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"They stopped being family when they tried to sell me to a monster," I say, crossing my arms over my chest, trying to create a barrier between us. "When they chose profit over people's lives." My eyes linger at his mouth.
I swallow hard and look away, confused by my reaction. This is ridiculous. He snatched me. He's dangerous.
"You're shivering," he observes, misreading my body's betrayal. "Cold?"
"I'm fine," I snap, annoyed at myself more than him.
I force myself to look at the disaster-zone breakfast. My stomach growls despite its questionable appearance.
"Eat if you want to." Alessio nods toward the tray. "So you want to work with us? That makes things much easier since you're volunteering. Although…" his eyes narrow slightly "...I'm not a big fan of people who betray family."
The coffee scalds my tongue but the pain helps sharpen my focus. I set the cup down with more force than necessary.
"My father appears to be a monster who kills innocent people," I say, gaining strength with each word. "He and Raymond traffic human beings and harvest their organs. They're not family—they're criminals." I take a step towards him, abandoning all pretense of interest in the food. "Besides, I don't give a damn what you're a big fan of. You abducted a bride, remember? You don't get to judge my moral choices."
Something feral flashes in his eyes. In two swift strides he's in front of me, close enough that I have to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact. His proximity steals the air from my lungs.
"If we're going to work together on this," he says, in that low rumble again, "you need to keep your smart mouth shut."
His thumb caresses his bottom lip as he studies me, and I find myself momentarily transfixed. The hard power of the one against the fleshy fullness. I can’t help but imagine….
"I don't respond well to orders," I snip, without any conviction at all.
His bottomless-pit eyes bore into mine, unyielding. The corner of his mouth lifts in what might be amusement or disdain—I can't tell which is worse.
"You don't have a choice either way,piccola." His voice wraps around the Italian endearment like velvet over steel. "We'll work together but make no mistake—Iwillbe giving the orders."
My fingers gouge into my sides. The rational part of my brain knows he's right—I'm in no position to negotiate terms. But something in me refuses to surrender completely.
"And if I don't agree to your terms?" I challenge, lifting my chin despite the pounding of my pulse.
Alessio steps even closer, eliminating what little space remained between us. Heat radiates from his body and I fight the urge to lean back.
"Then I'll work with what I have anyway," he says with a casual shrug that somehow feels more threatening than any raised voice. "The USB drive, the information you've already shared. I have people but your cooperation would make things... smoother. For everyone."
The implied threat hangs in the air between us.
"Fine," I concede, hating how easily he's backed me into a corner. "But I want something in return."
His eyebrow arches. "You're not exactly in a position to make demands."
"Call it a request, then." I take a leveling breath. "I want your word that when this is over—when Raymond and my father are dealt with—you'll let me go. With enough resources to disappear and start over somewhere new."
Alessio studies me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. His thumb rubs his bottom lip as he considers my offer and once again, I'm totally discombobulated by that small move.
"We'll see," he finally says. "If your information is as valuable as you claim, and if you behave yourself, perhaps we can come to an arrangement."
It's not the promise I wanted but it's better than nothing.
I watch her closely, cataloging every micro-expression. The way her pupils dilate when I move close. Maybe from fear.
This woman is dangerous—not because she's physically threatening but because she's smart. Too smart.
"Before we go any further with this arrangement," I say, "I need to know something. If you access your laptop and that USB, can they track your location?"
"They could," she says after a moment. "Before I open the laptop, I'd need to take precautions."
"What kind of precautions?"