Ruthless Prince (Dark Syndicate 1)

I gaze at him and feel the power in every word as he shows me glimpses of his true self. Even though that wall of vengeance is still up. Looking back at him, I wish I could see beyond the wall. I’m stripped bare and naked inside and out. I’ve given him everything. The most precious thing I owned belongs to him now. I gave myself to him.

“Do you understand me, Emelia?”

“I do.” How ironic that it should sounds like an acceptance of a vow.

“Let’s go take that shower we never finished yesterday.”

He scoops me up, and I slip my arms around his neck.

The bright morning sunlight wakes me.

As my eyes flutter open, I remember last night and everything I did with Massimo.

We had sex three more times. Moments after the first time, in the shower, and two more times in this bed.

I roll onto my side and see that the spot where he lay when I fell asleep is now empty. I drifted off to sleep with his arm around me and my head resting on his chest. We fell asleep like we were lovers and held each other like it was habit.

Now he’s gone.

I reach for the satin pillow and bring it to my nose, inhaling the musky, masculine scent of him that still lingers on the fabric. As the scent fills my nostrils, I conjure up the image of the perfect godlike man who climbed my body all night. He took me ruthlessly, over and over again. Beautiful and dangerous, temptation at its finest.

God… what the hell am I doing? What have I done? My emotions are all over the place. Yesterday, I was hell bent on escaping. Yet by the time the sun went down, I was jealous of Massimo and Gabriella. Hours later, I found myself tangled in bed with him.

Despite the fact that my father sold me to pay off a debt, I feel as if I betrayed him by sleeping with the enemy. Craving the enemy’s touch all over again.

If I’m going with the story that Dad was forced to do what he did to me, then I have betrayed him. I’m not supposed to feel this way for a man who wants to destroy my father.

But then there is the other side of the coin, the part I still don’t know about Dad. The vague information I’ve been given is exactly that. Vague. It’s not enough to form any conclusion regarding me personally.

So… what now?

What do I do now?

What do I do about Massimo?

I pull the covers close to my chest to cover my nakedness. Sitting up, I look around the room and run a hand through my messy hair. It’s bright outside. It must be late morning.

Once again, I don’t know what shape today will take. My days are spent

roaming through the house or along the beach when I get to go outside. I know it’s Saturday. Two whole weeks since I was pulled from my life. Two weeks I should have spent in Florence. I would have started the summer school in prep for the official start of the term in six weeks. Thinking about such things isn’t doing me any good, I know. I just can’t help it.

Deciding to get up, I take shower and wash last night from my body.

The area between my thighs is very sore, and as the water cascades over my pussy, it feels raw and burns. It’s a good burn, though, that I can’t say I’m unhappy about.

I get out, change into a little summer dress, and pull my hair back into a ponytail.

There’s a little rap at the door. I already know it’s not him. He wouldn’t knock. He’s never knocked.

“Come in,” I call out. Priscilla opens the door. Candace is behind her carrying a tray with toast and coffee

“Morning,” they both say.

“Hi, there,” I answer.

Candace looks at me. I blush when her eyes twinkle with something that makes me think she senses what Massimo and I got up to in here last night.

“We are not having another day like yesterday,” Priscilla proclaims. “It’s nearly midday, and you haven’t come down for breakfast.”