Page 67 of Captured Innocence

“What are you doing, princess? Trying to escape already? And here I thought we were getting along so much better.”

He wedged his knee between my legs, pushing up on both palms as he stared down at me. When he chuckled, a sickening growl vibrated in his throat. I slammed my hands against him, gritting my teeth, hating myself for being glad to see him. I could hate him until the sun permanently faded in the sky, but he was one of the few people on earth able to protect me.

“I wasn’t certain it was you.”

“Did you really think I’d leave you to fend for yourself?”

“I don’t know you any longer, Mattia.”

He studied me intently. “You know me better than anyone, bellissima principessa.”

“I thought I did. Then you…” I half laughed. Why did the past even matter any longer?

“Then I what?” he asked as he cocked his head, allowing his heated gaze to fall. Even covered in mud and gore, he remained gorgeous.

“It doesn’t matter.” I looked away.

He gripped my chin, pulling my face until I was forced to look at him. “It does to me.”

The rich scent of the man was far too invigorating, my desire for him eclipsing my usual rational thoughts. “Just get off me.” I slammed my hands against his chest again, the same tingling sensations jetting through me.

“Only if you promise to be a good girl.”

They weren’t just the same words he’d used inside the prison but also the ones he’d said all those years ago when I’d been like a deer in the headlights, allowing him to take advantage of me. My inner voice was laughing at me. Maybe I’d been the one to take advantage.

Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine.

The word reverberated in the back of my mind, leaving my stomach churning.

There had to be something wrong with me given how the simplistic statement continued to set off a series of bottle rockets in every cell and muscle.

“Did you think I’d forgotten my promise?”

I laughed, the sound as fake as the hatred I’d tried to have for him. “I couldn’t care less about your promise.”

“I think you do. And I intend on making good on it. Now we need to get a few things very clear between us.”

“Sure. Why not? Only if you promise to tell me everything that you know about what’s going on.”

“I think you know more than I’ve been made aware of, sweet Sophia.” He shook his head and pulled away, kicking the door shut to the cabin before standing. “First things first, princess.”

When he offered his hand to help me up as he’d done before, I wanted so badly to reject him, but at this point my childish antics had to stop. I wasn’t solving anything by pretending I could get out of this situation by myself. I bit my lower lip then reached out toward him. He lifted a single eyebrow then dragged me to my feet. Then he ceremoniously raked his arm across the clothing I’d tossed on the table, pitching everything to the floor, then shoved me over the edge.

“What in the hell are you doing?”

“Ensuring you understand that you are required to follow my rules. And if you don’t, you’ll pay the price.”

I was shocked when he ripped at my shorts, the thin material tearing as he yanked them over my hips, able to snake them off my feet seconds later.

“Are you out of your mind?” I struggled, throwing back my arm, my fist catching him in the kidney.

“I thought I was perfectly clear in my expectations but apparently either you didn’t listen or you’re hardheaded.” He yanked off my panties next, then he tossed both aside.

I pushed up from the table, able to catch a glimpse of our reflection in the window. This was crazy, something that I refused to allow to happen. “Back down or so help me God, I’ll hurt you.”

He had the audacity to laugh before splitting my legs apart, pressing one hand down on the small of my back while I watched in horror in the window as he used the other one to unfasten his belt. This was crazy.

“You’ll have an opportunity later, princess. For now, I’m giving you a spanking. Maybe that will calm you down.”

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