Page 50 of Sinful Negotiations

A groan rumbled from her chest, and black spots flashed before her eyes instead of the brown, ceramic tiles on the floor. She gasped deep breaths, trying to calm her nerves. The scrape of Marco’s office chair filled her ears. One hand touched her shoulder, and the other feathered along her spine.

“Breathe, Tessa. Just breathe. It’s a lot to accept all at once.”

“I can’t catch my breath,” she managed between gasps.

“I’m here for you. You are not alone.”

One hand reached for his, and she clung to it as she rocked back and forth in her chair. Strong fingers linked with hers, and at that moment something broke inside. A sob echoed off the walls of the office, and slobber filled her mouth. “I’m going to be sick,” she yelled, covered mouth, and jumped from her chair.

In a panic, she bolted through the house, to her bedroom, her sanctuary, and into her bathroom. Marco held her hair as the contents of her stomach emptied in soul shattering heaves. When finished she laid her cheek against the cool porcelain, and through it all Marco remained at her side.

Her gaze lifted as he soaked a washcloth in cool water and wiped her face. She didn’t fight when he lifted her from the floor and carried her to the bed. He removed her shoes, all the while crooning encouraging words. And when he slid behind her, wrapped strong arms around her waist, and pulled her into his warmth, she accepted the comfort.

Seconds, minutes, and hours ticked by, but still he stayed with her. Birds happily chirped outside, and Marco remained. He stroked her hair and her back, calming her with his touch. When one of the guards came into the room, he ordered them away.

“What do you want from me, Marco?” The question came out flat, but she was numb inside.

“Your love and acceptance, Tessa.”

The tears began anew at his confession. No one, not her uncle or aunt, not the FBI, and not Aidan had been truthful, but Marco offered the truth even though it crushed her. “And the money?”

“It’s yours, and I will help you claim it. I don’t need your money. Use it for whatever you like. Buy a dozen cars, or a big house, or jewelry.” He slid one hand over her hip. “Or as many pairs of jeans as your heart desires.”

Tessa laughed at his reference to her choice of clothing because he hated jeans. “Maybe I’ll buy you a pair of ripped, faded jeans.”

“Mercy, Tessa. Please, no jeans. My ass couldn’t take it.”

Genuine laughter filled the bedroom, and Marco smacked her bottom. “Not funny, Tessa,” he grumbled from over her shoulder.

“I don’t know what to do now. Where will I go? I have no family left.”

“You have me,” he whispered against the back of her hair.

“I am your prisoner.”

“It’s true, but I keep you because I cannot image my life without you now.”

“You don’t know me, Marco.”

“I know enough. The day your uncle offered you was a blessing. What man wouldn’t want a woman so beautiful, fun, and intelligent?”

“I don’t feel like I’m those things. I feel empty.”

“Allow me to fill your life with the things you should have, allow me to love you and care for you, Tessa.”

How easy it would be to accept Marco as a savior, but how wrong it sat within her spirit. Love didn’t work that way but arguing with him wouldn’t change his mind or hers.

She feared love had already come for her, and she’d lost it, or it was stolen by Marco. Captivity wasn’t love, no matter how he spun the fairytale. A chance for escape would come.

Chapter 42

Alex landed in Madrid on a private airstrip. The fourteen-hour, non-stop flight provided ample time to review Father Denoro’s file and prepare for his new role as a priest.

His gaze rested on the gun and rosary side by side on the seat of the provided sports utility vehicle. It wasn’t in his nature to question his sense of duty. Perhaps the injury did more than damage his body. There were so many things he wanted to confess to Tessa. Hopefully, time allowed that chance.

The agent on the premises reported Tessa was under psychological warfare but hadn’t been physically harmed. Damn Marco…he’d kill him with his bare hands for kidnapping her. Tessa paid for uncle’s sins with her sanity. It wasn’t fair to her.

Alex shook his head to clear the emotional attachment from his mind. He couldn’t destroy this operation by making dangerous, impetuous decisions based on his heart. Marco and his organization were deadly and wouldn’t hesitate to kill Tessa if they thought she threatened them in any way, or the FBI was so close.

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