Page 8 of Abducted By the Mafia Don

In an instant, I’ve made a decision. I’m at the door, and I’ve turned the key, unlocking it.

Despite what happened tonight, I’m determined to be brave.

I don’t need to feelsaferin Dom’s house. He’s a tiger, and I want to run my hands through his fur, have his paws maul me, feel his sharp teeth on my neck. I like that he’s dangerous, and all that banked power as he crouched at my feet, ready to pounce.

There are some clothes left out, and I have a shower and then put them on. The bed is perfectly comfortable, and as soon as my head hits the pillow, I’m dreaming.

Dom

Pining. I’m fucking pining for this girl. Saving her, speaking with her, has only convinced me more that she’s a perfect match for me. And she’s a world away, safely behind a locked door.

That should satisfy me. She’s in my house, and no one can harm her.

So why do I want more? Why do crave forbidden, unspeakable things? She’s been through enough tonight without discovering that I’m obsessed with her.

I tell myself I’m going downstairs to make a cup of something to help me sleep. And I do. But I drink it in the kitchen, and trudge back upstairs with longing in my heavy heart.

I just need a reminder of the limits. All that’s required is to be clear why she’s not for me. A nudge that says,this girlcannot be yours tonight or ever. She’s too young, innocent, and good for a man like me.

Feeling the resistance of her locked door, the evidence of her fear, will do it.

I make silent footsteps to Taggie’s suite and stop before her bedroom door. She’s scared, I tell myself. She locked her door because I told her to if she needed to feel safe. This will be the evidence I need that I have to keep my distance.

I reach out and grasp the handle. Turning it... and… The door swings open.

Oh. Shit.

I am a good enough man to stay away from a frightened girl. I know I am. A girl who locked her door to protect herself.

But a brave girl who left her door open to me?

God help her. I cannot resist.

Taggie

In the dream, I’m reading a big hardback book. The story is about… I don’t know. The pages are turning too fast. I can’t read it.

“Taggie,” a man’s voice says. “Taggie.”

The pages turn faster and faster, the rub of them frantic.

“You’re so beautiful. I can’t help it. I want you so much.”

The pages flick, but they’re wet. It sounds wet now, like the paper is slick.

A low groan vibrates through me, coming from the book.

I open my eyes, and in the darkness, I could swear I see the silhouette of a man, standing over me, black eyes glistening like onyx.

I blink.

And then he’s gone, a dream. And my eyelids are heavy, so I drift back into sleep.

4

DOM

“Don.” My second-in-command opens my office door and hesitates. “I found the girl?—”