Page 15 of Tainted Ties

Suddenly, he stood from his seat, the chair scraping against the tile floor in a deafening screech. “Your father has made a trade. His daughter in exchange for his fortune.” Inhaling deeply, he sighed in feigned wonder. “It’s quite poetic if you ask me. He offeredyoumany times over the years, but the timing wasn’t right.”

I almost thought I heard him wrong, but power dripped from his voice, loud and clear.

He recognized me.

The room spun as I blinked away the sudden lightheadedness. My father had offered me up as if I wasn’t a human being,hisflesh and blood.

Enzo stood from his seat, stepping closer to me in a protective stance. “Those weren’t the terms we agreed upon.”

Inevitability, fright tumbled into me, freezing me in place like a statue,lifeless.

It was my worst nightmare, except this time, I couldn’t wake up.

“Your father and I agreed on other terms.Myterms.” Roman threw a wad of papers on the transparent table, where it scattered before me. “The man was pathetically desperate to gain his belongings that he didn’t even read through the contract before signing.” He shrugged a shoulder. “Either that or he didn’t care to tell you. However, I can understand his conflict. It seems that you have a sweet spot for your sister.”

Survival instinct surged me forward on my feet.

I made it to the bottom of the stairs when a calloused hand wrapped around my elbow, pulling me back with a force that had me grunting in pain.

A bite of electricity shot up my arm from where flesh touched mine.

I glanced between Roman’s face and his hand that dared to touch me. Now, I was furious. “Get your hands off me.”

He took a step toward me, invading my space with his suffocating presence.

We were mere inches apart and it all felt too familiar. His aroma beckoned me to come closer and yet run far away.

“Sit down,anima mia,” he commanded in a low growl, using a nickname that sounded more threatening than loving.

If I couldn’t escape now, then I would be trapped in the same past I had worked so hard to escape.

He might be used to having everyone surrender to him within seconds, but I wasn’t just anyone, let alone one of his puppets.

I steeled my spine. “I’d rather not,” I spat out. Within seconds, the hand that held my arm snaked around my throat before he slammed me against the wall.

The unexpected impact knocked the breath out of me, forcing me to gasp for air.

“Enzo, don’t move, or my men will shoot you dead on the spot and we all know you don’t want that. Besides, I would hate for this contract to be void so soon.”

We were outnumbered.

Oxygen ceased to exist altogether when Roman leaned in, his lips brushing my ear, causing my skin to prickle with nerves. “Little do you know, your rebelliousness turns me on,” he whispered to my ears only.

I knew the traitorous blush had crept along my skin when his eyes scanned my chest all the way up to my face.

A bead of sweat formed above my brow from his scurrility, and I clamped down the urge to wipe it off. I had gotten this far without showing any weakness and I would not start now.

My act of self-determination had gone to waste when he nodded to himself, certain he would get his way.

I turned my face away from him, wanting him to get off me.

He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him again, and without breaking eye contact, he said, “Enzo, when Aurora satisfies me by being a good little wife, I will see to it that your assets are yours again. Until then, tell your father not to sweat it.”

My mind spun, unable to comprehend the words that leaked from his mouth.

Obsidian eyes searched mine. “After all, you were the one who killed my kin, though your family bore the brunt of it when I took everything from them. Seems fair that you also suffer, yes?”

Dread flooded my senses, drowning out all other emotions.

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