War of Hearts

He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close to his body heat as we walked out onto the grounds. A long, paved driveway cut through an expansive lawn, the asphalt disappearing into a line of trees. I started to walk down it, but Joseph steered me closer to the house.

“There’s nothing that way,” he told me. “The gate is just a few minutes’ drive through the tree line. It’s guarded twenty-four/seven, so no one is allowed in without Marco’s permission. There’s an electric fence around the entire estate, and the guards will be alerted if anyone tries to breach it.”

The information was baffling, totally at odds with the world I knew. This wasn’t just a house; it was a fortress. Hearing about the security made me more aware of the dangerous life Joseph led, but it also made me breathe a little easier. No one could get to me here.

We walked around the house—which took a considerable amount of time, due to its sprawling expanse. Marco might as well live in a castle, complete with elaborate gardens. I spotted a large ga

rage to the side of the house. One of the multiple doors was open, and I noted a couple of motorcycles and a red sports car. I didn’t know much about cars, but I could tell it was expensive, just like everything else on this estate.

Apparently, crime paid.

When we reached the back of the mansion, excitement buzzed through me. Through the windows that enclosed the conservatory, I could see a covered indoor pool.

“Oh!” I exclaimed. “Can I go swimming while I’m here?”

“You like to swim?”

I supposed I had neglected my morning laps during my time with Joseph in Cambridge. I’d been too attached to him to take time to go to the pool.

“Yeah. I was on the swim team in high school. I usually swim laps every day.” Not only was it good exercise, but it helped me clear my head and relax, centering me at the beginning of my day.

“I’ll talk to Marco about getting the pool serviced, then. It’s been drained and covered for as long as I can remember.”

“Really? Why?”

I couldn’t imagine having the luxury of an indoor pool in my own home but not using it.

Joseph’s expression went smooth. “You’d have to ask Marco.”

Another mystery only Marco could answer. Again, I decided I didn’t care much, as long as I had access to the pool.

“Will you buy me some swimsuits?” I asked, fully confident that Joseph would follow through on his promise.

He shot me a wicked smile. “I didn’t buy you underwear. Do you really think I’m going to buy you swimsuits?”

I let out a huff of disbelief. It was one thing to walk around with my nipples poking through my shirt. It was another to be completely naked in Marco’s house.

“Marco might see me,” I reminded him.

“You seem very concerned about that.”

My cheeks flamed. “Of course I am. I don’t like him.”

Joseph’s smile melted. “I know he intimidated you. And I know it must have been scary when he abducted you. But he would never hurt you, I promise.”

I wasn’t sure I could fully believe it. “That doesn’t mean I’m okay with him seeing me naked.” I countered. The fact that Joseph didn’t share this viewpoint was bizarre. I understood that—despite having completely different personalities—Marco and Joseph were best friends. What I didn’t understand was why Joseph didn’t seem as possessive of me around him as he had been back in Cambridge. Had his protective behavior back then been a carefully crafted lie to make me trust him?

Joseph’s eyes searched my face, reading my displeasure.

“Okay, angel,” he allowed, his tone contrite. “I’ll get you swimsuits. I don’t want you to be unhappy here.”

I breathed a small sigh of relief. If he’d refused, there would have been nothing I could do about it. It sank it that I was completely reliant on him for everything as long as I was trapped here.

I’m not trapped. He’s keeping me here because it’s the safest place for me.

Despite my rationalization, my unease lingered until Joseph swept me up in a mind-numbing kiss. I fell into his arms, forgetting all my worries.

Chapter Nine