“I’m glad we have an understanding.” Dominick cleared his throat, walking further into the room. I couldn’t understand his audacity, as if he couldn’t figure out I was pissed. “I have another gift for you.”
What is it this time, a key to condo in which I’ll still be a prisoner? The thought was on the tip of my tongue. “I don’t want another gift from you, Dominick.”
“But I insist.” He closed the distance and the scent of his exotic cologne immediately filled my nostrils, sliding into every cell and crevice in my body like the most intoxicating drug. I could no longer think clearly or even breathe as he towered over me.
“No.”
His chuckle was dark, laced with the same sensuous evil I’d heard so many times, as if my refusal was nothing more than an annoyance. “You will learn to accept everything I have to give you.”
I was lightheaded as he reached into his pocket and for some crazy reason and a split second, I thought he was going to force an engagement ring on my finger. After blinking, I could see the box was slightly larger but no less impressive when he opened the lid.
The diamonds sparkled in the dim lighting, the sapphires and rubies perfectly accentuating the necklace. I was taken aback before calculating the dollars in my mind. The gorgeous bauble was worth a fortune. “I don’t understand.”
Dominick simply removed the piece, tossing the box to the side as if it didn’t mean anything. He walked behind me, his fingers brushing against my skin. I was frozen yet tingling, breathless yet reeling. There were no additional words that came to mind, even though I was in full realization that the necklace was little more than a bargaining chip. The thought was disgusting to my core but riveting in every way. Just how far would he go to make this unholy union plausible in his mind?
“This is perfect for you, simply adding to your magnificence.” He placed the piece around my neck, taking his time as he fastened with care, his heated breath skipping over my skin.
I couldn’t stop shaking, the excitement of such an incredible gift outweighing the horror of the provider. The weight of the necklace was stimulating in ways I’d never be able to describe.
Exhaling, he took several steps back. “Allow me to see.”
I grimaced before turning around, my hand already pressing against the jewels.
“Utterly magnificent.” His eyes were twinkling, but not in the same fashion as before. Admiration. Ownership.
I was his prized possession and he couldn’t wait to show off his gleaming trophy. But I could swear there was more.
“They are beautiful,” I whispered.
“Not as beautiful as the woman wearing them. We should go.”
I nodded, a little more accepting of the night ahead.
Dominick led me into the hallway, nodding to Bruno as we neared. Even the hired bodyguard was more dapper than before, his ebony suit freshly pressed. In his arms was a coat. A fur coat to be exact.
“As requested,” Bruno stated.
I wanted to ask again where we were going, but I knew he wasn’t going to tell me. Even as I was eased into the backseat of an impressive and no doubt well secured SUV, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of danger we were in.
After Bruno closed the back door, Dominick made certain he kept his distance, remaining on the other side of the vehicle. I’d obviously bothered him.
Within seconds his phone rang, and it was obvious he was uncomfortable answering the call in front of me. I looked out the window, watching the world passing by. It was no more obvious where I was at first, the darkness surrounding us almost overbearing.
“Yeah?” His answer was gruff, annoyed.
I listened closely, paying attention to his inflections as well as his obvious annoyance for being interrupted.
“And you know this how?” he asked.
I kept one hand clenched around the small clutch, the other touching the jewels, still quivering from the concept of the gift.
“I certainly hope that what you’re telling me isn’t bullshit, Marco.” He sighed, shifting in his seat. “You know exactly what will happen if your information isn’t any good. I would hate for you to lose your investment. You know what to do.” His snarl was laced with anger. “Don’t think, Marco. Just. Fucking. Do. It.” He hissed under his breath after ending the call. “Fucking assholes.”
“One of your… friends, Dominick?” I knew better than to challenge him in any manner, but I was unable to stop the words from slipping from my mouth.
“Let it go, Caroline. My business is none of yours.”
“As your upcoming wife, I would assume I’d be privy to everything,” I shot back.
He yanked my wrist, dragging me to the other side of the vehicle. I refused to squeal, clenching my teeth as he glared into my eyes. “Don’t.”
“Do you want to hurt me, Dominick? Is that what will make you happy?”
Snarling, he tightened his grip and even in the darkness, I could see the lack of control brimming in his eyes. “Don’t ever challenge me that way, Caroline. What I do in my business could very well keep you alive one day.”
“Don’t threaten me. I’m nothing to you and you and I both know that. I’m merely your property for now until you grow weary of me. The fight. The ownership. Even the sex. And I’ll never stop challenging you.”
I was certain he would retaliate, issuing some form of punishment. Perhaps I was even pushing him to see exactly what he was made of. Yet another surprise. He released his hold, taking a deep breath before tilting his head and pulling all his concentration onto the jewels hanging around my neck.
“I’m taking you to one of my businesses tonight, which will mean that you will be introduced for the first time. I expect you to be on your best behavior, Caroline. I will quite frankly accept nothing less. You will gather just a taste of the kind of man that I am, and I hope that after you do, your anger will dissipate, understanding that I am the only man who can protect you.”
“And who protects you?”
Dominick was completely caught off guard. “Meaning? Are you asking which of my employees are assigned to security detail?”
“I’m asking you who is responsible for protecting you from yourself.”