Page 46 of The Boss

“No, I care about my dead brother lying in the morgue, and my parents who had to be told of their son’s murder over the phone. My cousins who worshipped the young man, considering him a leader. And my brothers who want nothing more than to seek bloody. Violent. Revenge.”

Her nose turned up, a slight hurt look forming in her eyes.

“And I care about you. Your pain. Your loss. Your future. Believe it or not.” I took another step closer.

She threw out her hand, her body already crushed against the bathroom counter.

Willow swallowed, keeping her arm in place. “If that’s really the truth, let me help you bring him in.”

Her unexpected statement hit me hard. “How would you manage to do that?”

I could tell her mind was processing, trying to think of a perfect opportunity. I did remind myself her thoughts could include escape.

“I’m not sure yet, but I am perfectly capable of playing a role, any role you need. Including being on your side. I’m strong. I have skills that you’ve yet to learn about. And I’m the most determined woman in the entire world. I want justice for my parents’ murder like you do for Leandro’s. Maybe Shane was inside the villa earlier. Did you think of that possibility?”

“Did you see anything that would lead you to believe that he was?”

Her sigh was a clear indication she wasn’t certain. “I didn’t look. Okay? But I can help. In fact, I might be the only person on this earth that can provide what you need.”

Very few people in this world surprised me. Only my brothers and my two top men had ever presented unusual, out of the box ideas. Maybe because most were terrified of what I would do or that I’d laugh at their suggestions. This woman, this somewhat innocent vixen could indeed be the only person to bring me what was required. How? I wasn’t certain yet.

But at least her recommendations kept me fully aroused. “I’ll think about it.”

“While you think about it,” she threw in my face, “do it elsewhere. I need my space.”

“As I just told you,peristeráki, I’m not finished yet.”

Her eyes opened wide and I was certain she was preparing to slap me. I lunged forward and she squealed, immediately trying to escape my clutches.

That wasn’t going to happen.

I pushed her hard against the bathroom wall, drinking in her sweet essence.

“Get off me, you beast,” she hissed.

The longing was more intense than before, the breathless wonderment of what we were doing escalating to something more explosive. I wrapped my hand around her throat, stretching her neck, sliding the tip of my thumb back and forth under her chin.

“Hands over your head, enchanted one.”

“What do you want?”

“You’re not in a position to ask questions. Do it.”

Her mouth twisted, accentuating her rosy lips but she slowly lifted them over her head. “Bastard.”

Using a single finger, I traced the edge of her jaw from one ear to the other. “From now on, you’ll obey my every command. Do you understand?”

Her smile was practically devilish.

I pinched her nipple, twisting it as I kept my eyes locked on hers. “Let’s try that again, sweet Willow. Do. You. Understand?”

“Yes.” The single word was nothing but another hiss.

As I showed her the tie, she wrinkled her perky little nose. “I’m going to teach you a lesson in surrender.”

“Never to you.”

“Only to me.” I wrapped the silk around her wrists, tying the very kind of knot my father had shown me how to do as a boy. While the material was slick, she wouldn’t be able to free herself.

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