“I don’t want to see you again.”
His gravelly laughter made me flush. “You sure as hell pick an odd way of showing it.”
I had to shove my confused thoughts in order, and I couldn’t do it if he touched me. The stitching of my life had unraveled. It was his fault.
I needed him to stop touching me.
I headed out, but he caught my waist. “Vinn, please.”
His finger curled under my chin, and an electric shock scorched my body. “Come home with me, and you’ll get anything you want.”
My pulse skittered. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Why not?” The electricity of his touch became a lightning storm as he traced the fullness of my mouth. “I think we’ll work out our differences better in bed. So you might as well come over.”
This was too much.
I wouldn’t say yes, but my heart squeezed at the what-if.
I’d pictured losing my virginity to Vinn. Even now, I liked imagining him shattering the last of my innocence. It dangled in front of me like a rope. If I dared reach out...
“I can’t.” I swallowed hard, stepping back. “This is too sudden, and I’m not—I don’t—we’re not a thing.”
“We are as of now.” Vinn scooped my hand and kissed it, making me feel like a rose blowing apart in the wind. “Fake. Real. It doesn’t matter.”
It mattered to me.
My throat tightened. “No.”
His voice raised sharply. “Why?”
I slid away from him and strolled to the door, trembling. “I don’t owe you an explanation.”
“What’s the harm in taking it further if I’m already dating you?”
“We’re not dating,” I seethed. “Fake or otherwise.”
“Yes, we are,” he snapped, blocking my way out. “It’s not up for negotiation. This isn’t about me.”
I gave his boner a pointed look. “Really?”
“Liana, you’d hate being with a biker. You think I’m harsh? Just wait until you’re a sweetbutt.”
“Come again?”
Vinn hesitated before answering. “A girl that’s passed around by club members. Yeah. They have a name for their whores.”
“And you don’t with your comares?”
“That’s not the same. I don’t like my women fucking other men. I tolerate it, but I don’t invite guys to touch what’s mine.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m not marrying him.”
“He’ll take the decision from you. You don’t understand what they’re like.”
“You hate them. They hate you. Werewolves hate vampires and vice versa. I get it.” I sighed, bored with the conversation. “I read Twilight.”
“I don’t know what the fuck that is.”
“It’s a joke. I’ve listened to Daniel and Michael complain about bikers my whole life. I’m sure they do the same with us.”
“Their culture is sick. We cross the line here and there, but we don’t traffic women and kids. We’re not involved in anything so fucked up.”
“Yeah, you’re an angel. Right up there with Mother Teresa, canonized for your huge cock. Saint Dick.”
He stood over me, hands on his hips. “Liana, don’t start with the smart mouth.”
“You won’t scare me into a relationship with you, fake or otherwise.” I crossed my arms, the warmth from his kiss gone. “I’ll take my chances with the biker.”
Vinn could barely contain his rage. He jerked his shoulder in an irritated shrug. “You’re just trying to piss me off.”
“No, I’m not,” I snapped. “If I have to marry someone, why not him?”
“Are you crazy?” The force of his yell blasted my ears as he rounded on me, snarling. “Are you out of your fucking mind?”
I flinched from every syllable. “Don’t talk to me like that.”
“I’ll do whatever I damn well pleased, you annoying brat. Is there one thing you can do without aggravating me? What is wrong with you?”
I lunged for the door, and he kept tossing me back like a rag doll. “Get out of my way!”
“Not until you start making sense.”
“I see no difference between my choices. He’s a gangster. You’re a gangster. And also—I don’t want your help!” I screamed brokenly. “I’m sick of you. I’d rather marry him than pretend to be with you.”
Vinn’s eyes flashed and dulled over. He seemed to stare through me, but I knew I’d hurt him.
He’d hurt me, too.
I’d spent every waking moment trying to heal from what he’d done.
“Li, I will only say this once.” His graveyard voice spread ice through my stomach, his dark face set in a vicious expression. “You are mine.”
Nine
Vinn
Michael would kill me.
He’d eviscerate me for locking her in a room. Then he’d boil my balls in motor oil for making out with his sister because I’d done it under his nose. Fondling her pussy at the charity gala wasn’t part of the plan, but how could I resist?
She’d given me the perfect opportunity. She had a sentimental side that I’d picked up on after visiting her apartment. Stepping in that bedroom was like looking into a time capsule of my youth. I’d been surrounded by photos of us, warm memories, things I’d forgotten. Luring her away from Michael had been easy.
I traced my lips, replaying how she’d kissed me so eagerly. If only I’d dragged that gorgeous fuck doll to her knees, I could’ve fed her my cock. As amazing as that would’ve felt, it was good that she rejected me. Hooking up with Michael’s sister would’ve been the scandal of the century.
That didn’t stop me from imagining. For days, I marveled at her reaction. I’d barely touched her, and she’d thrown herself at me. Liana was hot for me, and clearly in deep denial.
I’d rather marry him than pretend to be with you.
A feeble lie. Her tongue had been in my mouth only minutes before. She knew she wouldn’t last a second as Killian’s wife. The hell was wrong with her?
I kept tabs on her with the bodyguards I’d hired to replace Michael’s. It took everything not to drop in her neighborhood. I had to figure out what I’d do with Little Liana.
I couldn’t just fuck her.
Michael would murder me. He’d have to ask permission, but Nico would give him the go-ahead. Knowing Michael, he wouldn’t bother dealing with our boss. He was never the rational type. He’d just shoot me—and I’d deserve it.
I owed him the truth.
Confessing my sins wasn’t an option. I needed a well-crafted story that’d satisfy Michael and my aunt, the only people in my life who mattered. Lying would be easy enough. Getting her to agree would be difficult.
I thought about her way too much. Obsessing. Stalking. Poring over photos. I’d made a social media profile just to follow hers. Then I combed her online presence for information to answer a burning question.
How could I make her want to be with me?