Page 58 of The Capo

“It’s the most important responsibility I’ve ever accepted, Delaney. I won’t fuck it up no matter how I feel.”

“Meaning we can’t be lovers.” The sadness in my tone was ridiculous.

“Meaning I’m your protector.”

The silence was as horrific as the anxiety building deep within. “I guess given you murdered a man for me, I should feel honored. Thank you for protecting me, Francois. And thank you for sharing Sadie with me. She’s so… special.” I turned away before he saw my tears. I had no right to feel sad. I shouldn’t be anything but grateful he was in my life if for no other reason than he’d provided me with a chance to continue on. I pressed myhand to my mouth; fearful sobs would give me away. I wasn’t as strong as he believed me to be.

I did believe in stupid fairytales, hopes and dreams that I’d had for as long as I could remember.

“What do you think this is doing to me?” he asked, his voice sounding distant.

“Meaning what?”

“You. This. Close proximity?” Now he was growling. “What do you think seeing you again, touching you, kissing you has done to me?”

I had no idea what to say, but the way my pulse was racing and the clamminess drifting across my skin was a clear indication of how I felt about him. I was falling hopelessly in love with someone who couldn’t stand the thought of being loved.

“Answer me!” he fought to say, the strain in his deep baritone evident.

“I don’t know. I guess I’d hoped you couldn’t resist me. But I do understand why you’re distant. My behavior had been childish. Selfish. I’ll ensure I don’t get in your way or break your rules. I’ve learned my lesson.”

The thumping of Sadie’s tail was all I could hear for a few seconds. When he said nothing, I folded my arms and headed for the doorway. At least in the lovely room he’d had Cecily make up for me, he wouldn’t be able to hear me cry.

“Come here.”

There wasn’t just a demand in the two words but something much darker, as if he’d broken free from chains holding him.

“It’s okay. I’ll stay in my room.”

“I said. Come. Here. Now. Do not make me say it again.”

I spun around, trying not to react to the dramatic change in his expression, his nostrils flaring like a wild animal and his chest heaving. “What do you want?” I found myself walking closer, unable to feel my feet. “What? Just tell me.”

His grip on the thick glass was nothing like the one he used on my arm, jerking me forward, knocking the breath from both of us. “Everything. I won’t let you go, Delaney. You are mine. The fire you started will never be extinguished. God help us both for what we’re about to do.”

CHAPTER 17

Delaney

Everything.

The single word held such a powerful meaning that I was awestruck. Yet when he powered back the remainder of his drink, tossing the glass aside as if it meant nothing to him, I started quivering in his hold. He didn’t care if I had time to process the raw emotions around his statement or the meaning.

He crushed his mouth over mine with such ferocity, I couldn’t think clearly. And in truth, I didn’t want to any longer. All the pent-up feelings, the dark emotions and fear came rushing forward in that moment, the horror of what we were facing no longer mattering.

If only for a little while.

The taste of him was electrifying, shooting tingles through every muscle. He drank from my mouth as if he was a man dying of thirst, stuck in the middle of the Sahara Desert. And I clung to him as if he was my lifeline. I longed to rip off every inchof clothing, pressing our heated bodies together, but he would never allow me to be in charge even for a moment.

As flashing lights formed in my periphery of vision, I allowed myself to swoon in his hold. When he finally broke the sweet moment of passion, I whimpered immediately, the loss of his lips almost too much to bear. He rubbed his thumb across my lips roughly, his chest rising and falling.

“Hear me, Delaney. I’m going to taste and take what I want, beautiful doll. I’m fed up with waiting. I’m not a patient man.”

“Don’t be,” I told him.

“This is your last chance to walk away from me. This will destroy your father. There will be no friendship. It will strain your relationship.”

“I know.” My whisper was breathless, the slight tremor giving him pause. “This is my life, Francois. No one, including my father can make the choice for me.”

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