Page 32 of Claimed

He wasstillterrifyingly gorgeous, of course.

This close his chiseled jaw, the sharp angles of his cheekbones, and the dark hair that framed his face like a shadow created this mesmerizing view.

I mean. . .if I had to be forced to marry anyone. . .well. . .looks alone. . .he would do. . .

But now, there was something else on his face, something that made my heart skip a beat. His full lips, which had been twisted into a snarl just moments before, relaxed into something softer, less menacing.

I could feel the tension in the room shift, like a weight being lifted off my shoulders, if only slightly.

The fear didn’t disappear entirely—I wasn’t foolish enough to let my guard down completely—but I found myself able to breathe again, and the tightness in my chest eased just a little.

Gianni took a step closer, now only allowing a mere four inches to rest between us.

His cologne rose to my nostrils—expensive wood, smoky musk, and a floral undertone.

And instead of the overwhelming dread I had felt before, I was left with a strange mixture of emotions—fear, yes, but also curiosity.

He reached out, and I flinched instinctively, expecting the worst. But his touch, when it came, was surprisingly gentle.

His fingers brushed a stray lock of hair away from my face, tucking it behind my ear with a tenderness that seemed at odds with everything I knew about him.

“Tell me something.” Gianni’s voice was no longer laced with anger but with something gentler, something almost. . .caring. “Why don't you want to marry me?”

“I heard that. . .you are called the Devil of Shadows.”

“I am.”

“That’s scary.”

“Fear serves a purpose in this world.”

“I’m scared I would marry into a life of abuse and fear—”

“No, Erica.” His voice grew steady. “I would never hurt you. I would sooner cut off my own hand than lay a finger on you in anger. You aremywife. You will be cherished, protected, loved. But understand this, I will never be the sort of man that is kind toothers. You must make peace with my being a monster. Yet, never forget that for you. . .well. . .I will always be different.”

I swallowed. “What if I do something that displeases you?”

A wicked smirk spread across his face. “There are ways to torture a woman that has nothing to do with pain.”

His words hung in the air—potent yet deliciously chilling.

I quirked my brows.

His voice lowered further into an intimate whisper that made me shiver in the most sensual way. “I can make your body want things, things you’ve never even imagined.”

I bit my lip.

“I could make you crave the darkness, even as you’re basking in the light.” The confidence and erotic power in his words made my stomach flip.

Even more, the whispered promises of dark pleasures danced in my mind, igniting a primitive curiosity within me. It was wrong—sinful even—but it was also undeniably enticing.

“Erica. . .it is unfortunate that you weren’t prepared for our wedding today. For that, I apologize, but. . .”

I widened my eyes.

“Youwillbe my wife, and the mother of my children.”

My bottom lip quivered. “Against my will?”