“No, it’s not.”
“I bought it for you.”
“Okay, that’s some weird shit.” I hold up my palms to ward him off, not that he is advancing on me. “Maybe in caveman times, or even your mafia ancestor times, skanky women got off on Stockholm syndrome, but that’s not me. I don’t need you or your money. I don’t want you or your money. Now let me go.”
“Lorenzo’s men were only a day behind me in my search. He knows you’re alive.”
My throat goes dry again. I clasp my hands over my stomach afraid I’ll be sick. “How?”
“He’s never stopped searching for you. Or your mother.”
I gasp and fall to the bed. I drop my head between my knees and choke on my breath.
Nonononono. Not Mama.
Gaining control of my breathing, I lift my gaze to his. “I need to warn Mama.”
“She’s been taken care of.”
I jump to my feet and push at his chest. “You asshole!”
Not my mother. She is the only person I have left in this world. My heart explodes with fear in my chest, and I can barely breathe.
Stone holds my wrists with one hand and pushes me back against the wall, holding my hands above my head and trapping my body between his and the wall.
“I warned you not to do that again.” His face is in mine, his breath warm as it spits the warning at me.
Heat radiates off his body. I can’t tell if he wants to hurt me or do what he claimed he doesn’t do and rape me.
“If you hurt my mother...” I let the threat hang in the air.
“Christ, woman.” He drops my arms and gives me one last growl before shoving off the wall and standing by the door. “Your mother is safe. Lorenzo won’t find her.”
“How can you be sure? You said he found me. If so he’ll—”
“You agree to my terms, and I’ll tell you where she is.”
I need to remind myself I’m dealing with the devil. He may not be on Parisi’s payroll, but that doesn’t make him safe.
“Who are you?”
“If you’ll stop interrupting me, I’ll tell you. Sit. Eat.”
I only obey because I fear I’ll faint from starvation. I pick up the bowl of fresh fruit and eat it slowly, giving my empty stomach time to adjust. While I chew, I pour myself a cup of coffee and add a splash of creamer.
I take a sip and would moan in ecstasy if Stone wasn’t standing so close. I haven’t had coffee this rich in years. Eight to be exact. I lower my cup then finish my fruit. Stone waits quietly while I spread jam on a piece of toast and polish it off.
While the eggs and sausage look tempting, I don’t trust my stomach with something so heavy just yet. I pick up my coffee again then situate myself more comfortably in my chair.
“I ate. Now talk.”
“You’re not in a position to tell me what to do.”
“That’s a sure-fire way to woo your potential bride.” I cock a brow and sip my coffee. He had multiple chances to hurt me. I can see the temptation in his eyes, but he holds back. He may not be a saint, but he isn’t as evil as Lorenzo, I’ll give him that.
If I ever talked to my father this way, I’d be black and blue and begging for his forgiveness by now. It’s why Mama’s in the condition she is in. Still, I don’t trust Stone.
“One year. Two years tops, then I’ll let you go. Your mother will be well provided for and kept safe.”