Page 11 of His Dark Desire

I smirk, Christ this woman hasn’t learned anything over the years. "And you're a bitch. That’s why your ass is here and I’m over a thousand miles away. I’d rather die than be near you. Then again, I’ll just make it easier and kill you.”

She lunges at me, her nails digging into my arm. I grab her wrists, twisting them behind her back. "I’m a bitch because this is what you’ve made me be," she hisses. "You are a bastard, Joe, you’ve made me into a fucking crazed bitch."

I chuckle darkly. "Whose fault was it that turned me to fucking other women?"

She wrenches out of my hold, her eyes flash with fire as she growls, "And who's fault was it that destroyed our marriage in the first place? Not mine!"

"Our marriage? That’s a fucking crock of bullshit if I ever heard one. You were always the same, Christina, you’ve never changed. Always wanted the money and power." Christ, this woman angers me like no other. "You have always been a bitch, Christina, you never gave a fuck about anyone but yourself. It's always been about you. Where's the woman your father promised me, eh? The woman that was going to stand at my side as I ruled, the one that would bear my children and love me endlessly?" That was the biggest load of crap I'd ever heard. Marrying Christina was something that was meant to help my power and alliances grow, it turns out I didn't need to be tied to her for that to happen. Now I'm saddled with a twisted bitter woman who thinks the world owes her something.

She snorts, her voice shaking with suppressed emotion. "That woman is long gone, Joe. But don't act surprised when you realize you were the one who killed her. You never gave me the chance to be that woman for you. The moment you saw me you hated me on sight. How the hell was I supposed to grow to love someone who looked at me with such hatred, that spoke to me so lowly?"

"It's all down to me, yeah?" I grunt. "Nothing is ever down to you. Tell you what, Christina, I'll sign the divorce papers for you, let you live your life the way you want to. Maybe being alone will have you realize that you're just as fucked up as I am and you're also to blame for this shit show of a marriage."

Her lips twist into a snarl and she stamps her foot, releasing a low growl before turning on her heel, the sound of the front door slamming brings a smile to my face. Fuck, that argument was long overdue.

"That was brutal," Lucas comments as he steps out of my office. "She's deluded, boss."

Since I've been working in Kentucky, Lucas has been the one that's taken over the reins here in Denver. He's done a great job, I'm proud of him and he deserves the recognition he has now.

"Always has been, but I'm done with her fucking bullshit."

It's time to get the divorce papers signed and end this fucked up marriage.

Lucas chuckles. "You'd save yourself a lot of time, money, and hassle if you just off her."

I shake my head, that thought has crossed my mind a fucking lot of times over the course of our marriage. "Unless she does something to my kid or grandkid, she stays alive." But she hurts them, and all bets are off.

My cell buzzes and I glance at the screen. Hazel. Christ, now that's something I have no fucking idea what to do about. Right now, I'm focusing on Denver. I'll figure out what to about Hazel when I get home.

CHAPTER 4

Hazel

TWO WEEKS LATER

"Good morning," I greet Joe as he enters the office. He's impeccably dressed, the navy pin-stripped suit he's wearing is tailored to fit him. He's gorgeous, so damn handsome and he knows it.

It's been two weeks since our kiss and I'm still so very confused. I have no idea what the hell is going on with him. I’m angry at myself, at him, at the entire situation. I kissed my boss, what the hell is wrong with me? I could have jeopardized everything and for what?

"Morning, Hazel, how are you today?"

He's still being civil, and I respect that, but Christ, he acts as though the kiss never happened and I hate that. What the hell? How is he so unnerved by it all? I guess this is why he's the Mafia boss. He's not affected by anything. Damn the man.

"I'm good, thanks," I reply, plastering on a smile.

He nods and continues to his office, not saying another word.

As I watch Joe disappear into his office, my mind races with so many thoughts. The memory of our kiss still lingers on my lips, a sweet torment that I can't escape. It’s all that I think about, all that I can taste. Joe Raineri has dug himself deep within me, I can’t let go. He evades my sleep and my every waking moment.

I try to focus on my work, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Joe. The man who exudes power and control in every move he makes, yet somehow, he lost control with me during our kiss, but just as quick as that control had lapsed, the stoic unaffected facade was back in place.

Was it all just a game to him?

As I'm about to pack up and head out for lunch, Joe's voice cuts through the silence of the office.

“Hazel,” he calls out, his tone urgent. I pause, my hand hovering over my keys.

“Yes?” I murmur, my gaze firmly on my keys.

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