Page 36 of Dangerous Secrets

He scoffs and runs his hand through his hair. He takes a step towards me and I flinch, but he stops himself and takes a deep breath. "You were hired to kill me."

"But I didn't," I protest, forcing myself off the floor. My cheek stings where he smacked me and I rub the sore spot on my neck from his hand. It doesn't matter that he knows now. It can't change the outcome anyway. I blew my cover and confessed to Mickey's plans. I have to leave town or he will kill me now.

"But someone came after my brother."

"I swear it wasn't me, Rome. Matvey was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He just copped a stray from some douche bag. I swear it." I reach for him but he jerks away.

"You know Dominic will never accept that. You killed at least thirty of our men. You killed Dimitri right in front of me." His eyes flash with rage, fists curled into tight balls at his sides. I had no choice, and he doesn't see it.

"They would kill me, Rome. Or Soren or Tony...." I want to take it all back, to go back and undo everything, but I can't.

"So you killed Dimitri in front of me?"

"With a dart meant for you. I purposely missed..." My heart sinks. He'll never believe me.

Rome stares at me for a long moment, his eyes locked onto mine. I can see the conflict playing out behind them, the struggle between anger and the desire to believe me. Finally, he takes a deep breath and turns away from me, pacing back and forth across the room.

"I need some time to think," he says, his voice strained. "But we're not done here. You're going to have to answer for what you did."

I flinch at his words, knowing that he's right. I'll have to pay for what I've done, one way or another. But I can't help feeling a sense of relief that he's not going to kill me on the spot.

"I have to leave town, Rome. Mickey will come after me. It's not safe here, especially when my brothers learn I'm pregnant with your child." I bite my lip and he stops and turns to face me. It's no longer anger in his eye but a thirst. His shoulders square and his nostrils widen.

"No one will lay a hand on you."

"The will. They will come for me and kill me, just like I was supposed to kill you. I have to leave."

Rome moves toward me quickly, grabbing me by the elbows and pulling me against his body. It's a startling move but I'm not surprised. He has already claimed possession of me; how much more now that I am carrying his child?

"Then you'll work for me now. You join my family and I will protect you?" There is an intensity in his gaze I can't avoid.

"And your brothers?" I ask, feeling my shackles of fear start to loosen their grip.

"They do what I say. No one touches you..." I can feel his breath on my lips as he leans in, his eyes never leaving mine. My heart races as I realize what he's offering me. Protection, safety, and a chance to be with him. It's everything I've ever wanted, but I know it comes with a price.

"What do you want from me?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Rome's grip on my arms tightens as he pulls me even closer, his lips hovering over mine. "Everything," he says, his voice low and dangerous. "I want you to be mine, body and soul. I want you to bear my children, and I want you to obey me. Always."

I know what he means by obey. He wants me to be his loyal servant, to do whatever he asks of me. But I also know that I have no choice. If I want to survive, if I want my child to survive, I have to accept his offer.

"Okay," I say, my voice trembling with fear and excitement. Rome's eyes light up with a fierce intensity and he pulls me in for a deep kiss. His lips are rough and demanding as he claims me completely. I feel his hands exploring my body, possessive and hungry.

His strength surprises me as he lifts me and carries me toward the vanity. I squirm in his arms, suddenly feeling vulnerable and exposed. He sets me down on my feet, but only so he can untie my robe and pull it over my shoulders. It falls to the ground and he lowers himself onto the chair behind him, then presses his lips to my stomach.

"It's true?" he asks, touching my skin lightly just below my navel.

"Yes, it's true," I assure him, moving closer. He leans back in the chair and I straddle him, feeling all the weight of the past few weeks of torment melting away. The secret is out and nothing I've feared has been true, at least not about Rome. "God, Rome, I thought you'd hate me."

"Why would I hate you?" he asks, pulling my hips so my body sits snugly against his. My pussy aches for him. He kisses my chest softly, then finds a nipple and sucks it.

"Because of what I've done," I moan, closing my eyes.

"I don't care what you've done," he says, biting my nipple gently. A moan escapes my lips and I reach for him, eager for his touch. I arch my back into him and he growls against my tits. "You've been mine since the moment we met. Nothing will change that." He takes my wrists and pulls them over his shoulder, then leans back in his chair again.

Straddling his lap. I'm totally open to him and I know he can see all my secrets. "I'll never be anyone else's." It's all I want to be now, his.

Rome kneads one of my tits while he grips my hip with the other. I'm worked up now, emotionally and physically. I want him and I want this to cement our union. There are no more secrets. He was hunting me and didn't know it was me, and I was supposed to kill him but now we are one. Nothing can separate us now.

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