Page 80 of Beautiful Revenge

“I knew there was a darkness in you, princess. I like it.”

“Just because I want to see the man who tortured me killed, doesn’t mean I approve of you killing innocent people. I’m not about to become a hitwoman myself.”

“Fair enough. But the fact that you want to be there to see Sal die is dark enough for me. I’m starting to corrupt you.” He trails the back of his hand down my face. It feels nice. Too nice.

I shift away from him and he drops his hand with a sigh.

“Are we really back to square one?” he asks. “After everything?”

“I didn’t think you’d even care about how I felt. You didn’t care when you kidnapped me. And I’m a proud woman, Finn. I can’t just go down without a fight. If people were to find out I started to care for my kidnapper, I’d be ruined. I’d be a laughingstock.”

“Who gives a fuck what people think?”

“That’s your problem. You don’t care enough what people think of you. It’s what keeps getting you into danger. But I wasa result of your actions. I care what others think and you should too.”

“Don’t lecture me, princess.”

“Why not? You’re lonely, Finn. You pushed your brother away when you didn’t have to. You could so easily make amends with him and yet, you refuse to do so.”

“He shot me in the fucking shoulder.”

“So? You tried to kill his wife years ago. Dante told me. I think you’re both even.”

“He’ll never trust me around Elena. If he doesn’t, then we can never be brothers again.”

I sigh. “You could start with talking. Try to make amends.”

“You just want me to make amends with my brother so I’ll make amends with Dante and let you go. Is that it?”

I don’t answer because he’s not wrong.

Finn smirks and brings his hand to my hip. “You’re mine now, Aria. Do you really not want to be?”

I know Finn can tell when I’m lying. If I say I don’t want to be his, he’ll spot the lie a mile away.

Because the truth is that I desperately want to kiss him again. I want to feel his body on top of mine.

The one sure thing I know is that Finn will keep me safe. He’s did it with Sal and he did it with those terrible friends he invited over that one time. If any man wants to hurt me, I know Finn would attack and protect me. He’s like a Pitbull. If you earn his trust, he’ll be loyal to you forever and be a great attack dog.

But can I fully trust Finn not to hurt me in the future? I don’t mean physically. I mean emotionally. If he ever kills Dante or my dad then…

“I’m not sure,” I answer honestly. “A part of me does and a part of me doesn’t.”

“Ok then. Maybe once I kill Sal, you’ll see that we can be together.”

“Why do you even want to be together so much? I thought you hated me. Hated what I stood for?”

“I never cared about any woman the way I do for you. But I’m learning to embrace it. I’m not going to fight how I feel. I want you to be mine. Fully. And I’m intent on making that happen.”

“Careful, Finn. You just might fall in love with me and then how can you judge your brother then? He fell in love too.”

“Then it’s a good thing I don’t love you. I’m just possessive. There’s a difference.”

Thereisa difference. And I’m not sure if Finn is truly capable of love. But I know he cares for me, even if he doesn’t want to say those exact words.

Finn’s phone rings, ruining the moment between us and drawing us apart. With a groan, Finn answers it. “What?”

“We have a problem.” It’s a man on the other end. Sounds like Viktor Smirnov.

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