Page 67 of The Empress

“Everything in life is a possibility, Haven.” Wanting to be closer to her, I climb to my feet and, as I walk around the coffee table, I add, “The only men you’re allowed to be alone with are Edoardo and Massimo. If I find you with any other man, I’ll kill him.”

I sit down beside her, and just like two weeks ago, she shifts away from me and closer to the armrest.

Her gaze flits over me before she looks down at her bandaged hand. “How many people have you killed?”

“A lot.” She tenses up again. “It’s survival of the fittest in my world. Everyone wants to be at the top of the food chain.”

She shakes her head before she looks at me. “This life you live is insane. I come from a small town where there’s hardly any crime.”

“I’ll protect you from my world as much as possible,” I promise. Lifting my arm, I rest it on the back of the couch, so I’m able to brush my fingers through her soft hair.

Haven glances at my hand before her eyes lock with mine. “You promised you wouldn’t force yourself on me.”

“I did,” I murmur, my voice dropping to a seductive tone. “But I never said anything about not trying to seduce you.”

Laughter bursts from her, and when her face flames up with a blush, I drink in the absolutely breathtaking sight of her.

“If you try to seduce me, I’m going to laugh at you.”

Keeping my voice low and seductive, I ask, “Why?”

“I laugh when I get nervous.”

“Hmm…” I tilt my head and move my hand to the side of her neck, brushing my fingertips over her pulse that’s racing fucking fast. “Do I make you nervous,principessa?”

Her features grow tense, and her lips part. “Yes.”

I move closer until the side of my thigh touches her knee, and I stare deep into her eyes while slowly leaning into her.

Haven’s breaths speed up, and when I brush my nose along the curve of her jaw, her right hand presses against my chest. When she doesn’t push me away, I press a soft kiss beneath her ear.

Her energy spikes fucking high, and she starts to tremble. I pull back slightly to look into her eyes again, and not seeing terror, the corner of my mouth lifts.

“Did I just discover a sensitive spot?”

Her chest heaves, and her tongue darts out to wet her lips before she lies to me. “No.”

“Lying makes me angry,” I say before I lift my other hand to the side of her neck. “Be honest with me, Haven. If I learn where all your sensitive spots are on your sexy as fuck body, it will make your pleasure a hell of a lot more intense when you beg me to fuck you.”

“Holy shit,” she gasps. “You have no filter, do you?”

“When you face death as often as I do, there’s no place for filters.”

Her eyebrows draw together, and I think she’s forgotten about her hand resting on my chest.

“What happens if you die?”

“The guards will take you and our mothers to an island where you’ll be safe.”

Haven shakes her head, worry creeping into her eyes. “Aren’t you scared of dying?”

“I don’t fear the inevitable. It’s a waste of time.” I place my hand over hers, pressing her palm harder against my chest. “Besides, I’ve faced off with death before and keep surviving. I think the fucker likes me.” I give her a reassuring look. “I’m not easy to kill. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“I shouldn’t worry about you,” she mutters, pulling her hand from beneath mine.

I stare at her for a moment, then ask, “You’re not terrified of me anymore. What changed?”

“I learned the hard way there’s something I fear more than you.” She lowers her head, and it makes her hair fall over the side of her face like a curtain. “Loneliness.”