Page 6 of Abducted By the Mafia Don

When I turn back to her, she’s looking up at me, and I know how the sun must feel gazing down on a single, perfect sunflower. I’m this fiery dangerous far-off angry ball of exploding reactions, and she’s a delicate thing that would be burned to charred remains if she comes too close. But the way she tilts herself towards the threat makes me want to protect her even more.

The daughter of Thaxted.

It’s almost Shakespearian. My only love sprung from my only hate.

“You’re welcome.” I’m hoarse with emotion. “It’s late. You should call your grandmother, but I insist you stay the night.”

“I couldn’t, I’ll get a taxi?—”

“Iinsist.” My voice drops to a rough growl.

She presses her lips together, and nods.

My poor body is tensing and relaxing like this is a fucking stress test for a lump of steel. Which to be honest, is the current status for my shoulders, spine, and cock. I gesture for her to go ahead of me, and direct her up the grand main staircase to the upper floor.

“I hope this will be comfortable for you.” I shove the door open, revealing a bedroom, with adjoining library, sitting room, and ensuite bathroom through arched doorways. “All the connecting rooms are for your use. Feel free to look around.”

Her intake of breath is gratifying as she takes it in.

Every detail was hacked and stolen from her life. I am a monstrous bowerbird, making a perfectly decorated nest for my female, hoping to lure her in.

I told myself it was to understand her better, but it wasn’t. It was in the hope of that reaction. Delight.

Though the inevitable questions will be less welcome, and I have the perfect excuse for not answering them now.

“Sleep well. One more thing.” The temptation of her nearby is too much for my threadbare control. “Lock your door.”

She blinks at me in shock.

“If you need to feel safer,” I add, trying to sound reasonable. “You’ve been through a lot. Barricade it if necessary. But I guarantee you are safe in this house.”

“Okay.” She nods.

“You understand?” I repeat. “Lock the door.”

3

TAGGIE

I look up into his face, and the scars and his fathomless dark eyes are beautiful in a way I can’t explain.

“Yes. I understand.” But I don’t.

“Good.” He turns abruptly, strides down the hallway and takes the stairs two at a time. Like he can’t wait to get away from me.

I squash the feeling of disappointment, because for an evening that was a nightmare, it’s really done a switch.

How did I get so lucky? I’ve fallen into a dream.

This room is unbelievable.

Sometimes people say that about a cake, or a pair of jeans, or a news story. But those things aren’t unbelievable. They’re usually exactly what you’d expect.

But this… No. I can hardly trust my eyes. There’s no explanation.

It really is baffling.

The kingpin of Richmond has a suite of rooms—not just one room, oh no—that are stuffed full of everything I’ve ever wished for. It’s almost as big as the house I share with Granny.