Page 17 of Monster's Claim
He wanted to feel her body curled up againsthim, but decided it might apply too much pressure on her injuredleg.They didn’t speak for a few seconds.Matthias didn’t mind thesilence.He imprinted this moment in his head forever and wonderedif there could be more.
There would be,he decided.TheFamilia couldn’t let Lara go, might even consider her collateraldamage after he retrieved all the information they needed from her,but he’d intervened.Hell, Matthias would fight until his lastbreath to keep her.Marco owed him for all those stolen years hehad to live in darkness.He’d soon come to collect that debt.
Emerging from that torture room had changedhim, breaking something vital inside of him.It turned him into atwisted and scarred monster.Matthias didn’t think he could everfeel this way again, much less love again, until her.
She rested her head against his shoulder.Hereached for her fingers and gave them a squeeze.
“What are you thinking of?”he asked.
“About what’s going to happen next.”
“I’ll make sure you’re safe.You’re minenow, Lara.Nothing and no one will harm you.”
Lara suddenly sat up, eyes wide.“I can helpyou.I only thought of it now, but maybe I can reach out toSkip.”
He frowned.“You mean pose as bait.”
“That’s it.I don’t know if he’ll appear,but at least it’s something, right?”
“That’s a dangerous suggestion.Putting youin harm’s way is not an option,” he firmly said, sitting up.
She crossed her arms over those temptingbreasts.Another surge of possessiveness filled him as he eyed thedrying cum on her skin.Lara blushed.
“When you look at me like that, I don’t knowwhat to feel,” she said.
“Having second thoughts about belonging tothis monster?”he asked, teasing her.
She shook her head.“It’s new to me, someonegenuinely wanting me the way you do.You’re so intense sometimes,but I think I don’t mind.If it’s you, it’s fine.”
He raised her fingers to his lips and kissedthem.“I don’t know what I did to deserve you.The answer is stillno.”
She pouted at him.Cute,he thought,as she took her fingers back from his grip.
“Matthias, I’m not joking.This isn’t a ployto escape or anything like that.I genuinely want to be in yourfamily’s good graces.To help.After all, I also want Skip to getwhat he deserves.”
He considered her words.Matthias knew withabsolute certainty she wouldn’t betray him.Lara had no one,nothing to lose, but she had him on her side now.
“My family ordered me to stalk you, kidnapyou,” Matthias reminded her.
“I know that, but I can’t change the past,and besides, if you didn’t take me captive, I wouldn’t have metyou.I think that trumps everything else.”
Matthias pulls her towards him for a kiss,this one sweet and tender.Just when she thought a man like himdidn’t do soft, he kept surprising her.
“If we do this, we’ll do it right,” Matthiasfinally said.“I’ll have a talk with my brother.After we get Skip,you’re no longer in danger.You can leave this house.”
Lara widened her eyes and held her breath.Wait.What was Matthias implying?
Matthias gathered her hands in his.“Iplanned to keep you, never intended to let you go, but you deservebetter.I’ll convince my brother, the Familia to leave you the hellalone.”
What the hell?After everything, didhe really had the balls to say those words?Did he really think hewas doing her some kind of favor?
“No, Matthias.That’s not what I want,” Larablurted, biting on her lower lip.God.Sometimes, this maninfuriated her.“Can’t you see?You’ve plucked me from my old lifeand thrust me into this one.Then you made me fall for you.Now youwant me gone?”
Lara didn’t realize she was yelling orpunching at his shoulder, until he gripped her wrists again.Thenthe bastard stole a kiss from her, real, rough, and merciless.Laraneeded a couple of seconds to remember how to breathe again as hepulled away.Matthias reached out, tucking one short strand of hairthat got in her face.
“I made that offer, knowing what you’d say.I don’t need torture.I know you’re already mine.”
Lara blew out a breath.“Was that atest?”
