Page 113 of Dominance

“Bullshit.”

“Alright. Bullshit.” I swallow hard. “Just let me explain, please.”

“Not here. Come with me. And do not make a scene or scream for help.”

He’s discreet as we shuffle back the way he came, around the corner, toward the entrance of the lower-end hotel. It’s the kind of place that’s nice enough to not have to worry about catching anything from one of the beds, but not so nice that anyone gives us a second look as we hustle inside. Just a woman wearing a scarf on her head, large sunglasses obscuring her face and a glowering man in all black. Adri’s shoulder presses right against the back of mine, guiding me, never letting a space form between us.

“Will you at least put that thing away?” I hiss, so only he can hear me.

“Sorry. I will once we’re in the stairwell.”

His apology almost sounds sincere, except for the way he rushes me through the door, being none too gentle. Two floors up I feel him release my arm, thrusting a keycard into my hand as he shoves me through the door.

“Open it. 303.”

“Ad—”

“Don’t say my name.”

The digital lock clicks. I push the door open.

As soon as it slams back, I round on him, swinging my fist. Adriano’s palm slaps against my wrist as he blocks, jerking me forward off balance and toward him. In a second, I’m locked up, pressed back against the closet door.

“Fuck you! Not fair.”

“You took a swing atme.”

“Because you scared the shit out of me. How dare you point a gun at me and?—”

“I had to. You were following me.”

“Ihad to,” I parrot, raising my eyebrows challengingly.

“Why?”

My jaw tightens, instinctively holding back. I can’t tell him. I can’t tell anyone.

“Because Dom told you to?” he growls, pushing his forearm into my neck lightly, just enough to force me to look him in the eye. The stare off only lasts a few seconds before I gasp for breath, start to cave.

Immediately, he lets go, stepping back. His hands pull to his chest, twitching like he doesn’t know what to do with them.

Or like he regrets being rough with me.

No. I won’t fall for it.

And yet, all I want to do is trust this man. My lover, my soon-to-be husband. Or he was, before I considered running away.

“I followed you to figure out what you are up to. What your plan is. And to see if I could trust that you weren’t going to leave me high and dry.”

“What does that even mean, high and dry? And who says I’m planning anything?” His eyes narrow, the conflict within him clear on his face as I struggle to keep my face unreadable.

“Why are you driving around all of Italy with your brothers? Aren’t they supposed to be…I don’t know. Killing people somewhere?”

“You say that like they have a choice or want to be doing what they’re doing.”

“You’re right. None of us has a choice. But I made mine.” And then I backed down, chased him here.

Adriano scoffs, his lip curling. “To be his lap dog?”

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