“You people are crazy.” I shook my head, trying to make sense of what he was saying. Before now, I was just a regular college Stundent who was missing his first love. How did I end myself in the mafia,? What happened next was really insane. Horrendously insane.
Mathew said it bluntly: “This is reality.” You had a pampered existence at Nevada, what with your posh dorm room and prestigious education. But you’ve had to grow up and join the rest of us in the real world.
I ignored my first outrage at the insult. The next thing I knew, I was completely and utterly furious. I felt like he was making me out to be a pampered brat with the way he portrayed my daily routine. He was completely unfamiliar with me.
I snapped, “Take me back.” I don’t want to be around you if you are who you claim you are. Put me in school again. ”
“No.”
“You could be wounded if I bring you back. That’s something I’d never do to Nicola. ”
“You won’t hurt Nicola, will you? But what about what you’re doing to me?” I adopted his stern posture by crossing my arms across my chest. Put me in reverse. I spoke clearly, finding strength to confront him in my just indignation.
He started walking toward me out of the blue. Standing as motionless as a stone statue, he had been scary. As he got closer to us, his size seemed to grow exponentially as he stalked us with deadly ease. When he invaded my space, my chest tightened and my breath stopped.
He positioned himself over me, wrapping his arms over me and laying his hands on the headboard. His enormous frame ensnared me, and the force of his presence pinned me to the ground. His dark eyes engulfed me as he brought his face within inches of mine.
“Are you ready to have your life taken? It’s also possible that they’ll resort to raping you. Or they could just keep passing you around until someone gets bored and kills you. Do you really want that?
As the terrible words rumbled from his chest, my mouth dried up and my hands started to shake.
When Matthew got too close, Nicola hissed at him. “You have scared her, ”
Mathew didn’t move his gaze away from me. “She should be terrified. She must understand what will happen to her if she attempts to flee.” He was talking to Nicola about me again, but this time I couldn’t muster any rage. I was too scared to be angry.
“You won’t be going anywhere. Not going back to Nevada. You’re not leaving this house until we say you can. Do you get it?”
I shook my head slightly, a feeble denial of the horror I was witnessing.
“Get back. Get off.” Nicola tried to defend me once more, but Mathew didn’t listen.
“You’re going to tell your family, friends, and professors that you’re going to take some time off from school,” he said flatly, leaving no room for debate. “You’ll be staying here with us. Do you understand?” he asked again, demanding a single response.
I swallowed and nodded, knowing he’d refuse anything else. He’d keep me trapped here until I agreed. Or perhaps he’d do worse than invading my personal space. Every word he spoke was dripping with dark authority, and I was too scared to continue defying him.
“You’re a good girl.” He finally stepped back, and I exhaled a gasping breath.
My heart pounded in my chest like I’d just run a mile, and my hands shook. Fear was venom coursing through my veins with insidious intent. Tears welled up at the corners of my eyes, and I tried to take deep breaths to keep them at bay. My heart stopped beating. As my breaths became faster and faster, it became more difficult to draw in air. I was on the verge of hyperventilating as Mathew’s heinous words replayed in my head.
“Perhaps they’ll pass you around until they’re bored, then kill you.”
I couldn’t take it in. I was just a privileged, damaged young woman who had worked hard to gain admission to a prestigious university. My entire life had revolved around obtaining a good education and making my father proud. Then Nicola entered my life, and everything revolved around him. I’d yearned for his return, but now that I was with him again, everything had gone horribly wrong.
Mafia. Nicola is a thug.
The idea was barely registering in my mind. Not only was it repugnant, but I’d been convinced that, despite his fierce protective streak, the man I loved was gentle and good.
I blinked hard to clear my vision of tears, looking for Nicola’s gaze. He was staring at me, his jaw set and fists clenched at his sides.
“I’m so sorry, angel,” he said raspily.
I was drawn to his repentance. I pleaded, “You don’t have to do this.” “You don’t want to hurt me, do you? I’m sure you don’t. Simply return me to school. I’m not going to tell anyone about this. I swear to you. Please let me go.”
His chin rose, and his eyes shone with a possessive light I’d never seen before. It had previously caused my toes to curl. My stomach dropped as I realized the extent of his obsession.
“I can’t do it. I won’t.”
“Finally, the truth,” Mathew said, pleased.
“You’re not going to be able to keep me here!” I screamed. “I’m not going to be a part of this.” Allow me to return to my life.”
“Mathew has already stated that we cannot do that,” Nicola said, his resolve matching his friend’s. “You’re going to stay right here. Come with me.”
I pushed at his chest as he grabbed for me. “I’m not going to be with you!” I screamed, my tears flowing faster as my heart crushed again. My mouth could taste the deception, but my intellect knew better than my emotions. It didn’t matter that my body craved his touch. Nicola was poisonous, and she was just as deadly as Mathew. I just hadn’t seen it previously.