Page 75 of A Beautiful Crime

The sharp inhale of breath wasn’t one of aversion.

She was enticed.

A woman who battles with morality yet wants to divulge in sin.

And I won’t deny her.

I had meant what I said. Every word.

But she needs to admit who she is. She needs to give in to her darker side, without the weight of her conscience, if she is to see this through.

Otherwise it will only destroy her.

And that is something I will not allow to happen.

I will protect Carina from everyone, including herself.

“Is that what you want?” I ask her.

Her fingers tighten in mine. It’s as if she’s trying to anchor herself to the light she still holds. Doesn’t she know she’s grasping on to the Devil? The man of sin and temptation?

With my free hand I pinch her chin between my fingers lightly. “You have to know, Carina. And once you do, once you allow yourself to live with the darkness inside you I will gladly step to the side so you can end all the suffering and pain.”

“I’ve never met a man like you before,” she admits in wonder. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to understand you.”

I release her chin to tap her nose with the pad of my finger. “And that’s your problem.”

“What is?”

“I’m not a complicated man, Carina.”

“You’re a conundrum. One, for the life of me, I can’t figure out.”

“You’re making it complicated because you refuse to see it for yourself,” I tell her.

“See what?” She demands.

“You know what, mia leonessa. Portraying densely doesn’t suit you.” I throw the words she used upon me back at her. Her eyes flash and she hastily removes herself from me.

Her tone is back to monotonous as she responds, “I don’t need any assistance. I would like to rest now.”

I nod my head, smirk in place. I really do think now I’ve pushed enough of her buttons today. I may be cruel, but I’m not that cruel. Never to her.

Before I leave and shut the door I turn back to her. I find that her eyes have never left me. “Carina, from now on you’ll have dinner with me every night at seven sharp. Don’t be late.” And I leave with the image of pursed lips and fiery eyes.

Bringing her back to life will be most fun indeed.

CHAPTER 14

Carina

Iwish I could say that I didn’t get an ounce of shut eye. But as soon as my head hit the satin pillowcase I was out like a light. My slumber was deep. And it pains me to admit, but it was the most peaceful night of sleep I have had in over ten years.

It has me questioning, how does one sleep peacefully when the Devil’s chambers are around the corner?

And there’s a small voice inside my head, the one I don’t wish to be true, that says Constantine Donati may be the Devil to everyone else, but he isn’t the Devil to me.

The most damning part of it all, I find myself hoping it to be true.

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