Page 11 of Plus-Size Bratva Possession
“Yes, coward. A real man would have faced Giovanni directly, not gone after his sister like some sniveling, backstabbing—”
I cut her off by grabbing her wrist. “Enough.”
Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn't back down. “Truth hurts, doesn't it?”
Those eyes. Those goddamn hazel eyes, flashing with righteous anger. And those lips, full and pink and currently curled in a sneer as she threw every insult she could think of at me. Despite my rage, I found myself staring at her mouth, wondering what it would taste like if I just...
No. What the hell was wrong with me? I shook my head, trying to clear it.
“You done with your little tantrum?” I asked, my voice rougher than I intended.
“Tantrum?” She laughed incredulously. “That's rich coming from the king of overreactions. What next, Gastone? Going to put me in time-out? Take away my toys?”
“Don't tempt me,” I growled, still holding her wrist.
She stepped closer, until her chest was flush against mine, and I feared she could hear my heart race, which was now picking up speed. “Or what?” she challenged, her breath warm against my lips, toodangerouslyclose. “What are you going to do to me that you haven't already done?”
We stared at each other for a long, charged moment, the air between us crackling with tension. I found myself noticing things I had no business noticing—the flecks of gold in her eyes, the flush spreading across her cheeks, the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed.
She must have sensed something changing because she suddenly pulled back, looking confused and wary.
“Stay away from me,” she said, taking another step back.
I released her wrist, needing some distance myself. “Gladly. Your room is down the hall.”
“My prison cell, you mean?”
“Call it whatever you want. It has a bed, a bathroom.” I paused. “You can do whatever you want in this apartment. I'm not going to restrict your movements. But you can't leave.”
“How generous of you,” she said sarcastically. “The five-star kidnapping experience.”
My patience, already thread-thin, finally snapped. “That's it. I've had enough of your mouth for one night.”
Before she could react, I grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her over my shoulder.
“Put me down!” she shrieked, pounding her fists against my back. “You absolute Neanderthal!”
I ignored her and carried her straight to the guest bedroom. She wasn't heavy but was certainly solid, all curves and warmth against me.
“When my brothers find out about this—”
“They'll do nothing,” I finished for her, pushing open the door to the guest room. I walked straight to the bed and dumped her unceremoniously onto it.
She bounced once, her hair a wild tangle around her face, her dress riding up to reveal more of her thighs than she probably intended. I averted my eyes, annoyed at myself for noticing.
“You're insane,” she said, scrambling to stand.
“And you're exhausting,” I replied, backing toward the door. “Get some sleep. We'll talk in the morning and hopefully, by then, you'll run out of creative insults.”
“Not likely, you domineering, arrogant, pig-headed—”
“Good night, Elena, and give that filthy mouth a rest, will you?” I cut her off, stepping into the hallway.
“This isn't over, Ajello!” she called after me.
In answer, I slammed the door shut.
Chapter 5 - Elena
