Page 76 of Deceptive Desires (The Syndicate #2)

Cecilia

Today’s been normal… or at least it would be if I didn’t feel eyes on me all day.

I’m going crazy looking around the empty café.

No one’s here. I close in five minutes. But even being the only employee closing tonight with no customers in this empty café, I still feel eyes on me. Which is impossible.

No one is here.

And yet, I glance out the window again.

Screw it.

I lock the door, too paranoid to continue. No one comes in this late anyway. I turn off the lights for the main room and head to the back.

I put away some boxes in the back room, then once that room is ready for closing, I come back out to the main room.

And scream.

Because a man stands in the middle of the café.

A man in all black. Tactical pants and a t-shirt.

A man with a buzz cut and tattoos.

A man I’d know in any lighting, even in this darkness.

“Roman,” I breathe out, not believing my eyes.

He inhales and closes his eyes, like he’s savoring the sound of his name.

“I’ve found you, sunshine,” he says in a voice so lethal, it sends shivers down my spine.

But maybe those shivers aren’t just from his wicked voice. Because I don’t think my damp panties are either.

“How did you find me?” I ask, still in a daze.

“Your little lying bastard of a friend confessed with his last words,” he says calmly as if this is a normal conversation, but it’s not. Because there is no normal between us. Not anymore.

“So, it’s not true? About you? And your family? You’re not killers? You didn’t ruin my life?” Hope bleeds into my voice.

If he tells me I have it all wrong, if he can explain it… I’ll forgive him in an instant. I’ll go home with him, and everything will go back to how it was.

I want that more than anything.

“He lied about a few things. I never drugged you. He did. That’s why I tortured him.

And his reasoning was wrong with some things.

But for the most part, it’s true. I am a monster.

A killer. And I’ve done terrible things to get you.

To keep you.” His face morphs into a wicked grin I’ve never seen before.

It’s sinister and evil. Nothing like my gentle giant.

“But know this, sunshine. You will never get away from me again. You will never have the opportunity again. Because you’re mine. ”

“You’re fucking crazy!” I raise my voice, trying to fight his words.

“Oh sunshine, you haven’t seen crazy yet.” His face sours, and he tsks. “And don’t curse. It’s not you. My Cecilia doesn’t say foul things.”

“Your Cecilia doesn’t exist anymore. You ruined her. You ruined me! My name is Emily,” I protest.

“Cecilia, you’re being unreasonable,” he scolds me.

“My name is Emily Ricci!” I scream it this time.

“NO, IT’S NOT! YOU DON’T HAVE THAT BASTARD’S LAST NAME!” Roman roars, then takes a calming breath. “Your name is Cecilia María álvarez Rivera. And before the day is done, it will be Cecilia María Montclair.”

“You’re insane,” I whisper as I back away further behind the counter, grateful for the barrier. My palms start to sweat as the realization that I truly don’t know this man washes over me. My hero would never yell at me. Never curse at me. This man truly is a monster.

He only chuckles at my words then takes a step towards me, and my heart pounds. I don’t know if it’s from fear… or excitement. But I have to stop him. I can’t be near him.

I hold up my hand in a halting motion. “Stay the fuck away, you bastard! Don’t take another step!” I demand.

“We’ve been over this. My Cecilia doesn’t curse. And she especially doesn’t curse her husband out.” He slowly starts moving again, approaching the counter separating us. “And I am insane. Of course I’m insane. You make me insane!”

Then he effortlessly jumps over it.

I back up further, but for each step I take away from him, he takes one double in length towards me.

I turn and sprint, trying to get to the back room.

But in less than a second, he has me in his arms. He turns me to face him, and this close, it’s difficult to refuse him. Too difficult.

Because while my brain knows Roman is a monster, my eyes still see my hero.

He loops one of my wavy strands around his finger and glides through it. He tucks it behind my ear, then fists the hair on the back of my head.

I look up and meet his gaze.

It’s the biggest mistake I could make.

His eyes glance down at my mouth.

I hitch a breath as I glance at his.

Then he pounces.

His lips descend upon mine in the hungriest kiss we’ve ever had. It’s frantic and harsh. He’s claiming me.

He’s always been a gentle lover, but this is far from that. It just reminds me that I’m kissing the Monster Montclair.

And despite it all, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him in closer. I respond eagerly to his kiss. I’m not strong enough to resist the man I love. Not when he’s kissing me like this.

His tongue parts my lips, and I greedily grant him entrance. The moment our tongues touch, a shiver shoots down my spine.

Starting from a prick on my neck.

Then the world fades.

And I’m falling into his arms.

“Now, you’re coming home,” I hear a faraway voice say as I succumb to darkness.