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“I already told you. An alliance. Now, if you want to keep your brother safe, you’re going to do as I tell you to.”

“Which is?” I was determined to gut the man.

“You’re going to leave with me quietly and without attracting any attention. We’ll have a nice, uninterrupted conversation and you’ll accept the punishment I dole out for what you did to my property. After that, if we come to an agreement, I’ll have Marco brought home.”

I closed my eyes, trying to weigh the odds of being able to get away. I couldn’t risk Marco or Bella being hurt and if gunfire erupted, innocent people would be killed.

“Don’t think about it,” he continued. “You wouldn’t want all these nice people to get hurt. Now, would you?”

“I’m going to kill you if it’s the last thing I do on this earth.”

He laughed softly, even sighing as if he’d already won the battle. I wasn’t certain I had any other choice but to go with him. I couldn’t risk Marco’s safety.

“What’s your decision, Genevieve?”

There was a definitive sound to the way he said my name and that scared me to death. “Fine, you fucking horrible monster. I’ll go with you.”

“Good girl. Somehow, I knew you’d see it my way.”

CHAPTER 12

Genevieve

A prisoner.

If I thought I was being held captive in my own house before, the thought of being taken by Jago brought reality into my mind. This was a vicious game being played, but I’d perpetuated it with my antics. I’d thought I’d been smart, able to convince him with the use of force that I wasn’t someone he wanted to tangle with.

I’d been so very wrong.

There was no way of knowing where Marco had been taken. The vehicle he’d been shoved into had driven away before I’d been ceremoniously led to an awaiting SUV. While his actions had been brazen, there’d been too many people for any of my men to notice I was being escorted by the enemy. He’d appeared just like so many other mourners.

I’d been remiss in having both the church and the cemetery surrounded as Antonio had recommended I do. That showedme just how much I had to learn about this toxic and highly dangerous business.

As the driver pulled through the gates heading toward Jago’s house, I twisted my hand around my dress. I’d never felt more vulnerable. He’d even had the forethought of searching my purse, finding the weapon I’d carried with me.

The buff soldier pulled to a stop and the soldier sitting on the passenger seat in the front jumped out, immediately opening Jago’s door. I didn’t bother attempting to get out. I knew my actions would be handled roughly.

Jago opened my door, holding out his hand, which I ignored. I was perfectly capable of doing this by myself. Almost as soon as I grabbed my purse, he took it from my hand.

“I wouldn’t want you getting any ideas, Genevieve. This isn’t a social call.”

“Whatever you say. Darling,” I chided.

He grinned as if all I did was to amuse him but insisted on placing his hand on the small of my back as he led me toward his front door. Since it was still daylight, I’d been able to gather a better representation of how massive the stone was that surrounded the property. There would be no easy way of escape.

Once inside, he led me to the same room I’d been in before. I felt no comfort being inside, especially when he closed the door leaving us alone.

After tossing my purse onto a table, he took off his jacket without saying anything, pitching it across the back of a chair. The tie was next and as he began to unbutton the collar of his shirt,I couldn’t help but watch him. Even the simple actions were highly sensual.

When he removed a pair of gorgeous cufflinks, taking the time to place them gingerly on his desk, I shifted from foot to foot. I’d never felt so uncomfortable being in anyone’s space. I didn’t have the advantage I had before, my soldiers likely just figuring out I’d disappeared.

“You won’t be able to get away with this,” I told him as he started to roll his sleeves up his forearms.

Seeing how muscular and defined they were had a detrimental effect on me. My nipples immediately swelled, my heart fluttering just like it had done before. I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off the tattoos on his arms, longing to slide the tip of my finger along the intricate design.

“I assure you that I can and I will. In fact, you’ll help me do that.”

“Not a chance.”