Page 7 of Stolen By the Mafia King
“What’s really going on here? Does my brother owe you? I won’t marry you so you can get my money for his debts.” I guess the most obvious reason.
The bastard has the temerity to laugh. “I’m far richer than you, sweetheart. I have no need of your fortune. You have what, a couple of million? Enough for a nice house and a life of frugal leisure. I have a thousand times that.”
“Well, don’t think that means you can buy my body either,” I say proudly. That’s all men in our world ever want. Money or sex.
He tilts his head to the side. “Is that what you think? I merely want to slake my insatiable animal lust on your smooth virgin curves?”
Slake his lust. Quite honestly, when he puts it like that it makes my belly go warm and loose. I ignore his accurate guess about my virginity.
“Well why else would you have kidnapped me?” Because that nonsense about wanting me? Impossible.
“To protect you,” he replies simply.
“Sure,” I scoff. “I can defend myself, I don’t need an old man like you.” A lie. A total lie. I don’t even know why I’m baiting him. Trying to claw back some influence in this situation, maybe. I’m caught and at his whim.
His eyes are glittering now, with mirth yes, but with something menacing too. I’ve thrown out a challenge and a bad feeling skitters down my spine that he’s about to take me up on it.
“You think I’m past it, do you,” he says with terrifying softness.
“Yes. You locked me into that taxi. You’re going to lock me in here for a month. Not even giving me a chance to prove myself.” I’m proud of myself that my voice equals his for calm, even as my insides flutter. I’m trembling like a puppy dreaming of playing with leaves. “You couldn’t even give me a fair trial. Anopportunityto escape.”
He smiles. “You think you can best me given an equal fight, do you? Okay. Choose a competition.”
I did not think this through. I taunted him about being old, but he’s bigger and stronger than me, for all he’s twenty years older. The only fight I would do better at is one where his muscle would be a disadvantage. I can’t think of any right now, but I’m not going to be totally screwed over either. “It can’t be a strength test. I’m not arm wrestling you.”
“Mmm.” The sound is a rumbling purr. “What about a chase?”
Oh. I… I can be fast. That doesn’t sound so bad. It seems quite fair. “What’s the trap?”
“You want to escape?” He reaches into his pocket and slides out a key. “A race for your freedom. Make it to the front door, and you can walk away.”
This sounds good. I’m nodding eagerly.
“But if it turns out I’m not sooldthat I can’t catch you…”
I go still. His eyes glitter and the moment draws out like the sun descending through a red-streaked horizon. What will he demand as his prize?
“You stay here with me for twenty-four hours and dowhatever I want.”
The shock reverberates through me. If I lose, I’m his for the day. No control, no way to stop. Heat pools between my legs instantly and my nipples harden.
“If I prove I’m a match for you, I get to use that pretty body of yours. And since I’m so old, I’ve had plenty of time and experience to discover perverted acts that will make you squirm as you cry with pleasure.”
Oh god. A shudder like an earthquake goes through me and I go hot and liquid at my core.
“Or you don’t play the game, and you stay quietly under my protection until you’re safe. Your choice.”
My choice.
At least I have options, which is more than my brother gave me. Grant’s gaze doesn’t waver from my face. He’s intense, this man. Like facing burning metal.
I look away. I can’t think while he’s there, so handsome and focussed.
But I still feel his attention, unyielding. Unrelenting.
Think. I have to think.
It’s all or nothing if I take his bet. If I can outrun him, I’ll be out, finally. It’s been twenty-one years in captivity. Yes, I’ll be at risk of my brother catching me, but is that really a greater risk than being trapped with the kingpin?
