Page 51 of His Ruthless Obsession

"And you make decent coffee." Her lips curve into a teasing smile. "When you're not being an insufferable ass."

I capture her chin between my fingers. "Only decent?"

"Mmhmm." But her eyes drift to my mouth, betraying her attempt at indifference.

"Liar." I brush my lips against hers, feeling her sharp intake of breath. "You're a terrible liar, Jazz."

She melts against me, all pretense falling away. "Fine. Your coffee's amazing. Happy?"

"Getting there." I trail kisses down her neck, savoring how she arches into my touch. The world of violence and vengeance can wait. Right now, all that matters is the woman in my arms, finally letting her walls down brick by brick.

And that's how I spend my next week. Planning with Marco, Ray, and Tony during the day, and pulling out small confessions from Jazz every night. I love to hear how she whimpers out that she does miss me, she does care, even if it doesn't come too willingly.

I've been obsessed with her since I first saw her. I knew for me right then I'd never want anything else as long as I had her, and that hasn't change. I've just been waiting for her to get there…

I think we're getting close.

Which means I can't let anything happen to her.

I check my watch - two hours until the Mantiones take our bait. Jazz needs to be safely away before then.

"Marco's waiting downstairs." I grab her overnight bag. "The safe house is fully stocked. You'll be comfortable."

Jazz plants herself in front of me, arms crossed. "I'm not going anywhere."

"This isn't up for discussion."

"Like hell it's not." Fire blazes in her eyes. I've seen her turn that look on others, but she's always melted before me. I like seeing her like this. "You don't get to ship me off like some fragile package."

"Jazz-"

"No." She jabs a finger at my chest. "I've spent too long letting men decide what's best for me. Never again."

The words hit like a punch to the gut. "What do you mean?"

Her shoulders tense. "My… ex. He started the same way - all concern and protection. Then it was control. Isolation. Until I wasn't allowed to make any choices for myself."

A haunted look passes through her eyes that makes me grit my teeth. "What did he do?" I can tell it was more than that.

She shakes her head, but all I can see is red. "Nerio, it's ove-"

"What the fuck did he do?" My voice is a low, icy growl, and even her eyes widen.

Softly, like she doesn't even want to admit it, she whispers, "He abused me. Put me in my place and kept me under his thumb."

I'm shaking now. Violence is looking for an outlet and I need to find that fucker. Fuck the Mantiones. Fuck the business. Fuck everyone else in the world because I am going to spend the next months torture that asshole for every doing anything but bringing Jazz pleasure.

"Who?" It's the only word I can get out, and it doesn't even sound human.

"Nerio-" She starts, putting up a hand.

And I snap. I stalk toward her, catching her hand and pressing it to my chest. Her eyes widen as she looks down, feeling my racing heart as pure violence pumps through me.

"Tell me." I cup her face, the gentle swipe of my thumb so at odds with the way my body wants to tear this fucker apart. "Give me his name, little dove."

She shakes her head, and I slide my hand to the nape of her neck. I tilt her head back, so she's looking up at me, leaning in close enough that our lips brush. "Give me his name or I'll start killing everyone in this city – in this goddamn country – on the off chance they wronged you."

Her eyes widen as she whimpers, "I already killed him."

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