Page 22 of Pure Vengeance

“Yes, you should have.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “Let me get a towel for you.”

As soon as my cock slips from her, I want to get back in. After I grab a towel from the bathroom and wet it, I sit beside her on the bed.

“I can do it.” She reaches for it, but I shove her hand away.

“I know you can, but you won’t.”

She falls back on the pillows.

“Are you always this controlling?” she huffs.

I glance up at her through hooded eyes.

“Yes.” It’s not my fault, not really. I’ve had the weight of my family sitting on my shoulders since I was barely legal enough to drink. If I don’t control every aspect of the life around me, how can I keep it all running?

“You ruined the nightgown you left for me.” She gestures to the soft blue puddle on the floor.

“That’s fine. I prefer you this way anyway.” I toss the towel away and help get her beneath the comforter.

“I’m not staying in the other room?” She pushes up to her elbows. Her hair is a tangled mess around her, and the brightness of her eyes pulls me into her energy.

“No.” I hit the lights on the way to my side of the bed and crawl in.

“Why?” She pulls the blanket tight around her body and inches to the edge of the bed.

I roll to my side, wrapping my arm around her, and drag her into me.

“Because.”

“Because why?”

“Because I said, now go to sleep.”

“I’m… here?”

I growl, squeeze her to me.

“Sleep,” I order.

She huffs, like she’s annoyed.

Well, me too, Claire Montecelli.

Me the fuck too.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Claire

My ballerina flats make no sound against the tiles as I stalk through the main floor of the house. From my explorations last night, I know where the living room is, the media room, and another living area. This place can fit three families in it, but from what I could tell it’s only Anton living here.

Any staff he has probably live in the back wing of the house.

As I make my way down the hallway toward the kitchen, a man walks toward me.

“Claire, Mr. DeMarci is in the dining room, he’s expecting you.” He gestures toward the room behind the large archway and a set of double doors.

I hesitate a moment. Breakfast with him or get into the kitchen for something on my own?

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