Page 49 of Hook

My eyes widen and hope bursts to life in my chest. “Really? But you said you’ve been working for Cillian for—”

“Five years, yes. Piero stationed me here when he learned Hook’s true identity, knowing he’d come at him in the end. I didn’t find out about the plot to snatch you until it was too late.”

I sit in stunned silence, trying to process what she’s revealed. “Even before we were getting married, Piero knew Cillian was a threat?”

“Yes, he’s had me keep tabs on him.” Her expression turns serious. “On this occasion, I well and truly failed him.” Her shoulders slump.

“Wow, so Piero knew he’d make a move against him?”

Tilly nods. “Suspected, yes.”

“Why? Do they have history?” I ask.

Tilly sighs. “I don’t know all the details, but yes, I believe so. Piero hasn’t revealed that to me.”

I sit back and contemplate what she’s saying, knowing that if Piero is looking for a way to get me out, all hope isn’t lost. Although, it might be now that I’m married. “But it’s too late, isn’t it? I’m married to Cillian.”

“Not by choice,” Tilly says, shaking her head. “Which means we can still get you out.” Her brow furrows. “Unfortunately, Hook’s security is tight.”

I sigh heavily. “I wish I could escape.”

“Escape?”

That voice makes me tense and I glance over my shoulder Cillian behind me. His narrowed eyes are fixed on Tilly. “What kind of ideas are you putting in my wife’s head, Tilly?”

I stand. “She wasn’t putting ideas in my head,” I say, glaring at him. “She congratulated me and I told her there was nothing to congratulate, and that I want to escape and go anywhere else, rather than be married to you.”

Cillian’s expression darkens. “Is that so? Well, if you try to escape, don’t think I won’t come after you, Gwendolyne.” He steps toward me and yanks me against him. “I’ll find you wherever you are and bring you back home to me, understand?”

I try to pull away, feeling my heart pound in my chest as he tightens his grasp.

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Good,” he says, nodding, before turning his attention back to Tilly. “I suggest you keep your mouth shut and do your job like a good little employee.” His eyes narrow. “Scurry off somewhere else, Tilly.”

I’m thankful that he didn’t hear the early part of our conversation. Tilly works for Piero.

“You are rather close to that girl,” he says, watching me through narrowed eyes. “What could you two possibly have in common?”

I shrug. “She’s friendly to me, that’s all.” Something tells me that if Cillian found out where Tilly’s allegiance lies she wouldn’t survive the night.

I can tell he doesn’t believe me, but he shakes his head. “Fine, come on.” He grabs my wrist and yanks me toward the dance floor. “Let’s dance.”

I try to resist, but I can’t break his grip. He leads me onto the dance floor and we stand face-to-face. Cillian’s dark eyes are intense, and for a moment I’m afraid he can sense both my fear and my desire. He takes my hands in his and starts to move, guiding me in an effortless waltz.

My heart pounds as I allow him to take control, twirling us around the room faster and faster. I can feel the heat radiating from his body, and I can smell his cologne. It’s an addictive scent.

“Why is it that the moment we started dancing, your eyes sparkle with desire? Is it because you can’t help but think about getting me into bed later tonight?”

Just as I was thinking how good he is at dancing, he spoils the moment by opening his mouth. Although we danced before, it was only briefly in a small confined space, not like this. “Definitely not.”

His strong hands guide me through each step effortlessly, as if he’s danced this dance thousands of times before.

He yanks me closer to him. “I don’t believe that for a second, princess,” he murmurs into my ear as the music fades away. “I can’t wait to do the tango between the sheets, as you’ll be screaming my name all night long.” He pulls away and when he meets my gaze, his lips curl into a smirk.

That’s when I realize all eyes are on us, and no one else is dancing. Heat floods through my entire body as I break away from him, reclaiming my hands.

His eyes flash with anger as he places his hand on the small of my back and leads me away from the dance floor. “Don’t pull away from me like that in front of people again, do you understand?” There’s a lethal edge to his voice.

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