Page 27 of Beautiful Devil

Jackass.

“I need to speak to Elle. She must be out of her mind with worry. We were supposed to meet for brunch today, but I obviously never showed up. She probably has every cop in town looking for me.”

“No, she doesn’t. She’s been handled.” Horror must cross my face, because he quickly adds, “Jesus,gattina, she’s still alive. I would never hurt a woman. We told her what happened, and she understands.”

“You told Elle that you kidnapped me, and she was not only okay with it, but she‘understands’as well?”

“Well, no…”

“Did you tell her that yourself?”

“No, I—”

“Then what did you tell her?”

“God damn it, woman, I’m trying to tell you. If you’d stop interrupting me and let me finish, you’d know by now.”

I offer a slight nod, and he continues.

“We told her that there were some bad men looking for you, and in order to keep you safe, we had to put you in hiding until we neutralized the threat.”

“And she bought that?”

“No, not at first. But I can be verypersuasive,” he states while a knowing look crosses over his face.

God, why does he have to be so damn good-looking?

A beat passes where we hold each others eyes for longer than necessary.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I say, “Whatever it is you want, just take it. I don't have much left to my name, but it's yours if you just let me go now. I promise not to go to the police. I don't even know what your name is. And even if I did, I still wouldn't go. Snitches get stitches.” I give a small laugh as my voice trails off.

Snitches get stitches? Really?

His lip slightly lifts before he finally speaks. “You think I want to robyou? You're the one who stole fromme!” His voice rises at the end.

What is he talking about? I don't even know who he is! I’ve only just met him last night.

Taking a step back, I try to keep my voice calm and steady when I answer him. “I think you have me confused with someone else, I didn’t steal from you. I don’t even know who you are. I’m…”

I don’t get to finish my sentence, because the next thing I know, he’s making his way toward me with a fierce look of anger on his face.

As I walk backward as fast as I can on shaky legs, my back hits the wall. I try not to whimper as his right hand reaches out and grabs me around the neck, holding me firmly, trapping me in.

The hand around my neck is tight, but still allowing me to breathe. While I try not to visibly shiver and cower in front of him even though I am freaking the fuck out on the inside, he brings his face so close to mine we’re mere inches apart. The anger radiating off of him is palpable.

Nostrils flaring, he barks at me through clenched teeth. “Oh I know exactly who you are,Gia, and I most definitely donothave the wrong person.”

This time, I can’t hide the whimper that slips past my lips or my body shaking in fear. I’m terrified, and he knows it. I’m able to study his face some more from our close proximity and, no surprise, he’s utterly stunning.

He looks like he was created by the gods with how handsome he is. My traitorous body is aching to be touched lower; internally, I’m begging him to close the remaining gap between us. Shaking those thoughts away and ignoring this strange pull I feel toward him, I remind myself that heusedme. He pretended to be interested in me last night just so he could get close enough to me tokidnapme.

There’s something about him that seems familiar, though. There is no way that what he said about me stealing from him is true, I’ve never stole from anyone. But I swear I’ve seen this specimen of a man before last night, I just cant put my finger on where exactly. Then it hits me: he was with the giant that ownsJeff the dog,who ran into me and almost trampled me to the ground. This can’t be a coincidence.

“Why were you at Diavolo’slast night? The giant you were with…him and his dog, Jeff, ran into me weeks ago. Are youfollowingme?” I say that last part with a bit of a bite to it.

He doesn't answer me, but he doesn't need to because his silence says it all.

“Oh, my God. Youarefollowing me.”

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