Page 7 of Vicious Vows

“Your dad did the right thing.”

“You don’t know anything about my family.”

“Because you won’t tell me anything.” I turned but he grabbed my arm and brought me to him.

“I beat the shit out of Ricardo when I found out he was responsible for your escape.”

I sucked in a breath, holding back the tears that threatened to fall over the pain I had caused my friend. Why didn’t Ricardo just pretend he didn’t know what I was up to?

Even as I asked myself the question, I knew the answer. Ricardo was too honorable for that. He would never lie to Marchello.

“I would have shot him if Milo hadn’t reined me in.” Marchello tightened his hold on my arm. “Do you see what your disobedience does to me?”

“Where is he?”

“Recovering at the main house.” All the muscles in Marchello’s face tensed. “Because of his incompetence, you could have been killed.”

“That was my fault, not his,” I said. “You made your point. Please don’t hurt him anymore. Please don’t fire him. If he’s of no use to you anywhere else, let him keep me company.”

“Like I’d make that mistake again.”

“He doesn’t have to be my guard. You could have someone watch us both if that makes you feel better. Let him come here and stay with us.”

“No.”

“I could use a friend.”

“What?” He tugged me closer to him. “You want me to bring another man here to give you the things I can’t?”

“No…well, yes, but Ricardo is my friend, and I hurt him. I need to apologize.”

“I’ll make sure you never see him again.” He backed me up to the couch and pushed me into the cushions. “There is nothing he can give you that I can’t.”

I wanted that to be true.

He sat down next to me and cupped the side of my face. “I was too easy on you yesterday.”

I didn’t argue because I had triggered his foul mood. Calling to his darkness was something I was becoming quite good at. I craved it when he looked as if he wanted to devour me, and I welcomed his wrath.

“You can say no.” He gripped my pants and tugged them down my legs along with my panties. “I’ll always give you a choice.”

As brutal and scary as he could be, I knew that was true.

“I won’t say no.” I kicked my pants off my ankles and spread my legs. “I’m yours.”

“I can’t be gentle right now.”

“I don’t want you to be gentle.”

My heart raced when he took off his jacket and dropped it on the floor. He kept his gaze between my legs as he undid his belt and unbuttoned his pants.

“Come here.” He curled his finger. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to do.”

“What is it?” I crawled over to him.

He tossed me over his lap.

“What are you doing?” I glanced over my shoulder just as he raised his hand in the air. “Oh!”

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