Page 36 of Ruthless Oath

“How long will I be your guest?”

His mouth curved upward as he handed me the coffee mug. The brief smile softened his features.He’s cute.

“Considering it’s been over twelve hours and your father hasn’t contacted any of my associates, I’m going to predict this could take a while.”

“Maybe he’s formulating a plan.” Would my father leave me with Marchello?

“If my enemy had my brother, I would have negotiated his return already.” He sat next to me. “It makes me wonder if your father wants you back.”

“Of course he wants me back.” I bit into a piece of pineapple, and Marchello’s gaze went straight to my lips.

“Maybe.” He shrugged. “It’s just surprising that he hasn’t reached out.”

“My mother is probably worried sick.”

“I can have Milo get a message to her in a few days if you behave.”

“Behave?” I shook my head. “I appreciate the clothes, but if I’m going to stay here, I’ll need a computer and a phone. I’ll settle for a tablet, but a laptop is better.”

“This isn’t a fucking hotel. You’re not on vacation.”

“I can’t survive without them.”

“Even if you had those things, you might not survive being here.” He pointed to my food. “Eat.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Not at all, princess.”

I bit into my bagel and chewed as I stared at him.

“That’s better.”

“Why do you call me princess?” I sipped my orange juice. “You don’t mean it as a compliment.”

“You picked up on that, huh?”

“I think you’re barbaric, but I don’t call you a caveman.” At least, I hadn’t said it to his face.

“You can call me whatever you want. It won’t hurt my feelings.”

“That’s because you don’t have any feelings.”

“Sure I do.” He dipped a strawberry into the bowl of vanilla yogurt and brought it to my mouth. “I just know how to control them and not let them get me into trouble.”

I sucked the yogurt off the berry before sinking my teeth into the juicy fruit.

“You didn’t do a very good job of controlling your emotions last night when you took me as your hostage.”

He pushed the rest of the strawberry into my mouth, focusing on my lips.

“Taking you hostage will work to my advantage.” He licked the remnants of the strawberry juice from his thumb. “In more ways than one.”

“You also don’t do a very good job of containing your rage.” My throat still hurt from when he grabbed me last night, but here I was, getting all gushy over seeing his tongue. “You should see a therapist for that.”

“A man in my line of work can’t see a therapist.” He wiped his hands with a napkin. “Rage is a powerful emotion. One that I can control if I choose to, and trust me, you haven’t seen me at my worst.”

“I haven’t seen you at your best either.”

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