’re as suspicious-looking as the owner of this home. With tattoos covering their arms down to their knuckles, everyone here has matching olive-colored skin. Almost like everyone is one big family, they all have dark hair and matching eyes.

Their similar appearance isn’t the only thing that catches my attention. Some of them carry around assault rifles. Others have smaller guns strapped to their hips.

Only now do I realize how deep I am. Romeo isn’t some random guy. He really is bad. What is he, some crime lord?

And here I thought this kind of setting only happened in books and movies.

Not wanting to imagine what will happen to me if I’m left behind, I keep up with his steps. Thankfully, he doesn’t walk in a rush. Maybe it’s because he hears how fast I run out of breath.

Forgive me, but I haven’t worked on my stamina for the last few months.

“Is this really your home?” Taking in the vast size, I understand how so many bodies move in and out. I’m having a hard time believing only one man can own this place otherwise.

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