Page 36 of Psycho

I shake my head no, not wanting to talk about it, but he insists.

“Tell me.”

Glancing down at my skinned knees, unable to meet his gaze, I admit, “He pulled my dress up and, when I told him no, he pushed me to the ground, and got on top of me. Then he ran off, because he heard you coming.”

He sighs audibly, like he’s relieved I’m okay, and the butterflies swirl in my belly. When he leans down, and softly kisses each of my knees, my heart soars like it’s trying to take flight. I love Massimo Bonetti. I will always love him.

Several minutes later, I hear the locks clicking on the door, which does not calm my racing heart. If anything, it makes it speed up so fast, I feel it in my throat.

The door opens and Massimo stands in the doorway, his gaze leisurely traveling my body, making me feel like I forgot to put clothing on. His lips pull up into a smirk, as if he knows that I was eye fucking him. What the hell is wrong with me?

“Come on, little lamb.”

I don’t know where he’s taking me, but I follow him anyway. The entire way downstairs, I’m hoping it’s not to the basement. That place is the worst. Every time he’s done something horrible to me, it’s been there.

“I thought you might like to take a walk.”

I glance at him, as we walk toward the French doors.

“Thank you.”

Placing his hand on the small of my back, he reminds me once again, that he’s in charge. As if I could forget.

“If you don’t behave, you’ll never go outside again.”

I jerk my chin up, and flash my annoyance to him.

“You don’t have to keep threatening me. I get it, already.”

Grabbing my arm, he pulls me to a sudden stop, and runs his fingers down my cheek.

“I don’t think you do get it, little lamb. Every time I remind you of what’s at stake for you, I see fear. Beautiful fucking fear. Your eyes widen, lips part, breaths get heavy, and fuck, I like it. So I’ll keep reminding you, continue causing you terror, because it pleases me.”

I shove down the urge to tell him he’s a complete psychopath, because he already knows that.

“I’m being nice right now, so maybe be thankful, and keep your bitchy attitude to yourself.”

Cocking my head to the side, I lift an eyebrow, challenging him, because maybe he likes my fear, but I like pushing him just a little.

“This is nice, Massimo? We’ll have to agree to disagree. Nice would be letting me go. Do that, and I’ll think you’re nice.”

He chuckles soft and low, as he yanks my hand and starts walking again.

“I like it when you’re delusional, little lamb. It’s cute.”

We step outside into the warm sunshine, and I let out a gasp, at the sight of what I guess is the backyard. It’s so massive that the word feels inadequate. He wraps his hand around mine tightly, like I might make a run for it. I learned my lesson, trying to run from him the first night at his warehouse, although he told me to. I’m sure if there’s a place to run to, he would know, and follow. He’s in great shape, so I have no doubt that he could outrun me anyway.

We walk past an Olympic sized pool, with water that might be bluer than the ocean, and over to a massive garden, that is mixed with greenery, and red roses, designed in a spiral pattern. There’s a walkway between the two gardens, with some kind of grey concrete, and I spot the logo stamped into the cement. Three skulls, one with a crown and wings. It says Bonetti Brothers, but I remember from my childhood his father had one just like this, on the gate to their home. It didn’t say brothers though, it only had their last name.

I walk away from him to get a better look at the flowers, and he allows it, no doubt still watching me. There’s no need to look behind me, because I can feel his eyes on me. Heat licks up my skin, and I try to block it out. Leaning down, I inhale the scent of the most perfect roses I’ve ever seen in my life. There’s not a hint of dying leaves, it’s all landscaped meticulously.

“This is gorgeous,” I breathe, as the sun warms my skin. Not knowing when you’ll ever see outside again, or if, makes you appreciate it differently. His breath brushes over my bare shoulder, before he sinks his teeth into my flesh with a growl.

“You’re gorgeous.”

A moan slips between my lips, when he licks the spot he bit.

“Are your panties wet, little lamb?”

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