Page 5 of Brutal Don

Cara didn’t feel the telltale ache between her legs. Her wrists ached a little but the bruises were from the restraints she wore the night before. Was the auction just the night before? Cara didn’t even know how much time had passed since she’d been plucked off the streets.

Flinging the sheets aside, she unsteadily stood up. She wiggled her toes as her feet touched soft carpeting. This humongous bedroom and its furnishings screamed money. Slowly shrugging her grogginess off, Cara forced herself to walk to the window. She wanted to get her bearings, to see where she was.

Opening the curtains made her gasp in shock and wonder. Cara had never seen Ringsor City from this high up, so it took her a few seconds to recognizefamiliar landmarks like the cluster of glass and steel buildings that was the city center. The people on the street looked so tiny from where she stood.

Dang it, Cara shouldn’t be impressed. She just woke up in some strange man’s bedroom. At the very least, she was operating on the assumption that the green-eyed, black devil in the suit owned this high-rise apartment.

Right now, she was mercifully alone but after paying so much for her, that stranger probably had plans to … to what? Cara’s imagination took her on a wild ride.

She shuddered when she felt his intense gaze on her during the night of the auction. It wasn’t just from fear but also excitement. During lonely and cold nights when she couldn’t fall asleep, Cara indulged herself in fantasies where a well-to-do prince would sweep her off her feet.

Cara ought to be ashamed of herself for thinking a possible happy ending awaited her. She touched the cold pane of glass. When she woke up in a cage, she thought of ways to escape. This time, she found herself in a sky prison, surrounded by glass.

“I take it you like the view?” said a deep and cultured voice.

Cara spun and found herself looking at the same beautiful monster who paid a fortune for her. He also wore a tailored suit, midnight-blue this time, as if he was getting ready for work.

“Who are you? What do you want with me?” Cara asked.

Her back hit the glass. Cara’s mind furiously worked out potential escape routes. She’d always been a fast runner. He blocked the doorway, but she had a feeling that even if she did manage to run past him, she would encounter plenty of obstacles. Men like him probably had an entire security team to call on if needed.

He raised one dark eyebrow. “You don’t know who I am?”

The arrogance that dripped from that one sentence made her want to roll her eyes—which she did. He only looked amused and that kicked up her fear a notch. Cara was used to leers and lewd suggestions coming from crude men like Ted, but it unnerved her that this man was a different kind of scary.

“Dante Massimo. It’s a pleasure to finally speak to you face-to-face, Cara Strong,” he said.

Even the way he said her name sounded sinful. It infuriated her. Of course, men like him who had access to numerous resources probably knew everything about her.

“Release me and I promise I won’t tell the cops about … all this,” she said.

He laughed and that only ticked her off. Cara wasn’t a naive fool. She knew nothing would be easy, especially given her circumstances.

“I’m good friends with the police commissioner. Sam and I play golf twice a month, in fact,” Dante said. He took a step toward her and Cara tensed. She didn’t like feeling like a cornered rat. Dante went on, “The drugs must still be wearing off so I’ll just have to remind you that you’re now exclusively mine. I have no intentions of ever letting you go. I’m very particular about my possessions, you see.”

“I’m a person, not a thing,” Cara whispered.

“Indeed, you continue to intrigue me the more time we spend together,” Dante said.

He slid his hands into the pockets of his trousers and continued, “I have back-to-back meetings all day, so we’ll have to continue this conversation tonight. Enjoy a long bath. There’s plenty of food in the kitchen as well. I’ll have a dress delivered to you this afternoon. I expect you to be wearing it for dinner.”

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Cara demanded.

Her head spun with anger, with how ridiculous everything was. Did he really think she’d do as he asked? Dante finally crossed the distance between them. She froze but he only lifted her left hand and placed a kiss on her wrist. Her heart started beating erratically. How could this man be so charming and maddening at the same time?

Cara swallowed. When he leaned in close, she could smell the cologne he used and a hint of cigarette smoke. Cara parted her lips slightly and let out a little moan when her breasts brushed against his arm.Dante’s mouth touched her left ear, not her lips. Disappointment hit her, although she didn’t understand why.

“Escape is futile, Cara. Sooner or later, you will have to accept your unique position,” Dante whispered.

She raised her hand but he caught her wrist before she could slap him. Sudden fear spiked through her when he didn’t hit back or reprimand her.

“Such spirit,” Dante murmured. “You truly are your weight in gold. Now behave until I return.”

****

Fifteen minutes after she heard the front door close, Cara remained where she was, stunned by her first meeting with Dante. He really believed she would do whatever he told her to, didn’t he? Cara shook her head in disbelief. She couldn’t remain standing here.

Cara looked for comfortable clothes to wear and wandered into the bathroom by accident. Dante’s private bathroom—she had no words for it. It was the size of her entire studio apartment and it had a gigantic closet and a Jacuzzi.

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