Page 37 of Hook

“I know, but you don’t want to do as you’re told and walk in the correct direction, so I’ll take matters into my own hands.”

I continue to fight him every step he takes until he places me in front of his car.

“In. Now,” he orders, and for the first time, there’s a lethal and dangerous edge to his voice.

Deciding its best not to push him, I get into the car and squeeze my legs together tightly. Cillian gets in to the driver’s side and turns on the engine, making it purr beneath us.

We drive for what feels like hours but is properly only twenty minutes before Cillian parks in front of an enormous mansion.

“Out now,” he orders.

I get out of the car and stare around at the place. “Where are we?” I ask.

“You’re new home, princess.”

“What?” I ask.

He smirks. “When we’re married, this is where we’re going to live together.”

“You’re insane if you think I’m going to marry you.”

He chuckles. “You’re fucking insane if you think you have a choice.”

I set my hands on my hips. “How exactly do you intend to force me?”

Cillian gets closer, closing the gap between us. “The minister is already paid off to marry us whether you’re dragged kicking and screaming down that fucking aisle, so may as well have some dignity on the most important day of your life.” He grabs me by the throat, his eyes swirling with danger. “Because believe me, it’ll be until death do us part.”

“Hopefully yours, and swiftly at the hand of Piero,” I growl.

His grasp tightens so much it feels like he’s trying to kill me, forcing me to claw at his fingers. “What did I tell you about saying that filthy bastard’s name?”

It’s not like I can reply, not when he’s strangling me like this. My eyes are wide as panic coils through my body, and finally it’s as if the realization of what he’s doing kicks in and he relents.

“You need to stop pushing, Gwendolyne. Or you’ll wind up hurt.”

I place my fingers over the sore skin where he’d had me in a hold, wondering why I do keep pushing him when he’s unhinged.

He clears his throat. “Now, let me give you a tour,” he says, as if he didn’t assault me.

I shudder as he places a hand on my shoulder and guides me toward the grand entrance of the huge home. Every room we enter is bigger than the last; vast living spaces furnished with antiques and paintings, opulent bathrooms complete with luxurious marble bathtubs and shower rooms fit for royalty. It’s too much to take in. My dad is wealthy, but if he has this kind of money, he doesn’t splash it on our house.

“What do you think?” he asks, his chestnut eyes intense and searching.

“I think this place is exactly what I’d expect from you.”

His jaw clenches. “And what exactly is that, princess?”

“Over indulgent.”

“And there’s nothing wrong with indulging in pleasures,” he murmurs, dropping his hand to my hip and pulling me closer to him. “I could indulge in you all fucking day.”

I shiver, hating that his words have an affect on me. It’s as if he’s untouchable. Any insult I throw his way, he twists it around, except when I mention Piero, then he goes crazy. Which makes me wonder what the hell happened between them to make him hate him so badly.

“How about I show you the bedroom?” he murmurs.

“The bedroom?” I ask, looking at him. “I assume this place has about twenty.”

He chuckles. “Fine, our bedroom.”

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