Page 124 of Stolen Temptation

The guilt crashes over me, dragging me under.

“I have to admit, I’m impressed you actually escaped your cage.” He chuckles darkly. “I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw the security footage.”

My gaze, bleary with an unending flow of tears, falls to my empty hands.

A second later, Leo’s rough paw knots in my hair. He pulls until a small cry of pain spurts between my lips.

He shoves my head until I slide off the seat onto the floor.

“You owe me an apology,bug.” He thrusts my head away, and my back hits the row of seats in front of us. “Do you know how many people I had to execute after you fled?” He holds up his empty hand and wiggles his fingers. “Lost five men because of your little rebellion. And tracking your pissant self was a bitch and a half.”

He leans forward, sneering down at me. “I knew you’d go to that stupid bookstore. Your old bodyguard told me you used to stop there during every visit to the city.”

He spits, his saliva landing on my jean-clad thigh.

I don’t even have it in me to feel disgusted.

My entire spirit is crushed.

I sit there, silent, head whirling through space and time with no direction and no end in sight. I’m an empty shell.

Still, the weight of Leo’s gaze drills into my face.

I know I should be afraid for my own safety, but what’s the point of fear?

Pain and suffering are an inevitability, now that I’m back in Leo’s clutches.

I’m frozen, my entire soul a block of ice.

My head spins faster and faster as I just stare at the spit on my jeans.

“Enzo always said that if you hadn’t been good with a paintbrush, then you would have been dead a long time ago.” Leo laughs, taking another puff from his cigar. “He promised me I could do the honors if you ever stopped earning your keep.”

My gaze slowly drifts up to Leo’s smug, ugly face.

He looks so proud of himself.

“As much as I’d enjoy killing you, the money I’ll make when I hand you over to the Petrovs will be sweeter. About a thousand times sweeter.” A sick smile spreads across his face, like he’s enjoying a private joke. “They’re one of the most powerful families in the city, and they bought you in the auction, Kiara. You should be honored.”

The numbness creeping through me like a toxic fog dulls the horror of that announcement.

We fly through the short tunnel entrance that leads back to the De Luca estate.

How did we get back here so fast?

How did every moment of my life lead me back here?

The SUV skids to a stop around the center fountain in the courtyard.

“Take her and get her cleaned up,” Leo orders someone outside the SUV. “Then bring her downstairs. She’s made them wait long enough.”

Them?

I turn toward my brother’s horrible voice.

Is he saying the people he sold me to are here at the house? Waiting for me?

Sweat breaks out on the back of my neck as a short blond woman I’ve never seen before gently grasps my arm.