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This surprises him again. Okay, seriously. What’s going on with this dude? You know, for a big, bad mafia guy, I would have thought he’d have some semblance of understanding as to how humans work. If you capture a girl and take over her life, she’s usually going to have questions about that. Sometimes there will be a lot of questions.

“It’s because of my dad, isn’t it?”

He nods.

“You met with him this week, didn’t you?”

Another nod.

Okay, he’s still not talking, but that’s okay. I can keep guessing as long as he lets me. As long as Ian wants to keep quiet, I can guess. It seems like he’s willing to answer my questions. Maybe he’s just too tired to offer up information. My face hurts. Pain is radiating from my ear to my cheek to my chin. Even my teeth hurt. He didn’t knock anything loose. It’s just pretty sore. I take a deep breath, and then I ask again.

“You met with my father to discuss your shared business. I know you two work together. You’ve combined a company or two.” I don’t know the exact details. “You’re business partners, at least on paper, but my dad has upset you. I don’t know why you hate him. I just know that you kidnapped his daughter, fucked her brains out, and then returned her. After that you abducted slash saved her. Now you’re marrying her. He must have really upset you.”

“He did,” Ian says. “And you’re not as stupid as he says you are.”

“My father has always underestimated me,” I mutter. In some cases, being underestimated is deserved. My dad hasn’t always paid me a lot of attention, but in some ways, I’ve reveled in my own ignorance. I’ve turned a blind eye to some of the things my father does. That hasn’t done me any favors. Obviously.

“Your father knows that you’re here,” he tells me.

“He does? You told him?”

“I did,” Ian nods. He stands back up now, presumably tired of squatting. He offers me a hand and tugs me to my feet. I’m still covered in bubbles and now there are some bubbles on the carpet. I look down sheepishly. Hopefully, those bubbles aren’t going to ruin the rug.

“I’m sorry about your rug.”

He tilts my chin up. “I’m more sorry you disobeyed me, flower.”

Heat fills my body, threatening to overtake me.Don’t do it, I silently urge myself.Don’t get turned on by this. Ian has made me come so many times that it’s not funny, but that’s not what I need right now. What I need is...

Well, I just need answers.

“Why did you tell my father about me?”

Ian laughs.

“I told him to piss him off.” He leans in close and licks my cheek. His tongue is hot against my skin. “And it worked.”