Page 49 of Ruthless Royalty

“We’re doing The Chase the way it was supposed to go,” I tell her, my eyes never leaving hers.

Her face hardens, anger flashing in those eyes I’ve come to know too well.

“Are you out of your fucking mind? You can’t just?—”

“I can, and I did,” I cut her off, stepping closer. “Last night wasn’t right. This is the way it’s supposed to be.”

She takes a step back, shaking her head like she’s trying to wrap her mind around the situation.

“This is bullshit, Giovanni. You can’t just drag me out here in the middle of the night?—”

“You love telling me what I can and can’t do. Did you forget who I am?” I interrupt again, a cold smile curling my lips. “And you’re going to run just like you were supposed to.”

She stares at me, her mouth opening and closing like she can’t quite find the words.

“You’re fucking insane,” she finally spits out, crossing her arms over her chest like she’s daring me to try something.

I just shrug, my eyes narrowing as I look at her. “Maybe. But you’re still going to run.”

“Like hell I am,” she snaps, standing her ground. I can see the defiance in her eyes, the same fire that drew me to her in the first place. But I’m not backing down either. Not this time.

I let out a slow breath, trying to keep my temper in check.

“You don’t have a choice, Chiara. Run, or I’ll make you … You don’t want me to make you.”

She doesn’t move, her eyes locked on mine, but I can see the doubt starting to creep in.

“You’re not serious,” she says, but there’s a waver in her voice now. “I’m not playing this game.”

“Oh, I’m dead fucking serious,” I reply, my voice dropping low. “You’ve got ten seconds, then I’m coming after you.”

She doesn’t move, doesn’t speak, just stares at me like she’s trying to figure out if I’ve completely lost my mind. But I see the moment she realizes I’m not bluffing, the moment the fear flashes in her eyes.

“Ten,” I start, my voice cold and measured as I stuff my hands into the pocket of my jeans. “Nine.”

She takes a step back, her eyes darting to the trees around us. I can see her mind racing, trying to figure out her nextmove.

“Eight. Seven.”

“Fuck you,” she spits, but she’s already turning, her body tense and ready to bolt.

“Six.”

“Giovanni, please?—”

“Five.”

She takes off, running as fast as she can into the darkness of the woods. I give her a few seconds, just enough to get a head start, before I start counting again.

“Four.”

The thrill of the chase is already starting to pulse through my veins, the adrenaline kicking in. This is what I wanted, what I needed. To do this right. To claim what’s mine.

“Three.”

I can hear her crashing through the underbrush, the sound of her footsteps fading as she gets deeper into the forest.

“Two.”

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