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And you know what? Us girlies are proud to call his red flags green.
“I’m sorry, Princess. I didn’t mean to wake you.” It’s him. He’s here. He’s back.
He did this. Roman did this. Greg was a piece of shit who deserved whatever was coming for him, but not this.
That’s what hurts the most, because he wasn’t just anyone; he was everything to me. He was every smile that curved my lips, every laugh that rattled my chest, every dream that didn’t end in tears.
Everything meant nothing when compared to him. But to him, I was nothing.
Did Roman think he could show up here after three years, torture and slaughter my foster family while I sleep upstairs, and then just leave
But only two words are swirling through my head: He’s back. I want to believe him. But Roman Riviera is a liar.
“You fucked with my girl.” Roman chuckles darkly, glancing at me before saying, “And you should never fuck with my girl.”
We never used to be able to high-five without one or both of us flinching, so when she hugged me for the very first time two years ago on my birthday, it was like I saw the light. Then, when she hugged me last year, I’m pretty sure I understood why people find religion.
You taste like every sinful thought I’ve ever had.”
After all these years, I hate that the only thing that has ever felt right is being in his arms. Despite all the blood spilled tonight, I hate that this is the safest I’ve felt in three years.
“I don’t want to do this, Bella. Do you think I want to hurt you?” he asks through gritted teeth. “Yes.” The muscle in his cheek pulses as he pauses and looks down at me. “Never.”
“No amount of blood spilled will ever be too much for you.” “When will it end?” He smirks. “When I’m in a grave, and even then, Hell won’t keep me from you.”
“Don’t worry. If you break, I’ll put you back together. If you run, I’m running right behind you. If you burn, I’ll burn with you.”
But she’s back. She’s back. She’s back. She’s back. God, she’s finally back.
“You will never be alone again. I swear on my life. Wherever you go, I’ll be right there. We’ll always find each other. I’m not going anywhere. It’s a promise. We’re forever, Princess, and nothing will ever come between us. Do you understand?” She sniffles. “Yes.” “Say it.” “We’re forever.” “Swear it.” “I promise I’ll never leave you again.” I grin. “Why?” She narrows her eyes, but wipes her tears away as she raises her chin. But all I can see is the string bracelets fastened to her wrist. Not one. Two. “Because you’re a crazy asshole, but I love you for it.”
I miss the days when I didn’t have a ridiculous, soul-consuming crush on Roman Riviera. The time when I could argue with him day and night because I wasn’t yearning for his approval. Now, like some idiotic little girl, all he needs to do is look at me, and I’m a puddle.
“One more year and every inch of you will be mine.”
Roman will be the end of me. I knew it the day I met him, and I know it now. Maybe I’m a sucker for pain, but I won’t fight it anytime soon.
“Do you think someone can hurt you and get away with it? You should know the answer by now.”
“The next time something happens, you call me. Even if it’s just to ask which shirt you should wear or if you're out of snacks. I don’t give a shit if I’m working, sleeping, or half-dead; you grab that phone, and you call me. I’ll pick up whatever you need, even if I’m six feet under, Bella. There isn’t a god in existence that could stop me from getting to you. So you pick up that phone and call me before you even think about calling the cops. Got it?”
“When will you realize there is nothing I wouldn’t do for you?”
“You’d get on your knees for me if I asked. Does that make me your god, Princess?”
He’s looking at me as if I’m the only person in this world who matters. Like I’m his everything. Like he’s about to kiss me. “Mickey.”
A year goes by. He doesn’t show up for my graduation. He doesn’t come when I am hospitalized. He doesn’t say “happy birthday” when I turn eighteen. A year and one day later, I can’t walk, just like he said. I can’t bring myself to leave the bed or eat. I’m not enough. He ruined me. Roman Riviera was right, and I was wrong. I won’t die without Roman Riviera. But sometimes I wish I would.
