Page 13 of Brutal Vows

Once I get what I need from her, I’ll be rid of her and that fucking brother of hers as well. Letting out a slow, deep breath, I stalk to the small bar cart in the corner and pour myself a glass of bourbon. This break serves two purposes. One, I need to collect my thoughts and figure out exactly what I am going to do with the slip of a girl I abducted and two, it puts her on edge, keep her wondering about what might happen next.

Breaking Gia won’t be an easy task. Her defiance isn’tan act of pride, but something deeper. Loyalty perhaps? Possibly even fear. Working my neck out to ease the tension resting there, I take a long sip of my drink before turning back to the girl. She still hasn’t moved from where I left her by the door. Her eyes are cast down at the floor and her shoulders are trembling slightly, but she isn’t crying.

Growling beneath my breath, I down the rest of my drink and make a final decision. It’s late—or early, depending on your perception, but either way, I won’t be getting anything out of her right now. Not until her body begins to recover from near starvation and hypothermia.

Setting down the glass, I stride toward my little deer. Her body flinches slightly when I reach out to her, but she doesn’t recoil.

“We’re going to take a shower and then we will eat,” I tell her. That catches her attention. Gia’s gaze sweeps over the room, landing on the gun I placed on the dresser when we first entered the room. Her eyes linger for a moment, before she takes a long, resigned breath.

Without warning her, I lift her into my arms bridal style. It still surprises me how light she is, even knowing full well she has barely had access to food.

“Why didn’t you leave me to die?”

I smile wryly as I step into the bathroom. “I can bring you back there if you want.” She swallows hard, her throat visibly working. Her jaw tightens when I set her on the floor in front of me, making sure to keep an arm wrapped around her in case she sways on her feet. Leaning forward, I press a few buttons on the outside of the shower stall until the water begins to flow from the showerheads.

While the water begins to heat, I bend down and deftly undo the handcuffs on her wrists, shooting her a warning glare in case she wants to get any ideas about running.

“Good girl,” I whisper to her as I bend down to remove her shoes and pants, tossing them aside carelessly. Next, I pull her shirt over her head, tossing that aside as well. Even with how thin she is—how malnourished, I can’t help but react to the beauty of her body.

Gia stands vulnerable before me, her body a canvas of curves, a masterpiece of smooth and creamy skin. Her breasts are round and full, like ripe fruit waiting to be plucked. Her hips have lost some of their curve from her lack of food, but there is still a gentle slope leading to the mound between her legs. Every inch of her is a work of art, a symphony of curves and valleys.

Her hair, a wild tangle of dark curls, cascades down her back like a river, is pleading for my hand to fist its silky texture as she is deep throating my cock. Sharp cheekbones meet a delicate jawline. Her lips are full and pink, begging to be sucked on and kissed. She’s a masterpiece. A body made for sex and submission.

Shaking off the lurid thoughts, I stand and begin stripping, my eyes latching on the beauty before me. She swallows hard enough I can see her throat bobbing. A flush creeps up her neck and into her cheeks. It’s beautiful.

But I won’t let her beauty derail me. I can’t. Gia Nardoni is nothing but a means to an end, and I have to remind myself of that. Once I find her brother, she’ll go back to that cabin where she belongs.

Eight

I feel hot.Is it hot in here?

He’s stripping. I am going to see Vitali De Luca, my kidnapper, naked.

I swallow hard, my eyes rounding as he begins to divest himself of his clothes. I glance away, my cheeks heating with embarrassment. I’ve never seen a man naked before.

“Wait,” I whisper, my eyes darting back to him. The dark glare he gives me silences me again. I’m not even sure what I would say. Instead, I simply watch.

With fluid grace, he sheds his clothing, discarding them without care as if they are mere obstacles in his path. My gaze involuntarily follows the movements of his hands, but I quickly avert my eyes, not wanting to seem as if I am somehow eager. Yet, every few seconds, I can’t help but steal glances at his form.

Vitali’s skin is a shimmering golden hue, chiseled and defined like a sculpture carved from stone. His heavily tattooed chest and arms bulge with muscles that speak of strength and power. It’s clear that this body is not just for show—it is a weapon, honed and perfected through years oftraining. Scattered across his skin are scars, each one telling a story of battles fought and survived. They serve as a reminder of the violence and danger that lurks in his world.

One piece of clothing after another hits the floor until he’s left in nothing but his boxers. My heart quickens in my chest, lungs burning for air as I stare into his eyes and nowhere else. I never gave much thought to my father’s rule on staying chaste. Hell, I’ve never even kissed a boy, and I am nearly twenty-five. I often thought it was because he wanted me to wait until I found love.

The truth of why he wanted me pure churns my stomach, causing dread to sink in my gut.

Something tells me that losing my virginity to this man will leave a mark that stays with me for eternity. It wouldn’t be anything like my governess described. Quick and forgettable. No, this man would take his time and devour every inch of me.

Why does the sound of that make the spot between my legs ache? It shouldn’t. If anything, I should be screaming the apartment down. Clawing his eyes out. Pitch some kind of fit. He kidnapped me. Stole me. Whipped me. That alone should send me running.

But it doesn’t and I’m not sure I want to delve into why.

“Why do you look away,piccola cerva?”

Little deer. It’s obvious from the way his lips tip into a smirk that he is aware of my disdain for the condescending nickname he’s bestowed on me. When I don’t respond, he chucks me under the chin, forcing my eyes to his.

“You’re naked,” I mutter, embarrassment at my naivety seeping through me.

“There is nothing to be ashamed of, Gia,” he tells me. “I am not much different from any other man.”

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