Page 57 of Trapped

Santino listened intently, his eyes never leaving mine. I continued, my voice trembling. “When I was twenty, I went to a party. I don’t remember what happened, but I caused a scene. The police were called, and it made the local news. Dad was furious. Not because I was hurting myself but because I embarrassed him. A Pakhan’s daughter was making headlines for all the wrong reasons.”

I paused, the pain still fresh. “He forced me into rehab. Said it was to heal me, but it was to save face. He needed me out of sight until the scandal blew over. I spent months in that place,more alone than ever.

“When they released me, I did everything I could to stay clean. I was pretty good for a few years. And then my father arrangedfor me to marry Dimitri. ‘A strategic alliance to strengthen ties between the families.’ I barely knew Dimitri, but I accepted it. I needed to prove I could be a good daughter.”

Santino’s eyes darkened. “What did he do to you?”

I looked away. “He was controlling. He wanted to mold me into his idea of the perfect wife. I felt trapped. I began drinking again. I hid it at first, but it became harder to keep it a secret. I got so drunk I passed out at a family dinner. Dimitri was livid. He dragged me out in front of everyone, calling me every name you can think of, and sent me back to rehab, but it didn’t work. I was too far gone by then. I knew I couldn’t marry Dimitri. That’s when I made a plan to visit you.”

A muscle twitched in Santino’s jaw. “You should have told me all this sooner.”

“It’s not like we talk when we’re together.”

“We’ll fix that.”

“And if I tell you everything, you’ll still want me?”

He smirked. “I guess you could say I have a type. Girls who need saving and then try to hustle me out of eighty-five grand.”

“Well, you’re doing a terrible job if you let me rob you blind.”

Santino’s smile faded. “Delilah, I’m not some fool you can manipulate.”

“I know you’re not,” I whispered, swallowing hard. “I’ve never seen you like that.”

“What do you see in me?”

Raw, male beauty. Fierce loyalty. Strength. Unexpected kindness. Like how he’d adjust the blankets around me and kiss my forehead.

“Someone who’s strong. You’re loyal to the people you care about, even when it costs you. You… you look out for your family…for me. You’ve shown me kindness in ways I wasn’t expecting. You’re not the monster I thought you were when we first met, and that scares me.”

I see a man I’m falling for.

The way he looked at me made it hard to breathe. It was as if he’d heard that thought, loud and clear.

He clasped my face in his hands. Then he kissed me, his lips crushing mine. I softened like butter, pouring all my longing into the kiss. He gripped my waist, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss until I was breathless. The smooth glide of his tongue made warmth bloom on my chest. I melted into the seat.

We broke apart. He leaned over, pulling a blanket from the side compartment and draping it across our laps. Then he tugged me over until I leaned against him.

Slowly, I allowed myself to relax into his embrace. As the cabin lights dimmed, Santino reached for the remote and picked a film. A romantic comedy played on the small screen. With his arm around me, holding me close, I started to feel things. Warmth. I teased my fingers across his thigh, and he inhaled a tight breath.

I nipped at his earlobe.

His body tensed. Then he caught my hand and brought it to his lips.

“I just want this. You, me, and a movie.”

I blinked at him. “Really?”

He shrugged. “It’s nice to be with you.”

Santino’s hand found mine under the blanket and threaded our fingers together. I closed my eyes, savoring the sensation.

The movie ended too soon. As the credits rolled, Santino stretched and gave me a mischievous smile.

“Not bad.”

“I never thought I’d see the day when Santino Costa would snuggle under a blanket, watching a romcom with me.”

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