Page 15 of Stolen Wife
“You’re just like your brother.” It’s out of my mouth before I can think about it. I’m sure that is going to set him off, and then I’m going to feel his wrath. God, it would break my heart if he hit me. I should be used to the abuse, but when I see him, I don’t know why I fear his brand of evil.
He stands by the door with a smirk on his face. “Sweetheart, I get that you want to fight me. Test me. I get that you want to believe whatever lies you tell yourself, but deep down you know I’m nothing like my brother, and soon you’ll know that in more ways than one.” He leaves me alone, locking the door behind him.
“Bastard.” I sit on the bed. A part of me is secretly happy to be away from Rafael and his father, but what does Santino have planned for me? Does he want to fuck me too? Of course he does. That hard-on and the way he kissed me...whew, nothing but pure, lustful fire. But could I be reading this wrong? Is this some sort of revenge? Why should I even care?
I tuck my hair behind my ears, feeling the sting of the bruise. Damn, it’s painful. I take a deep breath and get a whiff of the breakfast on the table, making my stomach become a rumbling engine. Walking over there, I lift the lid to eggs, bacon, sausage, and homemade hash browns. I don’t think I’ve had a meal like this in forever. I help myself to a small serving because even though it smells incredible, I don’t get to eat often or anything hearty, so I don’t want to get sick.
The first bite of the bacon hits the sweet spot in my palette, and I release a moan. The food is too good to be true, but I only eat a little more because I’m feeling a little lightheaded. Oh God, please tell me he didn’t poison me.
I take a deep breath, and I’m okay again. So it’s just my paranoia, it seems.
I step into the bathroom to freshen up and to examine my father-in-law’s handiwork. The bathroom is large and made for a man like Santino. Everything is new, but then again the man spent years in prison, so this is all newly added, I’m guessing. I run my hands over the granite countertops, feeling the cold stone against my fingers, and yet I feel the warmth of this place. Then I finally look up and see my reflection. The bruising from yesterday has darkened so it matches the pain that’s radiating from it. I can’t believe how terrible it looks.
“I could kill him for that alone.” I turn to the door and see Santino leaning on the door jamb. He straightens up and moves toward me. The way his body moves, I feel hypnotized. There’s power in every step.
I face him and feel almost obligated to tell him the truth about this, so I do. “This wasn’t Rafael’s efforts.”
“Who?” His teeth are clenched as he grits out the word. I can see he already knows but needs to hear it from me.
“Your father.”
“What? Why?” He’s angry, and that strangely makes me comfortable to tell him what happened.
“As soon as you left, he threatened to tell Rafael that I was flirting with you, and I got a smart mouth with him. For an old man, he’s still extraordinarily strong.”
“He’s lived long enough.” The gruff words hit my ears and my pussy’s flooded. This man has a way about him that draws me in like a moth to a flame. It’s dangerous, and yet I have a hard time fighting the urge to step into his path and demand he show me what I’m missing.
“It’s not your problem. I’m only glad I’m away from them. I am away from them, right? You’re not going to send me back there, are you?”
“Never. Over my fucking dead body are you returning to them.”
“Thank you. I don’t care why you took me last night, but either way, I’m temporarily safe from Rafael.”
“Soon it will be permanently,” he says to himself.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask when it strikes me that he’s going to kill his brother. I’m not against it, but why would he want to do that?
A knock at the door stops him from answering. He presses a finger to my lips and then walks to get it.
I creep to the bathroom door, attempting to hear the exchange. “Sir, your lawyer is downstairs waiting for you. I set him in the living room.”
“Any word?”
“Nothing. It’s still quite early. They may not even know she’s gone yet.” I’m nervous to see what happens when they realize I’m gone.
“True. Very well. I’m looking forward to his reaction when he learns the truth. Revenge will never be sweeter.” I hold back the gasp and wait for Santino to walk back in.
“I want you to stay up here and don’t move. You can watch television. Those bags of clothes are for you. I don’t know what’s in them, but I’m told it should be everything you need.” The formal, stiff tone turns my body icy cold.
He leaves me there standing in the middle of his bedroom with tears welling up in my eyes. I’m just a pawn. Okay. Fight these feelings. I don’t care if he can make you come on a dime or if his stare makes your heart hope for a happily ever after. The first chance you get, you take it.
I grab the bags and spread them out on the bed. Everything is from Target, which doesn’t surprise me. Rafael was the same way. Expensive things for him, nothing for me. It’s not that I don’t like Target clothes, but I expected more for some reason. God, I have to get it out of my head that he wants something more. I’m descending into madness.
After picking out a cute white tee and a pair of pink cotton shorts, I grab the nude bra, which is way too small for my chest. Shit. The panties will do simply fine, but since I’m trapped in this room, what does it matter if I have a bra?
As I pick up the rest of the clothes and toss them in the bag, I catch the faint aroma of his scent. Like a fool, I lie back down in the bed and bring his pillow to my nose. It’s so captivating that I lose track of time and all my worries.