Page 9

What the hell is going on?

My eyes closed tight again, forehead pressing into the firm muscles surrounding his spine. I didn't want to give up, I wasn't ready. But I was tired.

The tears began to fill my eyes, the fear of losing myself again to another man made me sick. I hated crying, and I had gotten really good at locking away the tears.

But all of this . . . It was just too much.

Haven't I been through enough?

What the fuck did I do to deserve this shit?

“Let go of my shirt.”

Opening my eyes, I hadn't realized in my momentary collapse that I had curled my fingertips into the fabric of his back, bunching it up in my palms.

Releasing my grip, I let my body dangle. I didn't want to admit defeat, but he wasn't letting me go. I was trapped—again.

The clank of a door broke the quiet of the hallway, the fresh air zipped in and filled my lungs. It felt good to be outside and out of that dungeon.

But how long would this last?

Taking a deep breath, the scent of mint and musk filled my nose. His cologne was enticing and infuriating all at the same time. I had this urge to breath him in more, and the need to push him away. I didn't like having that turmoil float itself into my brain.

This man had taken me, this man was holding me hostage. And I was supposed to hate him, not enjoy the way he smelled.

The energy I felt drain from my body came back in a wave of fire. The adrenaline purged my veins, wreaking havoc on my muscles. My legs flailed wildly, arms raining down on his back.

And still it did nothing.

Fuck! Fuck!

Dante's free hand dug in his pocket, the sound of keys jingling rang in my head. I heard the pop of a door, and felt his body start to lean over. Lifting a hand to my lower back, he flipped me over like a rag-doll, tossing me into the trunk of a car.

“No! No! Stop, please!” His glare set on my face, eyes empty but whole, lifeless yet alive.

Then black.

The lid was slammed shut, his feet making gentle taps as he walked around the car to the front. The engine surged to life, and I felt the ground shift beneath me.

This was day one to the end of a life I hated to begin with.

This was day one to a new life I never saw coming.

This was day one.

The day he made me his.