CHAPTER TEN
STELLA
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Declan!
I can’t stop my body from trembling. With every second that ticks by, my life is disappearing before my eyes.
The life I thought I’d be living at least. I wonder if I’ll ever see Charlotte again, have wine and nibbles at Bemelmans with her. Or will I be forced to live in Tony’s world, only allowed to do what he approves.
His attitude toward my security screams of a man who loves control.
I could change my mind and walk out the door.
But what would happen? Would Tony shoot my father in the head in front of me...then do the same to my mother?
The way he demanded the room cleared and everyone obeyed told me everything. He is a terrifying and powerful man.
I felt nothing but disgust and fear when he took my arms and kissed my cheeks.
Then he turned his attention to Declan, and I was terrified he would harm him. I know he’s a SEAL, but anyone can be shot by a madman out of the blue and that’s exactly what a guy like Tony Marino would do.
He’s insane.
Tony speaks with my father as I gain some composure, wrapping my arms around my middle. I tune into what they’re saying.
“She will do what needs to be done,” Dad tells him, concern lining his face as he glances my way.
For a moment I think it’s for my safety, but then I realize it’s not. He’s concerned about himself. Hurt slices through me, knowing my father doesn’t love me enough to protect me from this beast.
I don’t know why I can’t simply stride out of here and wish him well in sorting out his debt. But then again, I’m not a monster.
“You know what’s at stake here, Voss. Three hundred and fifty million or your daughter.”
My mouth parts.
We’re rich, but not that rich. I’m not even sure my parents have fifty million in the bank, let alone that sort of sum.
Reality smacks me square in the face as my father walks out of the room without another glance.
His life or mine?
My feet tense, the temptation to follow him out the door, tell Marino to go fuck himself and free myself powerful.
Then I’d have to watch the bloodbath that followed.
“Life is a bitch, is it not, bella?” Tony walks to a dark wooden desk in the corner, slowly opens the drawer and pulls out a cigar. He studies it, then cuts the end off and lights it while I watch.
He blows smoke into the air as he turns, then his eyes land on me.
“How does it feel to be sold?” Tony smirks.
I am not sure if I want to vomit or scream. I shudder instead, realizing I’m in deep, deep trouble.
Slowly he takes a step toward me, then another, then another, stopping five or six feet from me. Turning his head, he blows out another plume of smoke. His lips turn up at the corners as his eyes drift down my body.
“It has been a long time since I’ve fucked a woman your age. I am going to enjoy it.”
I turn my head.
Crossing the small gap between us, he grips my face in his hand harshly as I let out a cry. “Stupid girl. Go enjoy your boyfriend. We marry in one week.”
Oh God.
Releasing my face, he strides across the room and rips open both the doors dramatically while my head spins.
Then he’s gone.
Declan powers into the room before I can draw my next breath and catches me in his arms just as my legs collapse.
There’s no way I can marry Tony Marino.
I can’t.
I can’t do this.
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AN HOUR LATER, we are home. Declan paces the floor in front of the gas fireplace of my penthouse like a tightly wound tiger.
Cole and Marshall lean against the wall and my heavy dining room table respectfully.
“Thank you for saving my ass, Marshall,” Marshall says, and Cole snorts.
I glance at the two men, wondering how they can be so nonchalant about the situation, but then again, they’ve probably faced far deadlier people.
Have they?
Tony is evil. I could feel it viscerally on the surface of my skin. Which tells me he wouldn’t think twice about shooting my father in the head.
“Thanks, sorry about losing my shit.” Declan rubs his forehead, then his eyes land on me, full of anger. Quite different from the man who held me in his arms on the ride home as if I were the woman he loved. “Nice first date.”
I glance away.
“It wasn’t a date,” I hiss at him.
“Stella, you want to tell us what the fuck is going on?” Cole asks.
“I can’t.” My voice is almost a whisper.
“Well, here’s a question: are you marrying this guy willingly, because you know there’s a law protecting you, right?” Marshall asks next.
My eyes lift to Declan’s, and I’m greeted with more of his wild anger.
That’s when I see it. All our chemistry and time we’ve spent together means more to him than just a job. We’ve grown closer. Sharing things about ourselves. My writing, his mom, and losing his dad.
This is more than just a job to him.
He is more than just my bodyguard.
Go enjoy your boyfriend. We marry in one week.
If I could turn back time and meet Declan a month ago, I would throw myself into his arms and tell him how wildly attracted to him I am. How I want to stay up all night talking and feel him deep within me.
I’d tell him things no one else knows.
I’d ask to meet his mom.
Hope he’d share some stories of his time as a SEAL.
I want to know him.
I want to feel the things I see sizzling in his angry eyes. I think I want what he wants.
But that ship has sailed.
That’s a selfish hope compared to being responsible for a man’s death. My father’s.
“The wedding has been set for next week.” I climb off the sofa and give them all a small, helpless smile and head upstairs. “Goodnight.”