Page 35 of Thorns of Blood

“You think someone better will come along?” I tensed at the subtle threat. My throat tightened at the idea of any man’s ring on my finger, keeping me in the legal form of captivity. “No one can save you from me, and if you agree, I’ll help you exact revenge on that last person.”

I narrowed my eyes on him. “What do you know about my revenge?”

“Enough to know that a woman is on your list.”

“You know her? The Mistress?”

“The Mistress?” Surprise flashed in his eyes, and I knew it right there and then, he didn’t. “I don’t, but whoever she is, I can help you find her.” He kept his unwavering gaze on me. “Why is she called that? The Mistress?” “What did she do to you?”

Maybe he could help me and… I gave my head a subtle shake. No, he wasn’t trustworthy. Nobody could help me find the woman I was looking for.

“That’s none of your business,” I deadpanned. “I’ll pass. I don’t need your help.”

His eyes glinted like emeralds, shining with a dark edge while his gaze slid down my body, and suddenly I regretted wearing a dress when he kidnapped me yesterday.

The heat of his stare on my bare legs scorched, and I had never hated my body more than I did at this moment.

My skin stretched taut at this unwelcome physical reaction and at the memories of sadistic things that usually followed. The panicked urge to flee, to preserve my hard-earned freedom and peace, was thick in the air between us.

“I can save you.”

I lifted an indifferent shoulder and played it coolly. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. I don’t need anyone to save me.”Because I’m going to save myself.Like I’d been doing for the past eight years. “And I don’t need your help.”

“Yes, you do,” he claimed. “You need help and protection. The DiLustro family won’t be so forgiving for keeping Amara—their flesh and blood—hidden from them.”

“I didn’t steal her from them,” I gritted. “Let’s not forget that Gio DiLustro dumped Amara like she was a piece of trash.”

“You can argue all you want, but we both know who’ll be blamed.” He was right, but I wouldn’t admit it to him if my life depended on it. “My resources are vast, Liana. You could have access to them, find the woman you’re looking for faster.Once the dust settles, I’ll work with Amara’s parents on some compromise so you get to see her.”

The latter part sounded so tempting. The thought of never seeing Amara again gutted me, and I would do just about anything to be in her life.

Besides, my instincts told me Giovanni wouldn’t let up until I gave him the impression that I was considering his “proposition.”

My lungs grew tighter each second, and as distress stretched inside, I forced the words past my lips.

“I’ll think about marrying you, but if it comes to that, it will be only on paper. Touch me without my permission and you’re a dead man. And trust me, I’ll make it long and painful for you.”

Revulsion spread through me like acid at my agreement. I’d rather walk through hell than be tied to any man ever again. It took me years to wash the humiliation out of my mouth, but I remembered the way it tasted all too vividly.

Giovanni watched me for a long second, something unreadable passing through his eyes. “Why?”

“Why am I going to make your death long and painful?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. “Gosh, where do I even start?”

“No, why agree to it?” he questioned.

I let out an exasperated breath. “First you’re making a proposition, and now that I’ve agreed to consider it, you’re questioning me?”

“Yes, I want to know why.”

Holding his gaze, I waited and waited, until I found my voice. Or maybe it was courage. “Maybe I want or need sex.”

I tried really hard to keep the sarcasm out of my voice. I really did.

The truth was I could go without sex for another few years, although there were times I missed… affection. Or something along those lines.

“You just told me if I touch you, I’ll be a dead man,” he pointed out.

It was my turn to sigh.