Page 100 of Thorns of Blood

“Not true. You did for Amara.”

I trapped the corner of my lower lip between my teeth then released it. “She’s a child, that doesn’t count.”

He paused, seemingly taken aback by my statement, and then his expression turned grim. “Yes, she does count. And let’s not forget what you did to make Santiago think you were Louisa. You stepped in for your twin, wife, and I’d wager you had a good idea of what that would get you.” I felt my eyes well with tears. “So tell me again how you’ve never sacrificed a thing.” He ran his hands up and down my arms, pulling a shiver out of me. “From where I’m standing, you’ve sacrificed fuckingeverything.”

“It doesn’t matter because?—”

Giovanni’s hand wrapped around my nape and he claimed my lips. My body molded into his hard ridges as he kissed me with complete dominance. He ravished my mouth with an intensity that stole my breath from my lungs.

When he pulled away, my unsteady legs failed me and he grabbed me by the waist to keep me upright. His eyes clashed with mine, the storm in them reminding me of a windy night in a dark, green forest.

“Every time you try to tell me what you did doesn’t matter, I’m going to kiss you until you’re gasping for air.”

It was with those words, in that loving tone of voice, that I realized I was fucked.

Because sometime between the swimming lessons and this dance, I had fallen in love with this man.

THIRTY-FIVE

LIANA

Hours later, we were back home.Home.

Growing up in Siberia, Mother’s compound was a reluctant safe place from her enemies. Santiago’s home was a minefield, and Perez’s prison was hell. The compound I’d built for Amara and me was a safe haven, but even then, it hadn’t felt like home. The concept had eluded me forever.

Until now.

Once we entered the bedroom, Giovanni closed the space between us and cradled my face gently.

“You were quiet on the way home.” His deep voice had goosebumps flying over every inch of my skin. His hand slid to the side of my neck before he fisted my hair and tugged. He brought his mouth over my ear. “I want to know why. I want to know everything that’s going through your brilliant mind.”

I tried to act like I hadn’t just come to a startling revelation, that the stark reality that I was in love with this man wasn’t sending my heart racing.

“You can’t demand to know what I’m thinking,” I challenged, unable to stop myself.

He brought his face back to mine, letting go of my hair. “But I am demanding it, Lia. I want to ease your worries, help you achieve your plans, and most of all, I want to ensure you’re not?—”

He cut himself off.

“I’m not what?” Unable to stop myself, I arched my pelvis forward and encouraged him to finish that statement.I closed my eyes as he banded his arm around my back and I rotated my hips against his hard length.

“Are you not thinking about running?” My eyes shot open in surprise to find his mouth hovering close to mine. “I’ll give you anything, but I need to know you won’t run. My moral compass doesn’t stretch that far,” he gritted.

His words should have had me bolting out the door, but strangely they didn’t. It felt right, and I knew the aching need between my legs could only be relieved in one way: him. There was no turning back now.

I took a step back, he took one forward. One step. Two steps. Three. My ass landed on our bed and without thinking too much into it, I parted my knees, the dress hiking up my bare legs.

His hands flew to my thighs, his eyes burning with the need that flamed inside me. I needed this man. The one who knew every horrible thing I’d done and still wanted me. The villainess.

“I choose you. Us.This.” I reached up to trail a finger across his brow. “I’m not going anywhere, Giovanni.”

He cupped my cheek, then reached around to my back, leaning into me as he deftly unzipped my dress. He lowered on his haunches as he pulled the material over my hips and down my legs.

Bringing his face back into my line of sight, he unhooked the clasp of my bra next and discarded it on the floor.

Then he threaded a hand through my loose strands while dropping his mouth over my ear. “I’m going to fuck you so hard, you’ll be sore for days.”

“What’s taking you so long,” I said, unable to stop the provocation, getting off on whatever the hell was going on between us right now.