Page 43 of About Love and Revenge

“Yes, she is, but she's also a woman who has the right to choose who she wants to be with and I will not have her dominated by two sick people.”

“One of those bastards being her own father.”

I think of my mother. “We don't choose our parents.”

“I'm going to trust that you know what you're doing, keeping part of the enemy that close to you."

I don't answer him due to the simple fact that I don't need to. I will never explain my life to anyone.

“So once Ciro is back on the island, you'll go to Greece?”

“Yes, and you'll make sure that nothing happens to Elina. Take care of her as if you were taking care of me.”

“Have you assigned men for this yet?”

“Some, before I even knew I would have to travel so soon. She's not used to a city like New York, but despite not knowing anything, she's a bit of a rebel.”

I think of her fighting spirit. I love the way she isn't afraid of me when most people, whatever their gender, shiver under my gaze.

“Your relationship is none of my business, but even so, my conscience tells me to warn you: watch out, Odin. Women can be cunning.”

I think of my mother again.

“I know.”

Later that night

“You look beautiful.”

The black silk dress molds to her sensual body, and it only takes a quick glance for me to see that she isn't wearing a bra. It doesn’t take long for my imagination to return to our conversation last night. She ran away and I allowed it.

Despite being vocal during sex, I've never had sex over the phone; yesterday, however, when she said she was only wearing lingerie, I was one step away from trying.

I could have insisted, but I decided to stop.

I don't want to scare her away. If what she said is true—that she's still a virgin—it wouldn't be a fair game to rush her. I prefer to let her know what will happen next, not to make her feel trapped.

“I got it right, then?” She looks down at her body, but I focus on her face, trying to guess whether she's serious or trying to seduce me. However, when she lifts it up again, I see an uncertain smile.

Does she have doubts about her appearance?

I take a step forward and grab her by the back of her head. I benddown and speak into her ear: “Delicious. Today, I'm pretty sure there isn't a bra matching the panties.”

I hope she backs off. In fact, I almost root for it, because I need one of us to be rational. I meant it when I said we were going out for dinner and business, but she has the power to throw my famous logical thinking down the drain.

“Maybe there aren't even any panties,” she replies, almost giving me a heart attack.

Before I can think about my next step, my naughty blonde walks past me towards the elevator.

Odin

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

After her suddenburst of courage, she says nothing on the way to the restaurant, preferring to look out of the window rather than face me.

The air between us vibrates like the strings of a guitar.

My urge to touch some part of her, any part, is almost painful.

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