Page 100 of Tainted Obsession 1

“What are you thinking?” Evelyn murmurs, trailing her soft fingers through my hair. The light scrape of her nails over my scalp sends tingles down my spine. “Tell me about your dream.”

I shake my head. I will never tell her about that awful night. There are some darker details about my past that she doesn’t need to know. She would turn from me in revulsion, and I can’t bear that.

“Look at me,” she cajoles, tugging lightly at my hair.

My eyes lock on hers. They glitter through the darkness of the night, capturing the city lights that shine through the dimmed floor to ceiling window. The stars in her eyes are stunning, hypnotic.

“I’m not a good man,” I hear myself confess, the truth drawn from deep in my soul.

I’ve always known it, but I’ve never allowed myself to contemplate it. I’m unapologetic of my violent lifestyle because I know the darker truths of the world.

But my parents would be ashamed of what I’ve become. And now, I cling to precious Evelyn with bloodstained hands.

“I can’t change what I am. But I will be good to you. I swear.”

“I don’t want you to change,” she says in a fierce whisper. “I accept who you are, Massimo. All of you.”

“You don’t know all of me,” I admit.

And she never will. I’ll shield her from the cruelest aspects of my life.

The stars dance in her eyes. “I’ve seen who you are. You’ve shown me so many times. You always do what you think is right. You’re loyal to the people you care about, and you protect innocent people. You’re not cruel or callous.”

“I’m a dangerous man,” I warn her.

“I know,” she replies evenly. “That doesn’t change how I feel about you.”

I place my hand over her heart.

How do you feel about me?I barely keep the question locked in my chest.

I love this woman, and the prospect that she doesn’t share the depth of my feelings unnerves me. In time, she will love me. I’ll settle for nothing less than soul-deep devotion. She’s already addicted to my touch, and I know she feels affection for me. That’s enough for now.

Soon, we’ll start our new life together in Italy. I’ll help Gian and Enzo with their coup.

And I will be powerful and wealthy enough to keep Evelyn safe and blissfully happy.

Chapter 38

Evelyn

Four Weeks Later

“How is she?” Massimo asks the doctor, his eyes dark with worry.

“I feel fine,” I promise, drawn to ease his concern. “I haven’t felt so much as a twinge of pain for days.”

“That’s good,” the doctor approves before turning his attention to Massimo. “She’s made a full recovery. She can return to a normal routine.”

I clear my throat, not caring for how he’s addressing Massimo and not me.

“Like I said, I feel fine,” I reiterate coolly.

The doctor simply nods. “I’m satisfied that there won’t be any lasting damage.”

Massimo’s phone chimes. He checks the message and mutters a low curse.

“Is something wrong?” I ask, worry nipping at me.