Page 117 of Ruthless Oath

“My father would sacrifice me for power?”

“It won’t be a sacrifice if you embrace it.”

I closed my eyes and tried to process my options. They were slim. I would have to play nice with this lunatic if I wanted to get out of here. If I wanted to get back to Marchello.

“I’ll try,” I whispered as I swallowed back the vomit in my throat.

“I knew you’d see it my way.” He squeezed my hand hard enough to cause pain. “Of course, there is one deal-breaker.”

Sign me up!

“I was promised a virgin.”

Oh.

“I believed you were pure before you got into Accetti’s car that night and he took you as ahostage.” He laughed. “That’s what happened, right?”

I nodded.

“Your virginity better not have been compromised.” He trailed his fingers along my throat. “I won’t marry a whore.”

“So, if I’m not a virgin, you’ll let me go?”

“I didn’t say that.” His tone dripped with unspoken threats. “Your father promised you to me. That’s not going to change.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying if you aren’t what was promised, that will be a problem. I will have a doctor verify it, so don’t pretend you’re not a virgin to get out of marrying me. It won’t work.” He tightened his hold on my throat. “But if you did give yourself to Accetti, you’ll be very sorry.”

Things were more dire than I had anticipated. I had to get out of here before any doctor came to violate my privacy.

“If you’re not what I was promised, I’ll still use you.” He forced me to look in his eyes. “You’ll be a nice reward for my men.”

“No.” My stomach churned, but I inhaled through my nose, trying to keep calm. All I could smell was the vile tobacco on his breath and clothes.

“They would love to take turns fucking you night after night.” His demented gaze told me he wasn’t bluffing. He eyed my body. “Yes, I’ll have plenty of use for you. You’re even pretty enough to make me money in some…business transactions.”

“You’re sick.” I shoved him, got up, then ran into the hall.

He grabbed my shoulder and spun me to face him.

“You’re at a disadvantage.” He pushed me against the wall. “I’m bigger, stronger, and I have a gun.”

“I don’t care.” I rammed him with all of my strength. “Get away from me.”

When he came at me again, I swiped at his face, scratching his cheek and drawing blood.

“You bitch.”

“Just stay away from me.” The fear he had instilled in me was replaced with anger. How dare he think he could punish me for sleeping with another man. I didn’t belong to him. I never would.

He reached for my hair, wrenching it and dragging me back into the other room. I struggled against him, kicking him and clawing at his face.

“Settle down,” he shouted.

“Let go of me.” My palm connected with his face hard enough for it to sting my hand.

“That’s enough.” He held me still. “You’re not making this easy.”

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