Page 42 of My Sweetest Obsession

The sight on the screen was enough to make my blood boil. Those bastards had stripped her naked and beat her mercilessly, their cruelty knowing no bounds. I watched, horrified, as they burned her delicate skin with a lighter.

“You motherfucker!” I roared. “You’ll pay for this! I swear to fucking god, you'll pay for this.” I flipped over the table, sending it crashing to the ground with my drink, spilling it in a chaotic splash. Luca's face drained of color as he witnessed my raw anguish.

My dog erupted into a frenzied howl, his wild cries echoing in the room as if he’d completely lost his senses. I stumbled over to the window and placed one hand on the cool glass, my head lowered, the phone pressed against my ear.

“Such passion,” the Puppet Master mocked. “But passion won’t save her.” And with that, the line went silent.

My world tilted, the revelation hitting me like a bullet to the chest.

With a heavy heart, I sank to the floor, pulling my knees up and bowing my head between my legs while holding the phone on top of my head.

“Nico,” Luca gasped. But I couldn’t focus on his concern right now; my mind was a raging inferno, fueled by anger and grief. I had to channel every ounce of that fury into finding my girl and bringing her back home, back to the safety I had failed to provide her with before. But deep down, she had never been truly safe, had she?

Luca’s phone dinged.

“Alphonse’s here.”

My eyelids fluttered open against the harsh reality, the dim cell coming into focus as I fought against the lingering fog in my mind. The cold concrete floor offered no comfort, its rough surface biting into my bare skin. Panic seized me as fragments of the most recent events flooded my consciousness, but I clung to the sound of a familiar voice and the memory ofthatspecial night.

The night Nico made me feel as if I were the most precious thing in his world; his touch was gentle, his eyes sparkled with lust and adoration—all of it grounded me like an anchor to his soul.

Flashback

I stepped into Nico's office, my bare feet quietly touching the hardwood flooring, and locked the door behind me. I leaned against it, my black heels dangling from my fingers.

We were heading out to the symphony, and I could hardly contain my excitement. I chose his favorite red dress and let my hair down in soft, wavy curls.

God, he looked sexy in his black dress shirt rolled up to his elbows, revealing the tattoos on both arms, along with a black vest and tie.

As if he could sense me in the room, he lifted his gaze, his ocean-blue eyes locking with mine, a smirk playing on his lips. He reclined against the leather chair, interlacing his fingers and resting them on his stomach.

“Angel,” he greeted, his voice a low rumble. “You never fail to take my breath away. You look stunning.”

My heart fluttered at the admiration in his tone.

“Thank you,” I replied, pushing off the door. My hips swayed in a natural rhythm, drawing his attention. His eyes trailed down my body, taking in every detail. He swiveled his chair, following my movements like a silent predator assessing his prey.

I closed the distance between us, stopping mere inches away. “I need your help.” I offered him one of the heels. “Could you please help me put them on?”

Nico’s eyebrow quirked in amusement, his grin widening. “Help put on your shoes?” he parroted.

I nodded, my eyes holding his. “Yes,” I purred.

He laughed softly, shaking his head, but he didn't question me.

Nico grasped the shoe and leaned in closer. His warm hand cradled the back of my foot and slid the stiletto around my foot. His eyes locked with mine, sending a wave of pleasure through my body. I almost came in my panties from his intense gaze alone. That was how much power he wielded over me.

I raised my foot and positioned the heel against his chest. It caught him off guard, forcing him to lean back into his chair.

Nico’s eyes darkened, a mixture of desire and amusement flashing across his face.

“You forgot to strap the heel,” I joked.

His lips curled into a smile.

My breath hitched as Nico's fingers grazed my ankle, eliciting a subtle shiver from me. His focus was unwavering as he secured the straps, his blue orbs holding me captive.

I felt my cheeks flush as my body responded to his touch, craving more. It was ridiculous how his touch made me feel sexy and alive. The idea that a man like Nico, with his dangerous reputation as a mafia king and a cold stone killer, could want me was intoxicating.