Page 17 of Entangled
Wherever I was, it was clear I wasn’t being treated poorly as far as accommodations went. As long as that meant no more hoods over my face or aromas that made me pass out.
A slice of terror went through me because no matter how beautiful these surroundings may be, they were unfamiliar. Theunfamiliarity of these surroundings caused a slice of terror to go through me. I had grown so used to the layout of my life and this sudden change in my routine unsettled me. I felt scared for the first time about something that had nothing to do with my husband.
I did my best to look down at myself and saw I was still wearing the same nightgown and covered in a soft, comfortable knit blanket. At least whoever the fuck had taken me hostage was treating me reasonably.
Is that really one of my first thoughts about my current predicament? Fuck, Jude really has ruined me.
Leave it to me to always be seeking goodness in a situation, no matter how shitty it seemed.
As my mind flashed to Jude, I wondered what must have gone through his mind when I didn’t come downstairs this morning.
I’m sure he was furious at thinking I defied him for once. When I got back to his house, he’d probably try to blame this on me too, as if getting kidnapped was my fault.
I felt like I was getting ahead of myself, assuming I was going to be back at his house so soon. I had no idea what my captors had planned for me. They could keep me here indefinitely or seek revenge by killing me for something my family or my husband had done. There was no telling what kind of shitstorm I’d gotten myself in now.
I was so wrapped up in my thoughts, I almost didn’t recognize the man sleeping soundly in the chair next to me. I took a cautious moment to take in his features and realized I knew him.
The tousled dark brown hair, the first few buttons on the top of his white dress shirt, undone. Sleeves rolled up to reveal his assortment of ink. Some of the tattoos he displayed looked like it had faded over the years, and some even looked brand new. Hehad a rose on the top of his right hand, surrounded by smaller roses, and random tattoos of various kinds scattered over his arms, and even some on his fingers. I could see a tattoo on his forearm, a plain script that read:Survivor of all my scars.
I never knew I'd be a woman attracted to tattoos, but this man made them work in a deliciously dangerous sort of way.
Just imagine how his tattooed hands would look around?—
You are a pathetically horny woman.
I shooed away the intrusion of my dirty thoughts and took inventory of the rest of the man in front of me.
One hand supported his head, and the other was holding a Glock.
Kade Luchetti, ladies and gentlemen.
He looked so peaceful as he slept, his breaths rolling through his body evenly, as if he wasn’t a monster.
Even though he’d kidnapped me from my home in the dark of the night, I still couldn’t help but remember how he’d first looked at me when our eyes met at the table. How pity had sliced through them before his stony resolve slipped back into place. Something deep within me tingled and ached to be closer to him and to know all the secrets he kept locked away behind those stormy eyes.
I didn’t know the reasoning yet, but there was a slight chance that Kade saw me for the first time and decided to take me for his own personal vendetta, that had nothing to do with his family.
And yet, I couldn’t help but wonder what repercussions he and his family were facing by taking me captive. I also couldn’t help but feel grateful in the same breath to be out of that house, no matter how short of a time it may be. Which sounded so pathetic and ridiculous that I wanted to smack my heart for being such a pitiful bitch to the first bit of twisted kindness someone had shown me in years.
I’d never met Kade before last night, but I’d heard enough of the tales of the Luchetti brothers, and of their heartless and vicious father, Matthias. It had taken everything in me last night sitting at that dining room table not to gasp at how Lilah spoke to the entire family. It’s like she was asking for a death wish. I had no idea what power she assumed the Canellas held over the Luchettis, if there was even any at all. But regardless, she was playing a dangerously lethal game. And their games were ones I wanted no part of.
But now I had no choice in the matter. I was stuck right in the middle of it all.
Kade moved slightly, stirring in the chair, causing the gun to twitch.
Watch. It would be my luck I’d get fucking shot while he was sleeping.
Pretending I was still asleep, I laid back down, like I’d never woken up or seen him at all. I slowed my breathing and heard him move around, the sound of his fingers scratching his stubble on his cheeks the only sound.
I opened my eyes ever so slightly, peeking through my lids, and saw him tucking the gun into his waistband before picking up the chair and moving it back by the fireplace. I squeezed my eyes shut again before he realized I was awake and didn’t open them again until I heard the door click behind him and the lock slide into place.
Another tower I now belong to.
I didn’t know why I felt such a fascination with this man, considering my history with mafia men, but something about him called to me.
The question was, would I answer that call?
I hadn’t realizedit until I opened my eyes again that I’d fallen back asleep. I only knew because Kade stood leaning against my wall, as if he’d been waiting for an eternity for me to wake up.
