Page 56 of Hunted to the Altar
Samuel slowly released me, his gaze never leaving Matteo’s. "You should have stayed in your seat."
Matteo chuckled. "And miss the sight of you parading your prize around like a trophy? No, no, I couldn’t resist."
The air turned lethal in an instant. Samuel moved, his body a wall of restrained violence between me and Matteo. "Watch your mouth."
Matteo raised his hands in mock surrender, but his smirk never wavered. "Relax, old friend. Just admiring. Though I have to wonder—how long can you keep her locked in your grasp before she realizes she was never meant to stay?"
I felt Samuel’s fury like a storm brewing at my front. It made him uncomfortable, me holding him like this, I could feel it when he tensed.
Matteo gave me one last lingering look before walking away, and the moment he was out of earshot, Samuel turned back around and leaned forward. "Are you beginning to understand yet?"
I swallowed as we walked back to the table. "Understand what?"
"That keeping you safe isn’t about locking you away. It’s about making sure men like him know you are mine."
The obsessiveness in his tone sent a shiver through me. I should have hated it. But a part of me—one I wasn’t ready to name—felt something else.
We left after the meal as discreetly as possible and got into the car waiting at the valet.I watched as he removed his suit jacket, fixing his cufflinks. Samuel’s grip on my thigh tightened slightly, his presence overwhelming even in the silence that stretched between us. I exhaled slowly, trying to gather my thoughts, but before I could speak, he reached over and lifted my chin with two fingers, forcing my gaze to meet his.
"You don’t need to fear me, Nina," he murmured, his voice almost gentle. "But you do need to understand that I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe."
I swallowed hard, knowing the moment I spoke the truth, my fate was sealed. "I’m not safe with you."
His jaw tensed. "You are safer with me than anywhere else. But you still don’t believe that, do you?"
"No." We passed a wooded area.
I paid little attention to it even as I heard a strange idea in my mind.
Get lost in there.I shook it off the random intrusive thought. As if I’d gain enough freedom from Samuel to accomplish something like that. He held me too tight.
The car screeched to a stop, the sudden force jerking me forward. I looked out the window realizing we’d made it back. I hadn’t noticed how close we truly were. Before I could react, Samuel was out, rounding the car and yanking open my door. I barely had time to protest before he grabbed me, his fingers digging into my arms, and dragged me out onto the quiet, dimly lit street.
He jerked me close to him, so close that the large holster japped into my ribs. An underling called his name, diverting his attention. As soon as he loosened his grip to address the guy, I grabbed the gun.
Blessed Freedom.
The echo of Samuel telling me to bring my ass back to him was quiet in my ears when compared to the sound of my pounding heart and my high heels tapping the pavement.
I was so fucked.
I took his gun and ran.
At the time, I thought only to protect myself and my baby, but now that I had the heavy weapon pressed to my chest with both hands like I was sprinting with a clutch instead of a pistol, I realized how dumb this was.
Samuel seemed like the kind of guy who’d be insulted by someone taking his gun.
I can’t believe I’m holding his gun while running. I don’t even know where the safety is. I bet it’s loaded and chambered too! I should be alright if I don’t have my fingers on the trigger, though.Right? Right? Oh my god.
My panic only highlighted how sheltered I was. I’d never held a gun before in my life. And what was I going to do with it? Shoot Samuel?
I wove through the property, not stopping even when I heard more shouts in the distance. His men were after me now. I could hear their steps filter into the once quiet night, closing in behind me.
I could shoot them if I had to. I could. I would. Right?
Was I capable of taking a life?
Please Lord, let me just escape this madness.
