Ruthless Prince (Dark Syndicate 1)

He smiles when he sees me staring and smiles wider when he reaches for the remains of my little dress. Gives it another tear, and another. He rips it up like paper and reaches for my panties, which he pockets.

“Don’t want my clothes? Well, then you won’t wear any,” he snarls.

“You asshole. You can’t leave me in here naked.” I shuffle against the bed and straighten up.

“Watch me,” he answers, reminding me that I’m about to marry a monster.

Massimo stalks to the corner of the room where Candace left the bag of clothes and picks it up.

“If you ever want to wear clothes again, you’ll do as you’re told,” he warns.

“You’re seriously going to keep me locked up in here naked?” I can’t believe it.

“Yes, I am. When I think you’ve learned your lesson, I’ll let you know when you can wear clothes again.”

“What the hell is wrong with you?” He’s crazy. No one behaves this way.

“Don’t push me, Princesca. Unless you want another spanking. That was a punishment, not for pleasure.”

My cheeks heat with embarrassment.

“I hate you,” I rasp.

He gives me that disarming smile and takes a few steps closer so he can loom over me. “No, you don’t, but that’s a subject for another time.”

My lips part to tell him he’s wrong, but my voice catches when the flicker of something deep within his eyes catches and holds my attention, throwing off my thoughts.

“How do you expect me to love you if you treat me like shit!” I wail.

The wild smirk on his face is another tell that foolishness has fallen from my lips again.

“I don’t expect your love. That is not what this is about.” His gaze becomes a stony glare. In the depths of his piercing eyes I see this whole ordeal isn’t just about money. There’s more to it.

He has money. He has power. What I see when I look at him is a thirst for revenge.

Revenge against Dad.

What did my father do to him? What did Dad do that would have such a repercussion on me?

Why do I have to pay for my father’s sins?

When he turns, I see the massive dragon tattooed on his whole back. Dark and inky, filling up the space. He heads to the window, locks it with the little key, and places it in the same pocket he stored my panties. Then he leaves me. Once again naked.

Naked and thinking of how the hell I’m going to get out of here.

I need to find a way to escape.

How though?

Massimo will make sure I don’t get the chance.

Chapter Eight

Massimo

She’s right. I’m a monster.

I just acted like one.