Page 31 of Impenitent Claim

A silent scream of terror ripped from my very soul. It was all I could do to keep my composure in the face of the past that seemed bound to crash and burn in my present.

Chapter 14 – Ilya

Idreamed of this moment, of her reaction. There was a period of time when it seemed impossible that we would ever be in this place. I never stopped looking for her. Like a brand, she was carved into my skin. The memory of that night last year haunted me.

Now here she was, spine snapped straight and rich chocolate hair cascading down her tailored jacket. I could reach out and touch her.

Isabella Rinaldi—my own personal torment.

Prissy pink heels clicked, and she turned. A veritable fire blazed in those brown eyes. The burn was intoxicating. I relished the contact.

“I wasn’t unfaithful,” she bit out, words sharp like a whip.

A thousand responses rose to combat that statement. Anger bubbled through my veins. How the hell could she live with herself, standing there and telling me that? As if she hadn’t thought of me the entire time. Nowthathurt.

“It’syouwho’s been haunting me.” The words were an accusation as if she were mad at herself for not having guessed it sooner.

“You didn’t seem to mind when I was a masked stranger in the store,” I growled.

“You have to leave me alone,” she declared, her fingers poised to tear the card, but she stopped at the last moment to fold it. She slid it beneath the neckline of her shirt, tucking it in the bra.

Over her heart.

I slapped that thought away.

“I’ve found you, Isabella. And now I’ll do whatever I damn well please.” I took a step forward.

Instead of backing up, this valiant little huntress tipped her chin up—defying me. The flash of warmth through my chest was as annoying as the stiffening in my groin.

Saints, I missed the way she watched me from across the club. This woman knew what she wanted, and she fucking took it.

Well…I did too.

“This is ridiculous.” Isabella cut her hand through the air. “I’m nothing to you, just a good time.”

“Oh, Isabella,” I drawled. “If that was true, why would I be here?”

The sound of her sharp inhale was sweet. “You can’t be here,” she snapped.

But her voice quivered.

You’re in my clutches now, little huntress.

“You’ll ruin everything,” she insisted. “I’m to be married. You need to leave me the hell alone!”

Anger, white hot and all-consuming, flared inside. “Here’s how this is going to go,” I said more harshly than I meant. Isabella’s eyes flared wide at my tone. “I found you. It took a while, but there was never any chance of stopping me. I’ll destroy whatever I damn well please. And when I’m done, whenI walk away—”and take you with me“—if you can see through the smoke and ruin, you’ll know there was never any escape for you.”

Isabella blinked rapidly, her keen gaze searching me. “You hate me,” she gasped.

I wasn’t dignifying that with an answer. Better that she believe the worst of me than know the truth. We were on a course, set and locked for eternity. Fate crossed our paths and entwined our lives. Nothing would separate us again.

“Are you asking yourself what kind of crazed lunatic you decided to give yourself to?” I took a step forward. Her enchanting presence had that much power over this poor sinner.

“The lord of the underworld himself?” Her voice entwined around my cock, squeezing like a damn vice.

I took another step forward. Her fruity perfume was an intoxicating aroma that I couldn’t resist. It was stronger than the lotion she wore to bed. Heady and dark, it tempted my resolve, beckoning me for a taste. Only when there was less than a foot between us did she take a step back.

I grinned. “Precisely.”

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