Page 93 of The Counterfeit Lover

And so he'd fulfilled the first step of his plan. He'd annihilated the Lastra family—the man guilty for Nicolo and Cami's death.

He should have moved on.

Once his plan had been accomplished, he should have moved on to the next stage, as he'd previously planned. He should haveneverlooked back.

Yet there she was.

The one person who made him doubt himself when he'd thought himself most secure.

The one person who'd hurt him more with one tear than he'd hurt at the hands of his abusers.

She blinked at him, his words clearly surprising her just as they surprised him.

"You… You admit that you hurt me?" she asked in a low voice.

He nodded.

"I lost control," he simply said.

It wasn't an apology—he wasn't quite there yet. It wasn't an explanation—Michele wouldneverexplain himself. But it was his only way of taking the blame onto himself.

"And so you brought me this," she continued, pointing to the bag filled with every little random thing he'd thought she might need—that she might like.

He nodded.

"Next time it won't be like that again," he assured her. "I'll control myself better. I'll be more gentle," he gave her the semblance of a smile.

She opened her mouth and closed it a few times as she stared at him—almost as if she were looking at a madman.

"There won't be a next time, Michele. I meant it. I don't want you in my life—now or ever. I don't wantyou," she added emphatically, giving him the direct cut both with her words and with her gaze.

"And I told you," he started, feeling himself grow impatient again—out of control. A deep breath and he attempted to stabilize himself. He wouldn't behave like an animal again but he also wouldn't allow his pet to have the misconception that he wouldeverleave her alone. "You're my woman, Zia," he said as he took a step forward. "And I'm not letting you go."

He didn't raise his voice. He merely informed her of the situation as he would someone about the universal state of black and white—there was no debate about it.

"I may have overreacted last night, but I won't do it again," he told her, half of it for his benefit.

"No," she shook her head, bringing her arms over her chest and assuming a combative stance. "And if you don't leave me alone, I'll tell my sister. I'll tell Vlad. I'll telleveryone."

He was surprised at her statement, but he was also equally intrigued.

Taking another step towards her, he merely smiled.

"Why haven't you done it until now?" he drawled in a smooth tone. "You could have told them from the beginning. So why haven't you?"

Her lips trembled, a sign that there was somethingmoreto that story.

"Do tell. Why haven't you told anyone?" he asked, his lips stretched into a smug smile as he caged her in. Her back hit the edge of the table as her hands came to rest on his pectorals for support. She quickly realized her mistake and sought to remove them, but he didn't let her.

He brought his own hands on top of hers, holding them captive.

"Why didn't you tell them that it wasIwho took your virginity, who fucked you in every way imaginable, who filmed you on your knees? Why?"

She blinked, bringing her eyes to him.

"You know why," she whispered.

"Why?"

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