Page 28 of Blood Lust

I didn’t hesitate. “Done.”

“And I want you to ensure he gets help. Therapy, groups, meetings, whatever it takes.” Her pointed chin lifted defiantly. God, she was fucking gorgeous.

“And if I don’t?” A smirk kicked up one side of my mouth. Not that I planned to deny her, but I couldn’t have her thinking she held as much power over me as she did.

She swallowed hard, and her bravado slipped before she straightened her spine again. “I will kill myself.”

“Alia!” her father cried out, reaching for her, but she shook him off.

My gaze narrowed and an inexplicable rage burned through my veins. “What?” I asked in a quiet and deceptively calm tone.

“You heard me.” She remained stoic, but her lower lip trembled slightly.

“If any harm comes to you by your own hand, the deal is off. I give you my word, but it’s only as good as yours,” I countered. “Are we clear?”

“Yes,” she whispered, and her gaze dropped to her feet.

“Antonio, you are free to go,” I repeated. “You will be contacted with the schedule for your rehabilitation.”

“May I say goodbye to my daughter?” he asked firmly.

I lifted my chin, then gave a single nod.

He turned to his daughter and embraced her tightly. Her eyes closed as she clung to him. They whispered to each other, and a single tear escaped from beneath her lashes. Though I hated to see her cry, I shoved those empathetic feelings down.

When they separated, Antonio sniffed once, straightened his tie, and gave me a nod. Then he walked out the door. It closed with a soft snick, and Lia rounded on me.

“How did you find me? Did you know who I was in Texas? Were you just toying with me in some sick game?” she demanded, her fists balled.

While crossing the room, I held her gaze, then stopped in front of her. The light scent of her perfume grabbed me and pulled me closer. Breathing her in, I languidly trailed my nose up her neck. The sharp intake of her breath as she remained rooted in place told me I still affected her as much as she did me.

“No. On the contrary, I had no idea you were Antonio’s daughter or that his daughter was even as old as you were. My personal interactions with your father were minimal. When we did communicate, he didn’t discuss you, therefore you weren’t on my radar. Imagine my surprise when I found out it was… you,” I softly explained—something I wouldn’t have done for anyone else.

“So now you own me,” she snapped before clenching her jaw.

I pushed myself upright again and looked her in the eye. “Yes.”

Given the way her eyes widened, it was clear she hadn’t expected me to be honest.

“Pietro will take you to my penthouse. You can make yourself at home, but stay out of the master wing. I’ll be there tonight.” I would’ve liked to have gone with her, but I had things that I had to see to.

“Fine,” she grumbled. Pietro led her to the small private elevator that was behind a bookcase in my office.

Once they were gone, I sat down, lost in thought. Though I’d made the deal, I was a bit stunned that it had worked out and she had agreed to come to me. The thing was, now I had to get past her anger and remind her of how good we were together in Texas.

My door flew open, and Vittorio barged in. He stormed toward my desk and slammed his hands onto the polished top as he leaned over my desk. “Have you lost your fucking mind?” he hissed.

“By all means, come in,” I sarcastically replied, though I didn’t answer the question he was really asking.

“What do you plan to do with her?”

I shot to my feet and put my face within inches of my brother’s. “Anything I goddamn well please,” I practically snarled.

“You can’t just kidnap women and hold them hostage, Gabriel.”

“She’s no hostage, and she came willingly. She waswillingto trade herself for her father who should be dead for what he did. So maybe you should be thanking me for having mercy on him,” I ground out from between gritted teeth.

He sighed and pushed off the desk. He ran a hand through his impeccably styled hair in obvious frustration.

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