Page 70 of Red Retaliation

Oh yes, Red affects my physical senses in ways I don’t appreciate. It shows how dangerous blurring the line between logic and physical is. But how could I be so stupid to forget even for a moment what this man is really like?

The memory of how his mouth felt on mine storms into my head and I shove it away, angry at myself for being such an easily led, weak person.

I didn’t think I could resent this man any more, but I do. I also havethe additional bonus of hating myself more than I already did.

I kissedhim, and that I can’t excuse.

I pull the sheet even higher over my head in a futile attempt to hide from my shame.

Stupid, stupid.

Everything he’s done - all the things I’d started to think had decent motives were instead part of an intricately planned game to draw me in. And he succeeded. Red has drawn me in; made me believe he isn’t as bad as his reputation dictates; lulled me into being his puppet, when he’s really only using me to splinter and weaken my family and their connections so he can reap the benefits.

Getting overheated, I tug the sheet off my head and take a long, deep breath of air.

Now I’m trapped; married to an enemy and cut off from my family.

Tears spring to my eyes at the base disappointment in my Papà’s eyes.“You chose to turn your back on your family...”

His words ricochet around my head like poison darts. Red has made my family believe I’m a traitor and betrayed them, when it couldn’t be further from the truth.

My eyes narrow. Red will not win. I’ll find a way to make my family understand what really happened. Yes, it’s true I came here in the first place, but it was to savethem. I’ll explain what Roberto did; I’ll tell them the truth abouteverything. It will work out. It has to because...

Hearing the en-suite door unlock, I stiffen.

Earlier, Red steamed in here in a foul mood. He didn’t even look at me, let alone hear what I wanted to say, but he’s not getting out of it this time. Being as I’m trapped in this bedroom with him tonight for the first time, he’ll listen to what a piece of shit he really is!

A plume of steam escapes from the en-suite as Red enters the bedroom. “I’ve done everything you asked, yet you’ve ruined my relationship with my family. What do you gain from destroying people?”

Red moves across the bedroom, the pure white towel wrapped around his hips accentuating the contours of his muscled torso. “You’re better off not knowing what’s really going on.”

My rant peters out as my blind fury diminishes along with the steam.

What the actual...?

Red continues to talk, but I’m not listening because my traitorous eyes remain somewhere around his well-defined abs, then move of their own accord down his trim stomach leading to the “V” disappearing under theedge of the towel... A line of dark hair runs down from his navel to...

His body... it’s... it’smagnificent!

The suits he wears makes his physique look impressive, yet that’s a mere snippet of what’s actually underneath.

This is not good.

My cheeks are hot. Oh God, I hope I’m not blushing. I can’t give obvious signs that his body is... well...

It is then that what he’s actually said seeps into my wandering mind. Turning my gaze to his face, I immediately wish I hadn’t. His loose hair drips wet trails down his tattoo-covered chest, along with the tattoo I’ve seen hints of underneath his collar.

No! Forget it. I’m not walking into the trap again. I’m not interested in the pictures adorning his body of sin. “You have no right making out I’ve betrayed my family,” I spit, remembering my focus. “You...”

“Oh, for Christ’s sake!” Red sighs. “Give it a fucking rest! I’ve got a splitting headache. I’ve had a shit day and...”

“You’vehad a shit day?” I scream. “You’ve ostracized me, and for what? Control?”

Red strides over to the wardrobe and pulls out some underwear. I watch him slip the white briefs on under his towel.

“Ialreadycontrol you, Arianna. Believe what you want, but the situation isn’t as clear as you think.”

“You don’t control me!” I scream. “I’ll never be controlled again after...”