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Soon, everything would be better. Soon, Father would have solved all of his problems and we’d finally be happy.
“You are a Falcone now. My brother’s wife. You fall under my rule. That makes you mine to protect.”
“I don’t care if you are a virgin. It’s a small piece of flesh that’s completely useless. But I’m aware of the importance it holds in the minds of so many people, even yours.” “Then why are you furious if it’s not because someone stole what you wanted for yourself?” “Because someone stole what you weren’t willing to give,” he murmured. I looked away because stupid tears gathered in my eyes. I didn’t understand his reaction or him for that matter. I’d heard the rumors about Vegas, about how they dealt with women who didn’t pay their debts or displeased Remo Falcone in some other way.
“I will find the man who raped you and slaughter him like a pig on these sheets. Do you think that will be enough blood for your family?”
“Your nights are safe. You are safe now, Kiara. Even in the dark, there’s nothing you have to fear, no one, because I am there and they will have to go through me. And no one ever has won against me. I am the most dangerous thing in the dark, but you don’t have to fear me.”
“My father and mother were never family. They were blood, nothing more. My brothers and I are blood, but we also decided to be more, to be a unit. We are blood and chosen family. And we protect family.”
“Don’t you understand? I’m a woman. I’m guilty by default. It’s always like that. They will say I asked for it. A smile means I’m flirting. A nice word means I’m asking for it. Revealing clothes mean I’m inviting touch. That is fact, Nino.”
I’d read it in the darkest time of my life and finding refuge in the world of those books had been the only light for me. I stopped, drawing in a deep breath. Books and music had always been my salvation. The scent of old leather and dusty paper was pure comfort. I could spend a lifetime in this room and die happy.
“The scars he left, your body can heal them if you let it, and the result will be stronger than what was there before.”
“It is. I won’t ever push you past your boundaries, but just because I haven’t claimed your body with my cock yet doesn’t mean I haven’t laid claim on you. You are mine. Mine alone. And for as long as I live, no one will touch you but me.”
“Are you all right?” Nino drawled. How could he know? He hadn’t touched my wrist, so my pulse couldn’t have given me away. “Why do you ask?” “Because your breathing changed. That’s usually a sign that you’re unsettled by something. Is it because of our kiss?”
“I love you,” she whispered, and we both stiffened at the same time. Her breathing hitched against my throat. Love?
“Maybe I don’t have to simulate,” he said in that smooth voice. “Maybe I love you.”
“Before you, there was calm. There was order and logic.” I remembered the beginning of his song, that perfect composition. “And now?” I let out a hoarse exhale. “Now,” he growled and his expression twisted, “now there’s chaos.”
“I love you. For real. No simulated affection or love ever again, because with you, I don’t need to simulate. You dragged that dead part of me out of the past and revived it. I didn’t die fifteen years ago, but I didn’t live either … until you.” She held even tighter on to me. “I love you, Nino. A part of me died six years ago, but you helped me live again.” We had both been scarred by our past, but together we fought our demons and came out as the champions. Never had a victory felt better.
