Page 15 of The Mafia's Desire

“We’ll check on you later,” Beth said.

“Thank you,” Sara said. After the door closed, she looked down at her hands. Her body stiffened when Ethan sat beside her hip to face her.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

She tried to move away from him, but he stopped her by placing one of his hands on the other side of her hips, caging her in.

She inhaled and glanced up at him. “They don’t know you very well, do they?”

“Why would you say that?” he asked.

“They think you’re this nice guy when you hate women.”

“But I don’t hate women.”

“I don’t want to play this game with you. It doesn’t matter if you do or not. I’m going to leave soon.”

“No, you’re not.”

She blinked a few times. God, would her emotions ever stabilize where this man was concerned? “So, we’re back to silencing me because of what I saw?”

He growled. “That bullshit is going to stop now. I never have or would ever hurt or kill you.”

“That guy…”

“Was a psychopath and gone forever.”

That startled her. “You killed him?”

“Yes, and I’d gladly do it over and over for what he did to you.”

Different thoughts were racing through her mind. A small part of her didn’t trust he was telling the truth, but what she read on his face made him seem sincere.

“So, if he’s gone, why do I have to stay?” she asked.

“Because I’m keeping you.”

Her mouth dropped open. “What … wait. You can’t just keep someone.”

“I am.”

“Ethan, you can’t…”

“Yes, I can. Unless you hate me, you’re staying here until you’re better, and then I’m taking you to my house.”

“I don’t hate you. I don’t know what I feel, but it isn’t hate. I have a life I need to get back to.”

“Your job is gone, I quit for you, and your apartment is packed up, and everything is in storage at the house until you’re ready to go through it.”

Sara sputtered and then tried to shove him away from her.

“Don’t do that, love. I know you’re still hurting.”

“Get away from me.”

He shook his head. “No. I’ll give you time to come to terms with your new life, but you better get used to it.”

“I won’t.”

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