Page 86 of Hook

“But, what?”

“I won’t say because it’s not my place. All I’ll say is in my eyes, Cillian is a better man than Piero.”

I scoff. “Sorry if I beg to differ. Piero didn’t stalk me, kidnap me, and then force me down the aisle.”

“Fair enough,” Rosa says. “I can’t argue with that, but Cillian has a reason behind his madness. Let’s leave it at that.”

Piero has clearly done something to Cillian, but he won’t tell me what. It’s as if he expects me to take his word for it that Piero isn’t a good guy. From my limited experience, he’s a gentleman and while he was a little forward, we were engaged to be married. The only thing that bugs me is he’s supposed to be this powerful mob boss, and he gave up so easily when he came to rescue me.

“I wish he would tell me what the reason is,” I say.

She walks toward me and squeezes my hand. “Give him time.”

I swallow hard. “It’s hard to give anything time when I feel like I’m rotting away in this place.”

Rosa raises a brow. “Is it that terrible?”

“Yes and no. I’m used to being locked away. My dad didn’t allow me much freedom, but it was different.”

She returns to cooking, and I jump from my stool.

“I’ve got to go and pick something to wear for tonight. Boss’s orders.”

“See you later,” she says.

I walk out of the kitchen, hating that I feel like I’m in no-man’s-land. Cillian and Rosa insist that Piero is a bad man, but they’re biased. I wish Tilly was still here, as I could have asked her more about Piero and his feud with Cillian. Rosa keeps me company, but I sense I’m a burden to her, hanging around the kitchen when she’s trying to get things done.

Sighing heavily, I climb the stairs to our bedroom. I swallow hard as I’m not sure when I started thinking of it asourbedroom.

Once I get inside, I jump out of my skin. Cillian is sitting on the edge of the bed, looking irritated. “What are you doing here?”

He arches a brow. “Are you asking what I’m doing in my own bedroom?”

“I thought you were out, working as a mob boss or whatever it is you do.”

He chuckles. “I was, but I decided to take off early and make sure my princess has the perfect dress for tonight.”

I don’t know why him calling me that always makes my insides flutter. It’s ridiculous.

“Strip for me,” he orders.

I narrow my eyes. “I’m good, thanks.”

His jaw works as he rubs his prosthetic hand across the back of his neck. “Is there any point in being disobedient?”

I cross my arms over my chest, feeling defiant. “I’m not a slave you can order around.”

Cillian stands and walks toward me, towering over me. “That’s not what you say when I’m fucking you, is it?”

My heart races as he steps closer to me, his breath hot against my ear.

“Strip for me, princess.”

I can feel his eyes on me, watching my every move. Slowly, hesitantly, I start to unbutton my blouse.

“That’s it,” he murmurs, his hand trailing my back softly, sending goosebumps rising on every inch of my flesh. “Show me what’s mine.”

My thighs clench together hearing him refer to my body as his. It’s ridiculous how much I long to be dominated and owned by a man who Ishoulddespise.

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