Page 92 of Possessive Mafia Vows

“What’s in it for you?”

Nick shrugs. “Money. A private island. A lifelong vacation. The kind of bank account that will buy me anything I want.”

I don’t speak. I never realized until now that his silky voice was balancing on a tightrope between sensuality and sleaziness. Seems his sleazy roots are finally beginning to show.

“You see, women like you, Sienna, make me sick. You expect me to fix you with a scalpel. You’re constantly chasing beauty that will never be yours, and never once do you ever consider accepting defeat. How do you think I feel looking at your scars, huh? How do you think it feels when I have to tuck in a woman’s sagging jowls and tell her that I can make her look twenty years younger?”

My breathing is speeding up, trying to suppress the nausea swirling around my gut. With every word he utters, my brain is screaming at me to get away. To put as much distance between me and this monster as possible. Only then can I think about what he’s saying. If I let the words affect me now, I’ll never get away from him.

“Sorry to disappoint you, Sienna, but I never wanted you. I could never be attracted to someone like you.” His mouth turns down at the corners with disgust.

You’re so beautiful, leoin. Promise me that you’ll never try to hide your scars again. They’re part of who you are, part of what makes you so beautiful.

I cling to Kyle’s words. I cling to the way Kyle makes me feel when I’m with him as if it’s my life raft out of this place.

“I’m not disappointed.” I’m surprised at how strong I sound. “I could never be attracted to someone like you either, Nick. You see, you’re chasing a lifestyle too. You want a bank account that will buy you anything you desire, but you’ll never be satisfied.”

I stand up. My legs are still trembling, the blanket is still clutched tightly to my chest. But I realize that my scars are still visible above the neckline of my sweater, and I jut my chin towards the ceiling.

“That’s the difference between me and you,” I continue. “I know what will make me happy.”

“Ha!” He scoffs, his expression ugly. “You think Kyle Murray will make you happy? Think again, darling. He won’t be so desirable without the Wraith behind him. Will you still find him attractive without his expensive suits and a chauffeur-driven car to beat the city traffic? What about when his brother sells your precious gallery for a downpayment on a shitty apartment in the Bronx?” His laughter is mirthless.

“The answer is yes. I’ll be happy in a shitty apartment in the Bronx if I’m with Kyle.”

“He’ll have to find you first.”

The strength I found when he was belittling ‘women like me’ wanes a little. “You said that when they hand over the Titan…” Ican’t remember the exact wording he used, but he implied that they would let me go.

“I said you were leverage. Perhaps I didn’t explain myself clearly.” He waits for me to fully process his words before continuing.“Collateral damage. Once the bratva get what they want, they’ll probably have no further use for you, so they might decide to leave you here. I certainly won’t be sticking around once I’ve gotten my cut.”

“Where am I, Nick?” He never answered my first question.

“Oh, we’re in Ireland, we’re just nowhere near the Murray family home.” He lowers his arms and checks the time on his wristwatch. “I should go. I’m sure our friend Kyle would’ve enjoyed our scintillating conversation, but I’m growing rather bored with it now.” He yawns to emphasize the point.

“Can I get some water?”

“I’ll get some sent down to you with some food. Don’t expect it to meet the Wraith standards though. I wouldn’t want to raise your hopes only to have them dashed again.”

Sent down to me?

“Why am I being kept in the basement? Are you afraid that I’ll try to escape? Or do you think I’ll recognize where I am?”

His stretched and twisted smile reminds me of the Joker from theBatmanfranchise. “You can try to escape if you wish. Be my guest.”

He takes a couple of strides back to the door and opens it wide, gesturing with a sweep of his arm for me to leave.

“I’m free to go?”

This must be a trap, but the thought of leaving this room behind and breathing clean air, of being warm again is irresistible.

“Sure.” He shrugs. “You won’t get far, and if you do, it will almost certainly result in a horrific and painful death.”

I gulp. My mouth is dry, and more bile is lurking at the back of my throat.

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“This property is built on the edge of a remote clifftop. The owner must’ve had a death-wish, or perhaps he simply wanted to deter other people from visiting. I can’t say that I blame him; making small talk can be so tedious.”

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