“I’m talking about the cops and your new potential allies.”
“I wouldn’t try to talk to the cops. Please, Diego. I just want to know my dad is fine.”
“He is.”
“Ugh!” She pulled her hand away, sliding as far as the bed would allow. “This isn’t fair. I’ve done nothing to you, and yet you’re keeping me as a prisoner.”
“You could have died on me.”
“My dad still could die, and I don’t even get to hold his hand.”
“The doctor told me is stable. He’s not out of the danger zone, but he’s holding his own.”
She released a breath, slowly.
“I can’t deal with this right now. I can’t even think. You’ve got me trapped in here. I can’t do anything. I can’t even move. I made a mess of your room.”
“I see you took the life of my lamp.”
“I don’t want to be here. I promise you I won’t say anything. I just want to go back to living life without you.” For a split second she had hoped she’d gotten through, but no such luck.
“Not happening. You want to go for a walk, we can do that.”
The bed moved again, letting her know he was up on his feet.
“What are you doing?”
“I’ve got men posted all around the house. You’re not going out naked, and you do need some fresh air.” She gasped as he pulled her to her feet. He started to put clothes on her, making her step into a pair of shorts, lifting her head up to put a large top on her. “I’m going to need to buy you some clothes. There’s just no way to stop your tits from looking incredible.” He stroked a finger against the side of her breast, and he chuckled as she went to swat him away. He was the one in charge, not her. Each time she tried to take that power away, he showed her just how far she was under his spell.
She found it really freaking annoying.
With his hands on her hips, he stood directly behind her as he walked her out of the bedroom. This time, as they were going downstairs, he actually stood in front of her and told her to get up.
“What? You’re going to give me a piggyback?”
“Why not? I’ve never done one. It could be fun.”
“Hell, no. I’m not doing that. What if we fall? What if you drop me?”
“At this rate it’ll be time to go to bed so it doesn’t really matter. Come on, Belle, live dangerously. Stop being such a scaredy-cat.”
“I’m not scared.”
“Prove it. Jump on up and prove me wrong.”
She gritted her teeth, wanting nothing more than to push him downstairs. Instead, she gripped his shoulders, not wanting to hurt him or cause him any real damage. She let out a squeal as he lifted her up, his arms resting beneath her knees.
“What the hell?” she asked.
“How do you feel?”
“Like you should put me down.” She screamed as he nudged her up.
“Just checking to make sure you’re secure.”
“How old are you?” she asked.
“Forty years old. You?”
“You know how old I am. Right now, you’re acting like a child.”
“Come on, baby, this is a lot of fun.” He began to move downstairs, and she wrapped her arms around him, not wanting him to let her go. She couldn’t stand for him to do that. “You’re going to need to learn that I’m not going to drop you or let you go.”
“This is so crazy.”
“It’s not crazy. You need to get downstairs, and I want to hold you. Simple as. I love that you rely on me.”
There he went talking about the love word, a word she couldn’t trust coming out of his mouth.
“I really wish you’d stop saying that.”
“Love? I love you. I want to be with you. I want to love you for the rest of my days.”
“What about your fiancée?”
“I don’t love her. I don’t want to marry her. I want her gone, and I want to be with you. Only you. Always, you.”
“You’re infuriating.”
“I think, Belle, you’re not used to having someone tell you that they love you.”
“I believe, Diego, you’re saying it a little too much. I don’t think you love me at all. I think you think you love me.”
“That’s a lot of thinking.”
“Where are we?” She had been so focused on the conversation she hadn’t been paying attention to where they were going.
“We’re about to enter the kitchen. No one is here. The cook left early as she always does. Food is already in the oven, waiting to be eaten. Now, we’re outside.”
She didn’t need for him to tell her the last part. The slight breeze on her face felt incredible.
“What time is it?”
“It’s four in the afternoon.”
“How long have I been with you?”
“A couple of days. Not too long.” He took several steps into the garden.