Page 17 of Captured By the Mafia Boss
“They were the power couple. Perfect.”
“That’s what my brother wanted everyone to see. But you know better. His son is the same.”
I drag in air, my head light and dizzy with realisation.
My leaving Camden had been prompted by my father’s disappearance, yes, but also by Henry becoming increasingly volatile. Henry raving about loving me, then pushing me away. He’d been capable of changing like a gust of wind, one moment sweet, the next sneering and vibrating with fury.
“He hit me, once,” I whisper. The first time I’ve ever said the words to anyone.
“I know.” King looks like he would crush the world in his palm. Specifically, Henry’s world.
My hand would be shaking if my forearm weren’t stabilised on King’s shoulder.
“Trudy murdered her husband because he abused her.” I try it aloud, testing it. And so many things slip into place. Little words and looks. The clothes Trudy wore and her penchant for heavy makeup. It’s so obvious now King says it, I can’t believe I didn’t notice before.“And you turned up to take advantage of the chaos.”
“Trudy called me, panicking,” King replies calmly.
I dredge up memories of Trudy in the days after her husband’s death. All this makes a terrible amount of sense.
“She was scared Henry junior would blame her. The easiest way to protect her was to ensure everyone suspected someone else.”
“You.”
“Me,” he agrees.
I don’t think he’s lying.
My arm is beginning to get tired of holding the knife to King’s neck and I yearn to take it down. I wish I hadn’t started this and there’s a shiver of thought that maybe I could have just asked these questions and he’d have answered them from across the table. But then, I wouldn’t be seeing his green eyes so close again.
As I did when he tied me down and ravaged me, I remind myself. I should want retribution for that, at least. But having him near has become as essential as water.
“Why did you agree to it?”
His mouth twists with distaste. “I had an ill-conceived thought it was my responsibility. I knew what my brother was, and I should have killed him myself years ago. Instead, I turned a blind eye, living out here in the wilderness, making obscene amounts of money, and pretending I wasn’t from Camden.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
Outside an animal moves. The sun set while we tussled and ate and argued.
“Henry hurt you and I blame myself for that.”
“I’m still here. Alive.”
Our gazes have been locked this whole time, but now his pupils dilate until his eyes are almost entirely black, only a slither of pine trees at midnight remaining.
“And I thank god for that every day. But Olivia, you need to kill me soon or I’ll begin to think this is something else.”
I glance down at his lap. He’s sporting a hard-on that takes my breath away. I can see the firm line of his cock like a steel rodpressing against his jeans. The sight makes me go all squirmy between the legs.
And that’s when I have to acknowledge it.
The simple truth.
I’m not going to kill King.
“I believe you. But …”
“You need to be free. And I must return to Camden.”
