Page 30 of His Stolen Princess

Apollonia

My head throbs. I swallow and try to remember what happened. It all floods back to me in waves. I killed a man. He got off lucky. His death was quick. Cato would have dragged it out for days, I’m sure.

“I know you’re awake, Apollonia.”

Shit. My stomach tightens as I slowly open my eyes. It takes a minute for my vision to adjust. I stare up at the painted ceiling where baby angels romp. How fitting.

“Sit up, or I’ll do it for you. You won’t like my way.”

I take a deep breath before bracing myself to sit up on the hardwood floor. Of course these bastards don’t even have enough respect to treat a woman right.

I notice Nico first, lounging on a sofa without a care in the world. So stupid. It doesn’t matter if I live or die. He’s a dead man walking. All of them are. Who is stupid enough to cross Cato? Well, besides me.

I turn my head to find a man staring at me from behind a giant desk. His dark eyes feel familiar, but I can’t place them.

“You grew up into a beauty. No wonder Cato wanted to keep you for himself. He wouldn’t only have a Simonetti but a pretty wife of his own. Lucky, since with arranged marriages you usually get what you get.”

“It wasn’t arranged.”

“Are you sure about that?” He picks up a cigar and lights it. The more I stare at him, the more I think I’ve seen him before. The dark eyes and hair. All of his features are hard like stone.

“He kidnapped me.” I lick my dry lips. How long have I been out?

“A lot of brides don’t come easily. You have to break them in.” He grins.

Disgusting. Cato would never do such a thing.

Nico glowers at me. “She‘s lying. She walked around that house like she owned it. Cato let her get away with anything.” If looks could kill, I’d be dead.

I wipe some dirt from off me. “You sound like a jealous girlfriend.”

Nico is on his feet in an instant. I scramble backward, trying to get away from him. Not that there’s anywhere to go. We’re in a giant office. It’s a lot like Cato’s but not as nicely decorated. Sort of dusty and rundown, to be honest.

Nico grabs the front of my cover up and yanks me up. He pulls his hand back. I kick my legs out and hit him right in the kneecap. He loses his balance and falls on his ass. I may have sealed my fate with that blow.

The man at the desk barks out a laugh. He’s clearly enjoying the show. Sick asshole. Nico reaches for me again. I close my eyes, ready to take the hit. There’s nothing I can do. If I fight right now, it will only be worse for me.

“Don’t hit her. If you break her jaw she can’t talk.”

I open my eyes to look up at Nico. He wants to hit me so bad he’s thinking about defying an order. He’s not just stupid. He’s extra stupid.

“Nico.” The man slams something down on the desk. Nico shoves me before stomping back over to the sofa like a child who got in trouble. I want to smile, but now is not the time.

“She’s got that Simonetti blood in her, that’s for sure. It's going to get you killed like all the rest of them,” the man at the desk taunts me.

I just stare at him. He’s not going to bait me into a fight. I’ll let Cato seek vengeance on my behalf. I just need to continue to be smart to protect Carter, to get whatever information from these assholes that I can so I know what they’re planning. Ultimately, Carter is what matters most. I would lay down my life for that little boy.

“Now where were we?” He smiles. It’s creepy as hell and sends a shiver up my spine. “Yes, Cato’s new plaything. Could you be pregnant?” He raises one eyebrow. My hand goes to my stomach. I’d never even thought of that when Cato and I were in the heat of the moment. I could only think about him pleasuring me, and maybe somewhere hidden inside me, I wanted a part of him? A child with my eyes and his face.

My eyes burn when I realize I may never see Cato again. Carter either. He’s already lost so much. I can’t leave them.

“Answer me,” he shouts.

“I don’t know.”

“Hmm. It would be too soon to know. But could you imagine Cato’s only born child being raised as a Lantino?”

“Lantino?” The man who ordered my parents murdered? My stomach turns, bile rising in my throat. Do not throw up.

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