She’s more than a dream. She doesn’t compare to my wildest imagination. I’ve always known I have the addict gene in me, and I’ve found my vice. I’ve been addicted to Bella since the very beginning.
One more year, and she’s all mine.
My religion starts with “Isa” and ends with “Bella,” and I’d worship at her altar every night. Blessed be the meal I’m about to eat and all that.
“You abandoned me!” I didn’t. I didn’t. I didn’t.
Oh, let’s not forget that he murdered my foster family while I was asleep upstairs.
Get used to it, because one day you’ll be begging for me to tie you up.”
The cold settles into my bones, and a violent shiver tears down my spine. Perhaps it’s from the realization that this is where he’s been the whole time. Three hours away from me in the place where I last spent time with him.
“Love me? What a fucking joke, Roman. You left me.” I was compliant and complacent, letting my emotions bubble and boil. Now I’m exhausted and infuriated. There isn’t an excuse in the world to justify what he did.
They thought I wasn’t going to make it, but the thought of leaving you alone pulled me through.”
“You never needed me. You needed someone to love you for who you were. I love you—all of you.”
hand. “I disagree.” Frowning, I look up at him. “You didn’t lose yourself. You found the part of you that was built to survive. The part you thought you lost is still there; it’s learning and waiting for you to let her out again.”
“But remember, there isn’t anywhere you could go where I won’t follow.”
“I told you I’d catch you.”
“God, you’re fucking wet. Does my girl like being chased?”
warned you, Isabella. I promised you,” he snarls. “I’ll be claiming you once I catch you. You ran, Princess. You. Ran. You thought you could leave me? You thought I wouldn’t hunt you down? Now, I’m going to claim my prize.”
“But I’m a virgin.” It might just be a word, but I wish he could say the same. A strained sound comes from his throat. “Good girl. You waited for me.”
“Scream if you want me to keep going. Tell me you love me if you want me to stop.” The muscles in his arms flex like he’s trying to hold himself back. My eyelashes flutter as I try to get my bearings and ignore how his cock is twitching inside me. “That—that doesn’t make any sense.” He lowers himself so his lips brush mine. “If you can still speak while I fuck you, I don’t deserve to have you.”
“You were perfect, Bella. Like I said, you were made for me.”
wasn’t sure if I could have held it any longer. I don’t think she realizes how stressful being a virgin in a men’s prison is.
Do you know why your cunt isn’t letting me go?” I tip her head up by her chin and brush my lips against hers, smiling when she leans forward to chase my touch. “Your body is made for me. It knows only I can give you what it wants—what it craves. You belong to me. All of you. And you know what the best part is?” She stares up at me with heavy lids without responding. “Answer me,” I growl, plunging into her faster. “No,” she pants, gripping onto my arms. A smile drags across my lips, eliciting a glimmer of fear in her eyes. “You’re going to come on my fingers because I fucking say you will.”
“Do you see what I’d do for you? You drive me crazy—I’m fucking crazy. For you. Only you. Tell me you get that. Tell me you get that?”
“People fight for all sorts of things: money, power, glory,” he continues. “Copper will fight for money and to add another win to his belt. Riviera will be fighting for you. And that is why you, me, and Rico are going to be rich tonight.” I down the rest of my drink, willing the night
Copper doesn’t tap out, even though he can barely block Roman’s punches anymore. One right after the other, Roman descends his fists onto his prey. People with eyes filled with bloodlust wince, but they don’t look away from the massacre. And I realize in an instant, as I avert my gaze from the fight, the Bratva aren’t the only ones who are pissed. Ares is a nobody around here, and he just proved everyone wrong.
open. “I can take Riviera. How does the saying go? Win the fight, win the girl?” “I’m not an object.” “Don’t need to be an object to be a prize, muñeca.”
Ares, Roman, Mickey, whatever he wants to be called, is absolutely stunning. “You’re my pretty little toy, aren’t you?” “What?” I gasp. The degradation should be upsetting, not making me wetter with each word that comes out of his mouth.
