“Something like that, yes.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You want to implant a tracking device under my skin?”
“Yes.”
And cue awkward silence.
Doe sucked her bottom lip into her mouth, eyes narrowed, seemingly in thought. She had to do this. She had to agree. There was no way for her not to do this. The question was, would she do it on her own accord, willingly? Or was I going to have to force her to do it? I was praying like fuck it wouldn’t be the latter.
Dark curls fell around her shoulder as she pulled her fingers through her hair. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Okay. But only if you do the same.”
I cocked a brow. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“You don’t know Vadik like I do. He’s coming for me, but chances are he’s coming for you too.”
That was my pretty, clever girl. Another sign she would rule with an iron fist by my side.
I pulled her closer and kissed her. Our lips locked, and I wished there was a way for me to taste her on my tongue forever.
“Okay,” I conceded. It was working out well. Everything was going according to plan. Whether Vadik would act as predictably as we thought he would remained to be seen.
“Oh.” I leaned over and opened the bedside drawer, grabbing the black box. “This is for you.”
A smile warm enough to melt entire Antarctic spread across her beautiful face. “What is it?’
“Open it.”
Gently, she tugged on the silver bow. Her excitement was tangible.
She opened the box and stared at what was inside before looking at me with utter amazement. “A necklace. Antonio, it’s beautiful.” Her gaze dropped to the box, and she brushed her fingertips gently over the yellow gold collar, slowly moving across the silver plates, pausing when she reached the gem. She sucked in a breath. “The stone, it’s exquisite.”
“It’s a bloodstone.
Her gaze cut to mine. “A bloodstone?”
“The bloodstone is known to be one of the most powerful gems.” I removed the necklace from the box and held it in my hand. “It’s said to bestow the wearer with good health and long life.” I brushed across the dark green gem, with the presence of red, blood-like inclusions. “It’s also supposed to give strength by providing positive energy.” I met her gaze. “It’s also for protection,” I added.
Doe frowned, scrunching her nose. “Is the gem supposed to protect me?”
“No.” I touched the silver plates below the prong-set gem, releasing the hidden blade. “But this is.”
One of her dark brows rose, and without blinking, I grabbed her arm, pushed her back down on the bed, and held the blade against her throat. She swallowed, and I watched the movement, my cock hard and ready. “Another security precaution.” I pressed the tip of the blade into her neck causing her to gasp. A tiny drop of blood seeped from her skin. “Never get caught off guard. All it takes is one second, one moment of hesitation, and your blood is spilled.” I twisted the tip deeper into her skin. “With this hidden blade, all it takes is one second, one action, and you can slice a man’s last breath from his body.”
Her chest rose and fell, her breathing shallow. But her eyes, they spoke volumes. Dark circles of desire stared up at me, and I could practically see the flame of twisted lust, feel its heat…smell her arousal. She liked the pain. Craved it. But I’d kept it from her, not because I thought she couldn’t handle it. Because I knew I couldn’t.
I watched as the drop of crimson trickled down her throat, the contrast of color absolutely breathtaking against her ivory skin. The animal in me scratched against its cage. I leaned down—my heart racing, my cock aching—and I gently eased my tongue across her skin, lapping up the tiny smear of blood.
The taste of her soul on my tongue was exquisite, and I growled, wanting more as I flexed, pushing my cock against her hip. “You bring out the devil in me, Doe. And I don’t think I’m strong enough to fight him anymore.” I dragged my tongue up her throat, my core heavy with a lust strong enough to own me—and to break her.
Her hand moved up my arm, my shoulder, wanting to wrap around my neck. But I grabbed it, forcing it down above her head. Judging by the adrenaline pulsing through my veins, I knew my grip on her wrist was too tight, but while the taste of her blood lingered in my mouth, I didn’t give a fuck.
I gazed down at her and watched as she lifted her other arm above her head, wrapping her fingers around the bars of the headboard…surrendering.
“I don’t want you to fight him anymore,” she whispered. “It’s the devil in you who lured me in. But it’s the angel in you who made me want to stay.”