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“You got some explaining to do, Stalker.”

36

Alessio

I grab her arm and hoist her body over my shoulder. Her fists hammer at my back, legs kicking. “Alessio!” She smacks me again. “Put me down!”

She can kick, scream, and claw at me all she wants. It won’t change a damn thing; it only fuels the fire burning under my skin.

Heads turn as we pass, but no one’s stupid enough to say anything or step in. They know better.

TheGrottohas two exits, the main one through the casino and another that leads straight to the lot. I take the direct route, pushing through the doors with Liv still struggling in my arms.

When I reach the car, I drop her onto her feet, not gently.She needs to understand how dangerous her little stunt was. The second her heels hit the pavement, she looks up at me, green eyes blazing with fire. Her lipspart, about to let out whatever smartass comment she’s holding.

But that’s not happening. I plant my hands on the car, caging her in. Her chest rises and falls, lips still parted.

“You’re in fucking trouble,” I growl.

She swallows but stands her ground. “For what?” she fires back, pressing her palms against me like she thinks she can push me away. Liv’s playing with fucking fire, and she knows it.

“For leaving without protection,” I snap. “For walking into that damn casino, surrounded by men who’d love to get their hands on you. For thinking you could pull this shit and not deal with the fucking consequences.”

“I don’t see what the big deal is,” she pushes, full of sass.

“That’s because you didn’t see every bastard in there eye-fucking you,” I growl. Just thinking about it makes my hands twitch. The urge to go back and fight every man who looked at her, then rip out their fucking eyes out so they can’tlook at her again.

Her lips curl into that smirk that drives me insane. “Aww, baby, are you jealous?”

I laugh bitterly and shake my head, stepping closer until her back hits the car. “I’m not jealous, Liv,” I tellher, grabbing her chin and tilting her face to me. “You can only be jealous when something isn’t yours.”

Her brow lifts like she wants to challenge me, but she doesn’t.

“I’m territorial,” I say, holding her stare. “Big fucking difference.”

Her lips part again, maybe to argue or toss out another bratty comment—but I spin her around, pressing her chest against the hood of my Rolls-Royce Ghost. My fingers slide up her thigh, dragging her dress to her waist. My palm comes down on her ass hard.

Liv gasps, her body jolting against the car. Her hands brace herself on the hood, nails scraping the paint.

I land another spank on her other cheek, watching her skin turn a deep, satisfying red. I grab her by the throat and pull her back against me, my lips grazing her ear. “Get in the car. Now.”

I don’t let her answer. I keep my grip firm on her throat as I walk her to the passenger side, only letting go when I open the door.

Liv takes a step forward, then stops. “What about the car I drove here?”

“I’ll have it picked up,” I bite out, pushing her into the seat and slamming the door shut. I don’t give a shit what she drove. It’s the least of my concerns right now.

I round the hood, climb into the driver’s seat barefoot, shirtless, with blood still smeared across my knuckles. Rage burns under my skin. The whole ride is silent. I white-knuckle the steering wheel with my jaw clenched so tight it aches. Liv doesn’t say a word, she just stares out the window, fully aware she fucked up.

Pulling into the garage, I kill the engine. She reaches for the handle, but she’s too slow.

I’m out first, dragging her out and hauling her over my shoulder again. Her fists pound against my back, but they are weaker now. I take the stairs two at a time, slapping her ass mid-struggle, earning a soft gasp.

I don’t head for the bedroom. I take her to my other room. The one she calls my den of sin.

We’ve played with plenty of things, but I’ve never fucked her in here. I never brought her back since the day I caught her snooping around. I wasn’t sure she could handle it.

But tonight isn’t about play. It’s about punishment. And she’s damn well going to feel it.