Page 13 of The Taker

Even though this man is a murderer—someone who carves his victims and leaves them to die—I don’t flinch. The feeling of his skin on mine is pure heat. A warm feeling pools in my stomach and makes me squirm. I take a few steps back to put some distance between us, because I don’t want to feel this way around him.

I can’t.

He stalks toward me and rips my cheap button up open, smiling when the buttonspingas they hit the floor beneath us. I gasp as he pulls my shirt off and rips it in half, then throws the pieces at my feet. He’s breathing heavily, his face twisted in frustration.

“You will shower and throw your clothes away. I don’t want the remnants of someone else’s touch on your skin.” A heat flashes through his eyes as something dark and depraved settles there. It’s so malicious, I can feel it like a physical touch. “You’ll wash every inch of yourself, or I’ll do it for you. You have twenty minutes to meet me in the study down the hall, second door on the left.”

His words make my face heat as shame courses through me. I shouldn’t want him to follow me in. Or to feel his strong, tattooed hands on my body as he washes another man’s touch off me. I should be scared shitless of him, fighting tooth and nail to escape his penthouse.

But the molten heat I feel deep inside me isn’t fear…it’s arousal. I have no clue what’s wrong with me, or how I could be attracted to someone who’s a literal walking red flag.

My resolve is slipping away, and I don’t know how to rein it in again.

But I do know that if I want to make it out of here in one piece, I can’t let him have me. I have to stay strong, no matter what. I can’t afford to get wrapped up with a man like him. My sisters depend on me, and I’m the only person keeping them from living on the streets.

I can’t get caught in his trap, because Rocco Vettore is a monster. And nothing good comes from giving in to a man like him.

6

ROCCO

His eyes go wide at that threat, but instead of fighting me he shuffles toward the ensuite, his head hanging low. I know he won’t be this compliant forever. He’s only behaving because he’s in shock from watching his hook up bleed out in a dingy alleyway.

Good.

That fucker shouldn’t have touched what was mine in the first place.

Hopefully the warm water can wash away some of Leo’s shock and bring him back to baseline.

I need him to have the same fight he had when he walked out of the restaurant and never looked back. The same confidence as when he was moving on the dance floor with his little friend from work.

It’s no fun playing with a toy whose spirit is already broken.

While he cleans up, I go to my study to make a call.

“Giuseppe, do you have any updates?”

“None, sir. No one has left his apartment via the front doors or bedroom windows since he left. The men I have stationedoutside Leo’s apartment and building are on watch rotation until he returns.”

“Good. Let me know of any major changes.”

I’ve been keeping an eye on Leo’s apartment ever since he threw himself into my path. Mostly to keep track of his habits, routines, and his sisters. Leverage is truly just another word for knowledge—the more you know, the more control you have.

I want complete control over my toy. To own him, ruin him. Hold his life in my hands.

I sit at my desk and answer emails for a while. With two minutes to spare, Leo walks into the office and stands in front of my desk, eyes downcast as he waits for me to speak. He may have an inner strength, but his natural submissiveness is impressive.

I leave him waiting there until I finish my response, then close my laptop. Leaning back into my chair, I scan him from top to bottom. His hair is towel dried, already curling up. He’s wearing the plain white tee shirt, boxer briefs, and socks I left on the bed for him.

His arms are crossed over his chest, as if he’s caving in on himself.

“Leo, do you know why you’re here?” I ask. His gaze snaps to mine, and although his body language says otherwise, there’s a defiant fire in his eyes—a spark for now, but sure to grow.

“Because you’re insane? A murderer? Someone deranged enough to get me fired from my job and evicted from my apartment?” His eyes are blazing now, and I can’t help but to throw gasoline on the fire.

“Yeah, finding an apartment is going to be tough…” I flippantly commiserate. His nostrils flair and he squares his shoulders.Oof, that hit a nerve.“One of the perks of the job I offered you is a shiny, newly renovated apartment in this building. And a good paycheck.”

“I don’t want your job. I want you to leave me alone and for my life to go back to normal!” He shouts, on the verge of tears again, his face all blotchy and red. “You can’t do this to me! It’s against the law.”

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