Page 51 of Hostile Cravings
“I know, but we have to deal with it.”
He came closer, lifting my face, his eyes lightening. “You look so much like mom.” His finger touched my cheek, sweeping over my freckles. “I’d almost forgotten you had her freckles.” I stayed quiet as his eyes searched mine. “Anj, what happened with Raines?”
I tried to look away, but he forced my eyes to his.
“I’m in love with him,” I admitted, my voice barely a whisper.
“And he did this?” he asked, gesturing to my natural face.
I nodded. “He likes me this way…at least that’s what he said.”
“Then why did you leave? You were safe with him, Angie. He would have protected you like I want to do.”
“Because he doesn’t love me. It was all part of the game. And I needed to get away because it hurt too much to stay.”
Tony kissed my forehead, pulling me into his arms, and I held onto him, remembering all the times he’d been my rock when we were little and knowing letting me marry Joey Tirenti was killing him as much as it was killing me. But neither of us had a choice. This was our father’s decision, a move to bring security to our territory and to the family.
But as Tony left the room, I wondered if that was really the case because something deep inside of me knew no part of this felt right. As if to solidify that notion, Joey barged in a few minutes after Tony left.
“Damn, baby, you look hot.” I cringed at the nickname, one I only ever wanted to hear from Tyson, a man who would never say that word to me again.
“I’m not supposed to look hot in a wedding dress, dipshit.” I tried to walk around him, but he grabbed my arm, his fingers sinking painfully into my flesh.
“You’ll look hot if I want you to. Not that it matters becauseas soon as you’re mine, I plan to rip this thing off and fuck you so hard your father and brother will hear your screams.”
I tried to pull away, but he jerked me against him.
“What is this shit?” he asked, rubbing my cheek roughly as if he could rub away my freckles. He gripped my chin so tight it must have bruised. “I don’t want damaged goods.”
I smacked his arm as his grip grew tighter. “I’m not damaged goods, asshole. They’ve always been there.”
He tried wiping at my birthmark, his thumb digging into my skin and scratching at it.
“Get your hands off me, Joey,” I said, fighting to free myself.
He threw me and I landed hard against my vanity, my things falling to the ground with the impact. Rolling his neck, he stalked over to me, grabbed me by my neck, and dragged me across the room. I fought, ripping my nails into his skin, but he overpowered me and slammed me into the wall, knocking the wind from me.
“You are my property, Angie. I didn’t know I needed to inspect my property before I took possession of it, but apparently, I do.”
“I’m not yours,” I rasped, grabbing at his hand. I was struggling to breathe. His hold on my neck was so strong that it took all my effort to remain conscious.
“Oh but you will be. And I’ve been waiting a long time to get my hands on this body.” My stomach twisted violently as his hand dug up the slit of the dress and he yanked at my panties. “No, no. These don’t work with this dress, baby.” He ripped the delicate material, his hand rubbing between my thighs as he pushed them down.
“Get off me, Joey.” This time my words came out so strained they sounded like a gurgle. I kicked my legs at him, but my fight only encouraged him.
“You’re going to be so fun to break. I think I’ll test you out now.” He shoved my underwear down further and I managed to let out a high-pitched scream that sounded more like a squeak.His touch was vile and my skin crawled. Panic welled in me. No matter how much I fought, this man would own me in a matter of hours, and I knew no amount of fighting him would keep his hands from me.
“Get the fuck off my sister.” Tony yanked him from me and threw him across the room.
The breath filled my lungs, and I fell to the floor, trying to gain control of my body, but I was shaking too badly.
“Your sister is mine. I was just making sure my goods aren’t damaged.”
Tony punched him. “You don’t touch her. Understand? You touch and I’ll kill you!”
A deep, vicious laugh came from Joey as he pulled himself from the floor. “I’m gonna touch every inch of that body. Touch it, bruise it, lick it. Whatever I want to do to it because I own that body now.”
He was in Tony’s face, and I could see Tony was trying not to kill him. His fists were clenched so tight, the white strained beneath them.
