Page 34 of Velvet Cruelty

“That your mom died. That’s really sad.”

A look passes over his handsome features. Then he blinks and it’s as though nothing happened. “As soon as I saw you, I thought of this necklace. Your red lips and pale skin. Nothing would bring out the beauty of these stones more.”

“I… um, thank you?”

He smiles, but his eyes are all business. “Will you wear it for me?”

A rippling warmth spreads through my body. I ignore it, pulling the pillow into my chest. “Not if it’s so important to your family. It wouldn’t be right.”

“I say what’s right.” His free hand caresses my wrist. “I’ll have a dress made for you. Black velvet with a slit up the side. You’ll be naked beneath it, my rubies at your throat, and every man who sees you will wish me dead.”

He sounds pleased by the idea.

I can see it too. Us. Me in the velvet dress, my hair loose around my shoulders. Eli in a tuxedo, his arm at my waist. We’re attending an event, the kind I used to go to with my mom, only this time I won’t be hustled away at midnight. I’d be free to dance and drink and explore.

Eli’s hand brushes my side, and I pull away. “I don’t want… um…”

“You don’t want my necklace? Or you don’t want me?”

The weight of his questions rolls through my mind. I think I might want him but I don’t want this. And why are we even talking about the future when I’m locked in his basement? “I thought I was here to punish Mr. Parker.”

He smiles as if I’m missing something obvious. “You don’t need to know the reason you’re here, bella. You don’t need to know anything at all.”

I want that to be true almost as much as I want to put on his necklace and be whatever he wants me to be. But that’s so pathetic. I look into his eyes. “Maybe. But I want to know.”

“Why? You’re a sweet little virgin and I’ve come offering rubies. Isn’t that enough?”

I try to say no but he’s already kissing me. I let him, warmth running from his lips to mine. My heart swells inside my chest. He’s different from Doc. Softer and more complete. He groans into my mouth and the knowledge this perfect man wants me, sets my skin ablaze. I kiss him back, shame and sweetness battling inside me until Eli pulls away, rubbing a thumb over my lower lip. “Yes. You’re everything a woman should be. You will be mine.”

There’s a rushing sound in my ears. “I’m already engaged.”

He smiles “No, you’re not.”

“Mr. Parker—”

“Will soon be dead. After we’ve wrung enough misery out of him.” He says it as though commenting on the weather.

“But you can’t kill Mr. Parker!”

Eli’s face contracts into a familiar expression. I’m annoying him, but I can’t act like this makes sense. “Why do you all hate Mr. Parker so much?”

He looks at me like I’m a child wanting to know where the sun goes at night. He sighs. “He did wrong by the four of us a long time ago. Does that satisfy your curiosity?”

“Um…” That’s not anything I couldn’t have guessed. In fact, it would be weirder if Mr. Parker didn’t do something to make them hate him. “What did he do?”

His face hardens. “Ask another question.”

“Okay…” I cast my mind around for something I want to know. “Are you in the mafia?”

His lips press together. “If you ask that again, I will be forced to strike you. I’m a businessman. I have professional interests.”

He sounds so disgusted, tears prickle at the corners of my eyes. “Sorry, Mr. Morelli.”

“Ah, bella, do not cry.” Eli throws an arm around my shoulders. I give in and collapse into his chest.

“It will be done,” he mutters into my hair. “I will keep you.”

I pull away. “You mean… marry me?”

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