Page 11

I watched her from the entrance, my eyes boring into that brown pair of hers. She stood there, frozen in shock, her breath lodged in her throat, and even though she managed to hold my gaze, I could see the panic in her eyes.

I straightened, standing upright with a hand in my pocket, feeding off of her fear. She looked like a child caught sneaking into the kitchen late at night, unsure of the punishment that awaited her.

Her chest heaved slowly, her jaw tightened, and a faint frown settled on her face. She tried to mask her terror, but I could see right through her—I could see the discomfort she struggled so hard to conceal.

Her face grew pale as I moved further into the room, closing the distance between us.

The tension in the air thickened the closer I drew to her, anxiety wrapping around her like a noose.

However, in a heartbeat, she transformed her fear into rage, her eyes blazing with fury.

Her scowl deepened, and she glared at me with a balled fist.

The defiance she exuded was remarkable, and I thought for a second there that she was going to say something sassy. I expected her to fight me, to resist—to be on the offensive or at least craft some clever excuse. But she just stood there, casting an evil eye at me.

My gaze swept across her features as I paused in front of her, my expression dark and unreadable.

“Tell me, little Romano,” I began, my voice low and even, yet laced with a hint of venom.

“Did you really think that you could get away from me?” I asked, my fingers trailing over the edge of the window, my body serving as a deliberate barrier between her and the outside world.

She stood still, her chest rising and falling. I dared to lean in, my lips dangerously close to her ear. Her teeth gritted as if bracing herself, and her breath hitched in her throat.

My eyes roamed her body, her enticing figure shrouded underneath the white nightgown she had on. How did she intend to go far dressed like that? Even if I hadn’t gotten here on time, the gown would have slowed her down, and eventually, she’d get caught by one of the guards.

“There’s no escaping me, Romano,” I whispered in her ear, subtly but deliberately inhaling her scent—sweet and tempting. “The sooner you understand that, the better.” I pulled back my head, my eyes meeting hers.

She paused for a fleeting moment after her lips had parted. “You can’t keep me locked up in here forever.” Her voice was soft, almost inaudible.

“Maybe,” I said without breaking eye contact, my lips twitching at the corners. “But you should be careful because next time you pull a stunt like this, I won’t be so forgiving.”

“What stunt?” she asked, feigning ignorance, her eyes narrowing. “Are you insinuating that I was trying to escape? What proof do you have of that?” Her lawyer instinct kicked in, brows furrowing.

I tilted my head to the side, almost questioning myself for a moment, considering what a good argument she made.

“Just because you saw me standing by the window doesn’t mean that I was trying to run away,” she paused, letting her words sink in.

“Does this look like an outfit suitable for an escape plan?” Her hands gestured at the gown she had on.

“How far do you think I could’ve gotten before I got caught?

I thought you were smarter than that.” She folded her arms across her chest.

At this point, I couldn’t help but be impressed by the way she successfully turned this around. Clearly, she’d make a pretty good lawyer someday.

“Clever,” I muttered, a sly grin playing at the corners of my lips. I drew closer, intrigued by her brilliance. However, my expression darkened, and my eyes narrowed. “But make no mistake; if you try this again…there will be consequences,” I warned, holding her gaze.

Her lips parted slightly as though she were about to argue, but at the last second, she swallowed her words.

She pulled back by a whisper when I extended my hand, my fingers brushing against her jaw.

I traced the line of her skin, soft as silk beneath mine—big mistake.

The moment I touched her, I felt a spark ignite within me, and my heart paused for a second.

It was almost like there was a flutter in my chest that quickened my pulse, making my fingertips tingle.

I felt the shift in the atmosphere, felt my control slip ever so slightly, just enough to make me want her.

I shouldn’t have such emotions, such thoughts about her, but the more I lingered around her, the more I felt the charge—the urge to feel her, taste her.

My eyes darted down to her bosom, taking in the enticing sight of her cleavage, her gentle swells nestled behind the fabric of her dress.

My fingers traveled along her arm, her body subtly trembling at my touch.

I felt my shaft swelling in my pants, a sign, a warning that I was getting aroused by her.

Quietly, I withdrew, retaining my composure as I met her gaze, my expression still flat—unreadable.

The last thing I wanted was for her to find out just how attractive I thought she was.

That would be a bad idea, and I wasn’t ready for such complications at the moment.

“This is your new reality,” I said, my gaze sweeping across her body. “You belong to me now, and there’s no way out of here.”

She clenched her jaw, her eyes narrowing and brows furrowing.

I curled my lips into a sly grin and backed away from her.

“My father will find me,” she said after I turned to leave. “It’s just a matter of time before he figures out that you’re behind this. And when he does, he will come to get me.” Her voice was laced with conviction.

I chuckled, stopping in my tracks, and when I swiveled to face her, I caught a glimpse of that fire in her eyes.

“I admire your faith in your father.” I paused for a second before continuing.

“He received my little package, your hair strands, but unfortunately, he still hasn’t figured out who sent it to him. ”

“He will,” she replied almost immediately, her tone sharp and stern.

“Perhaps,” I said, snickering. “And I’m counting on that.

But in the meantime, I’ll savor his ignorance and revel in the fun of watching him lose his mind.

” I went silent for a while, my lips twitching at the corners.

“Do you know what else is fun?” I asked, comforted by the way she cast me an evil eye.

I leaned in and whispered in her face. “Toiling with my little prisoner.”

She glared at me, her cheeks red with fury and her eyes burning with hatred. But there was nothing that she or anyone could do about her current situation.

“Hate me all you want, Romano,” I said, withdrawing from her. “It still won’t change the fact that I own you.”

A self-satisfied smirk tugged at the corners of my lips as I turned around to leave her room.