Page 52 of Sinful Negotiations
Bitter-cold fear claimed her life even as the sun rose higher in the sky. Marco wasn’t the answer. She knew this in her mind, but some part of her still wanted to surrender.
Her eyes narrowed on the guards beyond her veranda doors. They never stopped prowling the property, and she remained locked in this room most of the time.
Hope abandoned her long ago, but she still held onto the tiny thread Aidan might be alive. With two fingers, she squeezed the shamrock pendant over and over.
Chapter 43
Aidan Cross, Alex Cross, and now he assumed the role of Father Denoro until a criminal retrieved him for a forced wedding. He wanted to laugh at the absurdity and ironic nature of this business but ducked into the Confessional Booth to listen to the numerous sins from the devoted.
He hung his head when the fifth person entered but lifted his eyes when a deep voice rattled off a few words, “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. Your apartment, tomorrow, five after five in the morning.”
“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,” he answered, making the sign of the cross and kissing the rosary suspended from his neck.
“For his mercy endures forever.” The man hesitated only a second before departing the booth.
Aidan didn’t look but wanted to yank the man through the window and demand answers. His fists clenched and he inhaled a deep, calming breath. Tomorrow he would see Tessa for himself and formulate a plan for her extraction.
*****
Marco Dentzi
“Why am I here after last night?”
Marco stared at the woman who had become his private obsession…or possession depending on how one viewed the situation. Last night was a miniscule taste of the passion she carefully hid. He’d glimpsed it twice now and wanted to claim it all for himself.
After laying a box on the desk between them, he leaned against the leather chair. “There is affection and attraction between us, and I think that could develop into more. You are the only woman I’ve ever considered to walk at my side. Marry me, Tessa.”
“Are you insane? Absolutely not.”
He rolled his head on his shoulders and flexed his muscles. She sorely tried his patience with this constant resistance. The oil fields left to her bordered government land, and he would have them through her and strengthen his position in the United States by legitimate business. The remaining wealth didn’t matter. He’d evenallowher to spend it as she liked. “I’m not asking, Tessa.”
Her cheeks bloomed with color that seeped into the open collar over her chest. “I don’t care. I’m not marrying you.”
His palm smacked the desk so hard everything rattled, sending papers floating to the floor. “I offer my mother’s ring, my home, my protection, and this is how you answer me.”
He flinched when Tessa kicked his desk from her position on the opposite side of his desk. “You fucking kidnapped me after you shot the man I loved, still love. All the kissing, oral sex, wining, and dining doesn’t mean shit because I’m still a prisoner. Shove your mother’s ring up your ass.”
His temper snapped. “You have no idea who you’re fucking with.”
Tessa leaned forward with her hands clenched on either side of her chair. “My guess would be the criminal, the real man you’ve attempted to hide.”
His eyebrow arched at her rebellious display. “Then you know what I do. Did you know I also fucked your aunt? Such passionate women.”
“Disgusting.” She glanced toward his office window. “Judging by this isolated compound you’ve got going, I’d say you’re deep in illegal activities. I don’t care to be honest, but I want my freedom back. It’s just a matter of time before you’re caught.”
“Time you don’t have, and I’ve been doing this for years. Tomorrow, we marry.”
“Fuck you. I’ll fight you.”
“And I’ll drug you if I must.”
“You’ll have to drug me to hear those fucking words.”
“So be it.” Marco nodded to the guard outside his office. “You heard thesenorita.”
Tessa jumped from her seat and stormed from his office, but he caught her in the hall. Wild and pissed, she turned on him, striking his face with the full force of her anger. Nails raked his flesh, and blood slid over his cheek.
“Bitch,” he snarled, and slammed his fist into the side of her head. Tessa sagged against his chest, and he scooped her into his arms. His guard rounded the corner at the same moment. “No need,” Marco growled, carrying her to her prison. “Send the maid to Tessa’s room.”