Page 17 of Corrupt Crown

Damn you to Hell, you intoxicating devil.

I ignore it and focus on the plan I’m formulating. “May I at least use the restroom before we leave?”

I blink slowly once, twice, three times, praying to God he takes the bait. His nostrils flare as his forehead creases, but he nods sharply as I force my features to remain indifferent.

“Be quick.”

I send him a gracious smile. “Thank you, Rafe.”

Then, I turn in the direction of the ladies' restroom at the rear of the bar area.

Once inside, I quickly climb up onto the washbasin, reaching for the small window above it that I knew was there from earlier this week. It gives way easily, and I hoist myself up, panting as I wiggle my way outside.

My palms grasp the moonlit grass surrounding the hotel as I scramble, huffing and puffing heavily until my entire body is free.

Elation fills my chest, and a broad smile breaks across my face just as two impeccably clean Italian leather loafers enter my vision.

I pound my fist against the ground in frustration, barking an expletive. “Motherfucker!”

Tipping my head back, I look up along familiar beige chinos, my gaze traveling over the well-fitted, still-damp white collarless shirt up into the dark eyes of Rafe.

“You don’t seem pleased to see me so soon.” He quirks an eyebrow. “Need a hand?”

I blow out an exasperated breath, rolling over onto my back to stare up into his smug, handsome face with a scowl. “Go fuck yourself.”

He just smiles darkly with a deep chuckle. “I’ll be thinking of you as I do,Stellina.”

The laughter drops off his face when I snake out my fist, striking a glancing blow between his muscular thighs before clambering to my feet. I get all of two feet before a powerful forearm wraps around my waist. Rafe’s scent envelops my senses, and I struggle aimlessly against his hold.

Before I can loosen a shout for help, a palm covers my mouth as I’m pushed forward against the wall of the hotel I’ve just escaped from.

“I know I said I’d never take your choice, Miss Rivers, but I’m afraid…”

As he trails off, I feel a pinch on the side of my neck. The world becomes blurry, and Rafe’s voice feels strangely far away as darkness consumes me. “I have no choice myself this time.”

My eyelids inch open,only to slam closed against the brightness. I try again, slower this time, allowing myself a moment to adjust.

I’m in a large room, face down on a bed that feels like clouds covered in white cotton sheets.

Sunlight pours in through two double doors covered in sheer white gauze, leading to a terrace that houses a table and twochairs. I push down on the nausea that churns in my stomach as my mind races, desperately trying to remember where I am.

A light, sweet floral scent fills my nostrils as the plentiful sunshine warms my aching body.

I lift my head from the wondrously soft pillow beneath my cheek, wincing slightly at the ache in my neck from lying in this position.

It takes me a long moment to remember escaping and being caught by Rafe. The pinch on my neck…

The bastard must have drugged me.

At the realization, a strange concoction of panic and indignation builds within me as I run my fingertips over the spot, checking for evidence of my suspicion but finding none.

“Signorina?”

An Italian-accented female voice chimes out, and I twist my head to see a petite young woman standing in the open doorway, holding what appears to be a tray of food.

“I’m Maria.” She smiles softly. “Don Rafael sent me.”

My eyes blow wide open.