Page 22 of Broken Innocence
Because our girl needs a reminder of who she belongs to.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
EDEN
Pushing my escape to the last minute probably wasn’t the smartest thing to do. But it took the past couple of days after my conversation with Allie to work up the nerve to try to slip free.
Unfortunately, I didn’t slip far.
How did Luca know where I’d be?
He’s your stalker. Of course, he knows where you are at all times.
The realization is at once terrifying and oddly comforting.
“You’re not going anywhere except your bedroom,” Luca says, crowding me backward until my back hits the rough brick of the manor. “Tomorrow, you’ll become my wife, we’ll leave for our honeymoon, and you won’t attempt to leave me again. Understand?”
“Honeymoon?” Why is that the point that sticks out to me? Who cares about a romantic getaway when the getaway is with a man I’m being forced to marry? Who held me captive here for way longer than my injuries warranted?
“My father has graciously offered his villa in Torre delle Stelle for the next two weeks.” The gleam of his white smile pierces the evening shadows.
Two weeks. Alone with Luca. In a foreign country.
Not happening.
I’m shaking my head before he’s even finished his sentence. “I can’t go to Italy. I can’t marry you.”
I can’t. I can’t. I can’t.
Luca’s heat penetrates the chill settling over my skin as he leans closer. The tip of his nose skims along my neck straight to my ear. “Lo farai, bella ragazza. Non hai scelta.[3]”
My Italian is rusty, so the only word I understand isbella, but I doubt he said,“You’re right, beautiful.Let me take you home and forget all about this.”
“Luca…”
He groans, his hand on my hip tightening.When did that get there?“Say my name again, little Butterfly.” His lips press beneath my jaw, and I shiver.
“Luca?” His name is a question this time because I don’t know what the heck is happening. An hour ago, I made up my mind to escape Blackchapel, grab a rideshare home, then book it to a random hotel while I figured out what to do next. A life of vengeful siblings, murderous brothers, thoughtful stalkers, and arranged marriages would disappear into my rearview mirror as I fled Boston.
Except I’ve been caught, and a part of me is curious to know what a kiss from Luca would feel like. The love blind romantic that thrives on reading fictional stories of tough men obsessed with their women is throwing a freaking party in anticipation.
Ugh, I can’t succumb to his charms.
I can’t. I can’t. I can’t.
Since when did I fall back into the same safe pattern my life followed before moving out of my parents’ house? It’s alwaysbeenI can’t do thisorI can’t do thatbecause I’m a member ofThe Family, I’m a girl, I’m too shy, I’m too boring. The list of excuses goes on and on, and I’m continuing the cycle.
I wanted a little adventure—not a dangerous, high-stakes one—but that’s what I’ve got. And it comes with a sexy man who has only shown kindness so far, even if it’s been peppered with overbearing bossiness.
Beanie’s loud yowling continues in the background like she’s begging me to finally see reason, so she can return to her cozy perch on the window seat in my room.
Another kiss.
This one tracing the edge of my mouth.
“Again,” Luca commands, but he swallows my attempt to obey by capturing my lips with his. They’re firm and warm and masterful in their possession as his tongue sweeps forward, teasing and tasting. “Dolce farfalla[4],” he murmurs, retreating for a moment before stealing my breath again.
“Are we really getting married tomorrow?” I push against his broad shoulders to put an inch of distance between us. Not that it helps clear my head much. Luca’s intoxicating scent wraps around me, the heavy bulge in his jeans presses between my thighs, and my lips tingle from his kisses.
