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“You’ll stay in the penthouse. Men will guard it around the clock, and if you try to leave, your father will die.” His eyes narrow on me. “And I won’t give him a quick death. I’ll fucking dismember him right in front of you.”
“You are not my guest. You’ll prepare every meal. You’ll keep the place spotless. If your health deteriorates, your father dies. If I see you crying, your father will pay for each tear you spill.”
“Don’t get in my way, and you might survive living here,”
Renzo’s little brother was killed so I could live. And now I’m a prisoner of a deranged man. God help me.
Crime must really pay well.
God! After surviving the past three years and getting a second chance at life, this madness happens?
I’ve been taken captive by a ruthless mafia boss who kills without blinking an eye.
Now they’ll feel the pain I have to live with.
Leaning my head down, I whisper, “You couldn’t kill me even if you tried.”
Where my room is decorated in light gray and cream, Renzo’s is all black. Just like his heart.
God, I wish I’d never gotten the transplant. I’d rather die than live every day with this kind of torment.
“Do you get panic attacks often?” No, it’s a special effect you have on me, asshole.
Jesus. How am I going to survive this nightmare?
But this isn’t some Beauty and the Beast fairytale where she’ll get to return to her father. She belongs to me. Forever.
“The one where you think flirting with me will make me care enough to let you go.” My eyes flick to hers. “I’m not that kind of man. If you make me love you, there’s no fucking way I’ll let you go. You’re fighting a losing battle.”
“I’m s-so sorry, Renzo,” she cries. Yeah, so am I, my little mouse. So am I.
Renzo’s human, after all. He’s capable of loving someone so much that losing them turns him into a monster.
“Careful, mia topolina, you’re making me fall in love with you.”
“I love you, Skylar,” Dad shouts. “It’s been an honor to be your father. I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.”
There’s nothing I can do but feel as my heart shatters.
“Look at me.” She lifts her eyes to mine, and I see all her pain. They might not be the words she wants to hear right now, but I need to say them. “You have me, Skylar.”
In Skylar’s darkest moment, I realize I’ve fallen for her. Hopelessly, irrevocably, madly in fucking love.
“You’re not fine, and I want you checked out. If your body rejects the kidney because of this, I’ll fucking burn the world down. Think of having the checkup as you saving mankind from extinction.”
“She had to watch as you killed him,” I hiss as I hold the knife ready over his stomach. “And I had to watch as she fucking broke.”
By taking my bloody hand, she stepped into my world and left her own behind.
“You have me,” Renzo assures me. “You’re my k-kidnapper,” I argue. “No. We both know that’s no longer the case.”
Nothing will be the same as before.
“Something’s changed between the two of you.” “Renzo doesn’t want to kill me anymore,” I answer. Dario lets out a chuckle. “That’s good to hear.” He glances between us again. “Seems the saying is true, there’s a fine line between love and hate.”
“Harlan Davies was a good man. I’ve never seen a father love his daughter the way he loved you, Skylar. I respect the lengths he was willing to go through to keep you alive.”
“If you can hear me, Harlan, know I’ll keep her safe. I’ll give her the life you wanted for her.” I have to clear my throat again before I say, “I’m sorry we couldn’t part on better terms.”
“You were the most amazing father, and every day will be less colorful with you gone, Daddy.” She has to pause as her voice threatens to disappear. “It was such an…honor to be your daughter.”
“I’ll miss you so much. Say hi to Mom for me.”
Before this moment, I would’ve taken Skylar any way I could have her, but now I want her love. I want her to want me, and I’m not sure that will happen.
“I love you.” Her lips part and surprise fills her eyes. Shaking my head, I add, “Don’t say anything back. I just want you to know you’re loved.”
Understanding why he did the things he did when we first met makes what I’m about to say easier. “I forgive you.”
God, will I make the biggest mistake of my life by letting him into my heart?
There’s no room for our pain, and the tight grip on my heart starts to slip.
She loves me. I saw it in her eyes.
I’m struck, once again, with how much I love her. It just happened, and I had zero say in the matter.
Dad ate every meal and never complained. He was my biggest cheerleader. “God, I miss you so much, Daddy,” I whisper.
Walking to the Bentley and the man who loves me, I decide to stop fighting to keep Renzo out of my heart. It’s not a fight I would’ve won anyway.
Something good came from it all. Giulio gave me Skylar. Thank you, brother.
“Thank you for being so amazing.” He kisses my lips, then says, “You make me want to be amazing.”
I fell in love with the beast, and I don’t want him to change.
“Montes is dead. It’s over, amo.” It’s over.
I never believed I’d have this once-in-a-lifetime love. It happened in the most unconventional way, and the price we had to pay almost broke us. Maybe it did, and our broken pieces fit perfectly together.
Harlan Davies The most selfless and loving father. Devoted husband. A guardian angel who walked among us for too short a while.
She’s doing well, Harlan. No problems with the kidney, and she’s opening her own restaurant. You can rest in peace.
“Sorry for being creepy as fuck.” She lets out a chuckle. “Hey, at least my stalker was hot.”
“Hi, Giulio,” she whispers. “My name is Skylar.” Her shoulders shudder as she tries to keep the tears back, and her voice is strained when she says, “Thank you for saving my life. Having a piece of you inside me makes me feel close to you.”
