Page 43 of Koroleva

"What?" I asked, shedding the clothes I had used.

We were in an industrial warehouse owned by the Capulets. The cell was underground, located behind a camouflaged trap door.

Aleksa stayed with Wang, giving Romeo and me time for him to make a call and for me to change into attire much more suitable for going sailing.

"You've left me speechless, that's all."

"Because you didn't think I was capable of torturing her?"

"Because you did it with overwhelming precision!"

"Is that a compliment?" My husband was leaning against a cement pillar. With his feet crossed and hands in his pockets, he struck a carefree pose that added to his allure.

I stayed in my yellow curtain bikini and watched him survey every inch of my skin with satisfaction. I liked to be liked, there was no denying it. Whether it was Romeo or anyone else.

I slowly slipped on a long, lightweight dress printed with a leopard pattern to match my wedge sandals. Romeo let out a sigh before answering my question.

"It is." Deep down, I was glad he recognized it.

"What have your men said about the information?" My husband frowned.

"They were right there, so it wasn't hard for them to come by. Wang was right. I still can't believe they stored the merchandise in one of our warehouses instead of taking it away quickly."

I put the clothes I took off into the bag and walked over to him.

"To me, it seems like a brilliant plan. The best hiding places are right under your nose. How were you supposed to think that the drugs were still in your possession? That woman is brilliant, though she doesn't have much resistance to pain."

"Is that why you offered her protection and a position in your organization?"

"Dear, you have to recognize talent, especially if it belongs to the enemy."

"She might betray you," he asserted, watching me approach him. He didn't move a muscle as I dropped the bag at his feet, drew close to his body, and grabbed him by the nape.

"Anyone might want to, but that's different from being able to, or from me wanting them to." I ran my fingers through his short hair. "I take very good care of what's mine, so that no one ever wants to leave once they're by my side." R remained still, letting himself be caressed like a feline confronted by a female who matched his measure.

"I also take care of what's mine." His pupils dilated as he eyed my mouth.

"One would hardly know it..." I provoked him. "How is Irene? Did you visit her this morning before you wished me good morning?"

I found myself quickly in the place he had been occupying, with his body pressing against mine and his eyes ruthlessly ravaging me. Mmm, a punishing lay. My mouth watered.

His beard brushed against the skin of my neck as he leaned close to my ear. "She is also mine and she is fine," he growled roughly.

His response irked me, not because I loved Romeo—I was attracted to his physique, but it was quite another thing to actually care for him. It offended me that he valued me in the same way he did his mistress, perhaps even less. Nor did I relish being considered his property, as his "she is also mine" seemed to imply.

"Darling, I am not yours. I'm only married to you."

"It's the same thing."

"No, it's not. You're mistaken. I will never belong to anyone but myself."

I slipped under his arm, and heard him mutter, "I wouldn't be so sure if I were you. You're going to wish with all your soul to be mine, even if you resist."

His challenge elicited a smile from me that he didn't see.

"Walk, Romeo, let's not keep the family waiting."

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