Page 42 of Sinful Negotiations

Tessa screamed when he dropped to his knees on the concrete and fell forward. She scurried to his side and grasped his hand. “No. Aidan. Get up. Oh my God.”

One man grabbed her from behind, roughly hoisting her from his side. A third shot entered his back and his body jerked even as his heartbeat slowed. There was nothing he could do. Blackness descended, and blood seeped from his wounds onto the concrete.

Chapter 36

Four weeks had passed since that fateful day. Did Aidan survive? He said he’d come for her no matter what happened. Hope surged every time she thought of him but diminished each second spent in her captor’s presence.

She’d awoken in a white, padded room on the floor. No phone, no purse, no television, no radio, nothing except a tiny bathroom on one side. For five days, she sat in a corner, replaying every detail, and squeezing the shamrock before she slept until a strange man strolled in barking orders.

He acted like her savior, but she knew better. It’s funny how the mind works. In that moment, she was grateful and wary of this handsome man who assumed control of her life. He’d moved her to a new location, this house, and given her clean clothes and fresh food. He’d been kind in a strange, ugly world, but she soon realized who he was.

It took a little bit to piece the puzzle together, but he was the man she’d met outside the restaurant. He’d stalked her, sent the roses, and didn’t bother to deny it when she’d confronted him.

Marco Dentzi poised across the table, legs crossed, napkin over his knees, hands folded top in his typical relaxed state. Nothing seemed to bother him…not her outbursts, cruel words, or disgust. She hated him. Hated him for being her captor and hated him for the smirk he always wore.

Handsome, rich, and domineering, she might like him if it weren’t for his lifestyle. Lethal and cunning, he studied her like a hawk waiting for the chance to snatch her off the ground and devour her whole.

Her silverware hovered over the steak on her plate. “Stop staring at me.”

A deep chuckle irritated her to no end.

“Why? You are so incredibly beautiful in your anger. I wonder when you might let it go. Forgive me for what you see as an offense?”

“Never,” Tessa hissed. “You kidnapped me. Why?”

With one finger, he traced the rim of his wine glass. “I suppose it’s time you know the truth, but I hate to be the one to hurt you in this way.”

Finally, she’d learn something about why she was here from this thick-accented, controlling man. Aidan kept her in the dark. Her uncle kept her in the dark. Marco kept her in the dark. Would she forever be doomed to be under the control of a man? Tired of the games, she didn’t care if it hurt. What could be worse?

“You were given to me in exchange for your uncle’s debts.”

That was worse.Sold like a common whore by the uncle she thought cared. The family member who raised her after her parent’s death, the uncle she loved had bargained her off to a criminal.

Her fork clanked against the plate, her stomach knotted, nausea churned in her gut, and a tear slipped from the corner of one eye. She couldn’t do it any longer. Her inner strength broke in that moment, and she covered her face with both hands. “No. It's not true.”

“I’m so sorry, Tessa.”

The words rang hollow even if his voice lowered to a soft cadence. At this stage, she hated everyone, and she hated her life. There was no escape from this iron-barred hacienda in the middle of nowhere, and no one knew where to find her except Aidan. Possibly.

One hand dipped to the shamrock pendant lying against her flesh. It was the only thing she had from Aidan besides memories, and the one item to bring her comfort. The trackerinside would be her salvation if Aidan lived.Please God, let him be alive, she whispered behind her own hand.

“Why do you touch the necklaces so often? Are they from someone special? Perhaps a lover?”

Think Tessa. “My grandmother gave it to me before she died along with the rose heart. We called her the Irish Rose.” Her gaze locked with Marco’s in challenge. Intelligence lit his green eyes as he studied her, searching for any signs of deception.

“And this woman meant much to you?”

His gaze flicked to her mouth when she nervously licked her lips. “She helped raise me, and I cared for her in her last days.”

Marco tossed his napkin over his empty plate and rose from his seat. She squirmed under his massive height and perceptive eyes. When he moved behind her, and slid one hand over her shoulder, she held her breath with one hand over the charms. His warm hand covered hers as his breath tickled her ear. “I wouldn’t take such a treasure from you, Tessa. I, too, loved my grandmother.”

She inhaled deeply.

“As for your uncle, he did me a great honor for you aremy treasure. With time, you will come to know I would never treat you as a bargaining chip. You are a priceless diamond I would proudly show the world, not hide behind a badge, or secrets, or self-interest.”

One fingertip moved from her hand to her bare chest, stroking and sliding over her flesh. The ridiculous gowns made it impossible to avoid his gaze and touch. “Stop it.”

Marco chuckled in her ear, raising goosebumps over her skin. “In time, you will crave my touch.”

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