Page 33 of Tainted Obsession 1

They have a lot of work ahead of them, but my only job is to maintain a good relationship with Stefano Duarte. He’s extended an invitation to one of his infamous parties tonight, and I can’t refuse.

I’m not willing to take my eyes off Evelyn. I’ll have to figure out a way to take her as my guest.

And deter her from making a scene.

I won’t let you down.I text the promise to the encrypted group chat I share with the brothers.I can handle Evelyn.

Gian shoots back almost immediately:How? What do you think Duarte will say when he finds out you’re holding Crawford’s fiancée as a hostage in his home? You should have asked his permission before you kidnapped her and took her there.

I blow out a soft sigh, careful not to rouse Evelyn.

She’s not my hostage. I’m protecting her from Crawford. Duarte is the kind of man who will understand that. He didn’t mind that I killed his men to save her.

Duarte won’t like the fact that Crawford is still breathing.Enzo is quick to remind me.

My jaw clenches.

I don’t like it either. He’ll be dead soon enough.

Once I take Evelyn in hand and ensure she won’t try to run from me, I’ll be free to resume my pursuit of Crawford.

She seems like a reasonable person; she’s endured horrors and hasn’t broken down into hysterics. She’d been consumed by panic for a few terrible minutes—when she’d been afraid ofme—but I managed to soothe her.

In her confusion, she might not realize the electric chemistry we share, but I’ll use it to my advantage. She responds to my touch, and I’ll gladly take every opportunity to hold her.

Have a safe flight.I send the final text and close the messaging app.

I don’t want to argue with my friends anymore. They need to trust that I’m capable of navigating this situation, just as I trust them to set up the infrastructure we need in Europe.

I know I’m acting out of character, and that’s worrying them, especially when we’re so close to attaining our goal. I’ve never obsessed over a woman like this, and I definitely don’t hold them captive, no matter how dark my sexual games can become.

My connections with women are meant to be hedonistic and fleeting—fulfilling my most savage needs without the headacheof emotional attachment. I’m too busy with my work to indulge in long term distractions. Ensuring my security, power, and wealth is more important than a relationship. And my devotion to my friends’ mission far outweighs my nonexistent interest in romance.

But Evelyn looks at me like I’m her salvation. No one has ever looked at me like that. The feeling is new and addictive, and I crave more.

I reach for my phone again and tap out a message to Duarte’s staff, requesting breakfast. Evelyn will be hungry when she wakes up, and I can’t allow her to sleep for much longer. I have to talk to her about attending Duarte’s party tonight.

I have to make sure she’ll behave for me.

A few decidedly wicked ways to enforce her obedience play through my mind, but I shut them down before they fully form.

She’ll be terrified if she wakes up to my hard-on. It’s difficult to keep my lust in check with her delectable body cuddled up against me, her feminine curves barely concealed by my oversized shirt.

The sight of it on her pleases me. After seeing her in Crawford’s bloodstained shirt, the visible sign that I’ve staked my own claim over her fills me with savage satisfaction.

I stroke her soft cheek, tracing the tiny, light freckles that dust her creamy complexion.

“Farfallina,” I murmur, rousing her gently. “It’s time to wake up.”

Her long lashes flutter, and her brow pinches with confusion. Those stunning green eyes peer up at me, and I watch as reality darkens her lovely gaze. She’s remembering where she is and what happened to her last night.

I flex my arm around her, tugging her closer in a reassuring embrace. “You’re safe,dolcezza.”

Her eyes begin to shine, and she blinks quickly to hold back her tears. I cup her cheek in my hand, grounding her to me.

“It’s okay,” I say. “You can cry. You don’t have to hold back around me.”

After I saved her from the creep in the bar, she’d hidden her distress from Crawford. She’d protected him from worry with her quiet strength.