Page 25 of Sacrifice

My head and heart hurt. The need to scream haunts me, but I can't even open my mouth. Numbness is like a cold body of water settling around me. What does he expect me to say? I stare at him, unable to process the stark reality that I was happy five minutes ago.

"I'm never going to be free, am I?" I thought my truce with him would grow, but I’m realizing I was wrong.

Vincent growls and pulls me to him. I close my eyes, too scared to look at him. "You want to be free?" He grips my face so harshly, I cry out in pain and look at him. "Go. You won't make it five minutes out there before you realize you aren't safe."

He laughs menacingly. "The families will hunt you down and kill you. But, sure, Aribella, go. Be free," malice permeates his words.

Chapter Eleven

I'm being cruel. Her resistance drives my anger to the point where I don't know how to control myself. Watching her shrink into herself kills me. Her fiery spirit is what calls to me, and I want more of it.

"On second thought, no. You aren't allowed to leave. I won't allow it."

Aribella is mine, damn it. If she thinks I'd let her go and not chase her down, she's sorely mistaken. Fuck, I hope she runs. The chase would be so sweet, and I'd get to show her just how much of a goddamn beast I can be. She spirals down a hole of despair and the regret eats at me.

Swallowing it down, I remind myself now isn't the time to regret anything. This woman has been mine secretly for a year and now that she's here, I'm unwilling to let her go. Aribella stands up and I make no move to bring her back to the couch.

"I..." her soft whisper is like a tidal wave of anguish hitting my body. Tears run down her face and she looks ill. Her blood pressure is probably too high.

"You need to calm down and rest,mi reina."

"You killed him and..." She sways and I move, pulling her to me. Fuck, I shouldn't have told her. Hell, I could have made up a story about him dying on a yacht or something similarly fitting.

Sighing, I gently rub her back. "Yes, I did. It was either kill him or have the other families come looking for you. I'm the lesser of two evils."

Her feet aren't moving, but I feel her body giving out. She's trying to faint on me and it makes me worry, but I'm in this for a pound. "If you run, you'll never be safe, Aribella. You'll be hunted down."

What she doesn't know is that I'll die before I let them have her. She needs to understand—I'm doing all of this for her. Even if it is selfish and I'm resorting to blackmail. Emotional warfare is my strong suit. Then again, I'm used to dealing with the scourge of the earth, not innocent’s.

Aribella sobs into my shoulder and I'm sick to my stomach knowing I'm the cause of this.

"I'd like to be alone for a bit." She trembles as she takes a step out of my arms.

Backing away, I let her leave. My home is wired so I can see every hall and room. Sending a text to Mossimo, I huff in annoyance.

Me: Family meeting in half an hour.

I hate when the bastards call a meeting, but that's what the phone call was earlier. Now isn't the best time to leave, but when they call I must go. Fuck, they are going to complain about every little thing happening, and it's exhausting.

My phone pings, and I look at it.

Mossimo: Now?

Looking at the camera feed, I see Mossimo turn towards my office. The door to the library opens and I smile. Of course,mi reinawould go there.

Me: Yes. Take the cat to the library. We leave in five.

I touch my phone as Aribella's face comes into view, and I think about how much she affects me. I'll let her have the library as a sanctuary—a refuge of sorts. For now, I won't barge in. Being with the families will be a distraction.

As Mossimo drops off Espresso, I get dressed. When he gets here, I've changed into a suit. "What?" I demand as I tie the final knot into my tie.

"You know, for a man who was so happy in the kitchen earlier, you look like someone has died."

"Fuck off."Goddamn him.He's the only person who can get away with talking to me like that.

Mossimo shakes his head and laughs as we walk out of the office. "You told her then."

As the garage door opens, I growl. 'Yes. I had to. There was no choice in the matter. The fact I fucked her before telling her was wrong."

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