Series: The Rossi Crime Family Series by J.L. Beck
Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 66960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
“Yes, and if I'm willing to kill my son’s mother to protect him, there is no saying what I'll do to you.”
“What did she do?” I don’t even know why I'm asking. I don’t really want to know why he killed her, but something inside me needs to know.
“She tried to use our son against me… it didn’t help that she never should’ve gotten pregnant in the first place, but I found out before I killed her just how she managed to do so. She was no one to me, and I kept her alive for my son. I tried to do the right thing, and she used my kindness against me.” Parts of me feel sorry for Xander, while other parts of me want to escape this room and run very far away.
“I’d never hurt your son,” I murmur. Truthfully, I never would. He’s nothing but a baby. He didn’t ask to be born and my anger toward his father isn’t his fault.
“You say that now, but you have yet to discover how dark I can get. You have yet discover just how powerful I am. What happens when I hurt you and you want to get even with me? What happens?”
“Nothing.”
“Why nothing, Mouse?” I can hear the curiosity in his tone. My eyes start to feel heavy as I lay beside him. I’m protected, secure, and for at least right now, safe.
“Because you won’t hurt me, Xander. We both know that. No matter how dark you are, you won’t hurt me,” I whisper, feeling myself slowly fade into the abyss.
Xander’s hot breath fans against my cheek, his scent surrounds me, and I sink deeper into it, breathing him in heavily.
“You're right, I don’t think I would hurt you either. Because it would break you and breaking you, Mouse, would be my biggest mistake.” This time, his words are nothing more than a whisper in my ear, but they cling to me, and sink deep into my heart.
***
Just like the first night I slept in his bed, I wake up with Xander curled around my body. The only thing that is different today is that my arm is stretched out across the headboard where the handcuff is keeping it in place.
I wonder if he is going to cuff me every night now. He wouldn't have to… not now that he is helping me find my sister. Lying awake like this has me asking myself a number of questions. Like where did Xander sleep when I was lying sick in his bed? Did he just lie down next to me or did he sleep somewhere else?
My thoughts dissolve into thin air when Xander stirs beside me, pulling me in closer to his chest. I feel his stiff erection press into my backside, and I wonder if I should be scared?
“I like waking up like this… with you at my complete disposal,” he whispers into my ear, sleep coating his voice. His hand finds my hip and pulls my ass into his groin. My body stiffens in panic. Is this it? Am I about to lose my virginity?
“Don’t worry, Mouse, I’ll give you another day to heal. I want you to be good and well when I fuck you.” He peels himself away from me and gets up from the bed. A moment later, he is back with the handcuff key. He unlocks them but leaves them hanging at the headboard. I rub at my wrists as soon as they’re free.
“Go use the bathroom,” he orders.
I do as he says and disappear into the bathroom. I do my business, wash my face, and brush my teeth with the new toothbrush Xander has laid out for me. Dread sinks deep into my belly. The thought of going back into the bedroom knowing that he is going to cuff me back to the bed makes me sick, but I can’t hide in here forever.
So, with a sigh, I step out and find Xander waiting for me in the same spot I left him. I force my feet to move even though I don’t want to. I get back on the bed and crawl over to him. I lift my gaze to his, praying but knowing he won’t leave me uncuffed.
“You don’t have to keep me cuffed to the bed. I won’t leave the room,” I say but give him my hand anyway.
He takes it without giving me a response, tightening the cuff around my wrist. “I have some work to do and I can’t worry about you while I’m doing it. It’s either the cuffs or the cell.”
I just nod, the answer to his question is obvious. I don’t want to go back into that basement... not after watching him kill that man. I sit back against the pillows and watch him get dressed. My mouth waters slightly. I know I shouldn't be attracted to him, but I can't help it. His body looks as if it is cut from stone, each muscle just as defined as the next.