Page 44 of Innocence
I couldn’t look him in the eye, so I nodded. As long as I focused on my hand and the braided leather band, I could do what I had to do. I hadn’t taken the bracelet off since the day Angie gave it to me.
I watched her work on it for months, and almost cried when she tied it around my wrist. It was faded now, and a little frayed, but it was still the most beautiful thing I owned.
Enzo’s head tipped and his eyes studied me. I held my breath, waiting for him to ravage me, but he didn’t do that.
I stared at him confused as he slowly slid off the bed. Why wasn’t he doing anything? I wasn’t fighting him. His command was even more baffling.
“Stand up.”
My brows rose. “Why?”
“I thought you were going to be good?” he answered with an arched brow of his own.
I slowly pushed myself up and shuffled to the edge of the bed. This could be a test? Why should he suddenly believe I’d be cooperative? I didn’t believe it myself. Was I actually doing this? Could I force myself to go along with what he wanted?
I toyed with my bracelet. Rolling the leather strands between my fingers and palm. It was comforting, kind of like Angie was there with me.
Within seconds, I was yanked onto my feet. There was barely time for me to steady myself, before Enzo sat down on the bed and pulled me between his thighs.
When I came face to face with the beast blazing in my captors eyes, panic pulsed through my system. It didn’t matter how tightly I clung to my bracelet.
“I don’t know what your game is, Pet,” he ran his finger along my jaw and roughly pinched my chin, “but it’s not going to stop me.”
A single tear gave away my false bravado.
Enzo’s lips curled as the salty drop streaked down my cheek. I hated him and the arrogance on his face, but I hated myself more. I couldn’t even pretend I was strong. No wonder my mother didn’t want me.
The strangest thing happened then. I hugged my waist and tucked my face in his chest. Why did I seek refuge from the very man that was tormenting me? I didn’t know. I just wanted an escape from that hollow ache in my chest.
Anything to replace the pain of loneliness. Even if it was terror from a monster.
I felt his muscles tense. My actions surprised my captor as much as they did me. That didn’t make me move away though. If anything, I huddled deeper into his large form. It made no sense.
This man wanted to hurt me, yet the warmth coming off him calmed my nerves a bit.
I liked it. Liked the spicy scent of his cologne, along with how his strong hand felt smoothing up my back. It made me feel oddly safe. I might suffer at his hands, but at least it was just his hands.
It was more security than I had at home. Or anywhere, for that matter.
I was a fool.
“Be careful who you hide behind,Pulsante.” Enzo’s fingers wrapped around the back of my neck as he nuzzled in and growled, “Monsters always protect their meals.”
The only warning I got was a momentary twitch as his hand dug into my flesh. One swift tug later and I was pulled away from the safety I’d stupidly thought I had. Staring back into those intense blue orbs, I realized my mistake.
This man wouldn’t just be my downfall, he’d be my utter defilement.
“I’ll never give you what you want.” I said it more to reassure myself, than I did to challenge him.
That’s not how he took it.
“You don’t have to give me anything, Pet,” his eyes flared with delight as he reached out and fisted the front of the camisole I was wearing. “I’ll take it.”
There wasn’t time to run away or fight back. The only thing I could do when he ripped the silk fabric apart, was desperately try to keep myself covered up.
My hands clutched the torn edge, holding it tightly against my body. I knew it was useless–I couldn’t beat his strength–yet, I still held out hope. Hope that my captor squashed with one fluid movement.
He stood up, folded me over the bed, and ripped the tattered fabric off my body. Somewhere in the back of my head, I heard a voice telling me to stick to my original plan. That things would go better if I did what he wanted.
