Page 85 of Hook

“You bastard,” she says, yanking away from me. “What did you intend to do with that footage?”

I tilt my head. “Nothing. Do you think I’d let anyone other than us see it? Your body is for my eyes only.”

“Why did you bring me here?”

“I underestimated how possessive I am of you.” I close the gap between us. “You make me crazy.”

“That ship sailed long before we met.” She crosses her arms over her chest as a defense between us.

I reach for her chin so she looks me in the eye. “You’re my anchor, Gwendolyne Tesoro, and without you, I’m lost at sea.”

Her eyes widen. “What are you saying?”

Instead of replying, I yank her toward me and kiss her, pouring all the love I feel into it. It’s an insane, yet fundamental, truth. I’m in love with my wife.

28

GWENDOLYNE

“What are you wearing to the event tonight?” Rosa asks.

I finsh chewing on my mouthful of meatball sub and swallow. The mention of the chairty gala tonight makes my stomach churn. It’s the first official function I’m attending with Cillian since our wedding and I’m dreading it. The more time that passes the more things between us feel normal and that’s what scares me. That soon I’ll forget all the bad things he’s done and begin to enjoy being here with him.

“I don’t know.” I take a bite out of my sub and swallow. “I’d rather not go.”

Rosa gives me a sad smile. “Are you still struggling to accept your role as Cillian’s wife?”

I nod. “Not sure I’ll ever accept it. Would you?”

Her lips purse. “No. Not considering the way he went about getting you.” She stirs a pot of food on the stovetop. “But I’ve known Cillian eight years and I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you.”

“What are you saying?”

She shrugs. “He cares about you in his own twisted way.”

“Twisted is an understatement.” I sit back and put down my sub. The conversation has killed my appetite. Anytime I talk about Cillian, it makes my insides churn and I know it’s because I’m so conflicted over my feelings toward him.

Ever since we went to his club, Neverland, I can hardly think of anything else. It was the single most exhilarating experience of my life, and he gave that to me. And the craziest thing about that night wasn’t the fact we fucked on display, but when he started to beat that guy for touching me… I know how fucked up it is that I liked it.

I need to see a shrink.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of my phone buzzing. Cillian got me a phone which is blocked from making outgoing calls or text messages, but he can message me. It’s infuriating.

Captain: Hope you’ve picked something sexy to wear tonight. I can’ wait to show you off.

I roll my eyes, as I can’t change the name of his contact. He’s made it uneditable. I should throw the thing in the trash since it’s useless. What’s the point of a phone when I can’t even reply to his messages, anyway? I toss it onto the table, feeling a sense of rebellion bubble within me.

“The devil himself?” Rosa enquires.

I nod. “Yes, this phone is an insult. I can’t text back or ring anyone on it.”

“Can you blame Cillian? I heard you tried to throw yourself off his yacht to get back to Piero.” She looks hesistant as she says, “You know, Piero’s no saint.”

The mention of Piero only anger me. I hardly know the guy but after he abandoned my rescue attempt, I started to resent him.

“Neither is Cillian.”

“That’s true, but…” She clenches her jaw as if deciding whether to continue.

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