Page 8 of Broken Crown

"What have I told you about saying no to me?"

I crashed my mouth down onto hers.

She didn't fight. Not at first.

Her body softened against mine, her lips parting. Finally releasing the breath she’d been holding since the first gunshot.

I swept my tongue between her lips, tasting her, savoring the sweetness that belied her anger. Her body betrayed her with a subtle trembling that wasn't entirely fear.

Then...she bit me.

My head jerked back. I stared down into her terror-filled eyes, a storm of dark sapphire that defied me even now. I swept the tip of my tongue over my lower lip. The coppery tang of blood did nothing to stop me.

I tightened my grasp and reclaimed her lips, ignoring the small fists beating against my chest, each impact a moth against stone. If I could, I would absorb all her fear and confusion.

For a moment, she stopped fighting again. Her fingers curled into my shirt instead of pushing, and a shudder ran through her—not desire, not exactly. She was using me to feel alive. And I was selfish enough to let her.

There was nothing I wouldn't give to erase everything that had happened and just start back at the beginning.

To take our relationship back to that pure and simple moment when we met.

Before I tainted and ruined everything with my plans of revenge and vengeance.

Before I chose to put her in danger by using her as a pawn.

Before I fucked everything up.

I craved the impossible.

The buttery scent of warm pastries mingled with the musk of her skin beneath my hands, Rome's ancient stones bearing witness to yet another conquest.

When I finally broke the kiss, her eyes glimmered with tears, diamonds threatening to fall. "I hate you."

I cupped her jaw, thumb brushing the fullness of her bottom lip. "I know, baby. I hate myself."

Her lower lip, swollen from my brutal kiss, trembled. "Please, I'm begging. Just let me go home."

The secluded piazza erupted into chaos with the harsh blare of polizia sirens as several squad cars converged. The wailing echoed off the old buildings, disturbing pigeons that took flight in a chaotic flurry of wings.

My personal security met them, commanded by Rafaello. The black SUVs with the gold Diamanti crest on the side doors loomed over the smaller police cars.

Leaning down, I swept her into my arms, supporting the backs of her knees and torso.

She struggled, pushing against my chest.

Through clenched teeth, she said, "Put me down. Now."

I ignored her as I greeted Rafaello with a nod, my body tense.

He gave Sabrina a crooked smile. "Well, Sabrina, you certainly know how to shake up a boring morning." At her confused stare, he placed his hand over his heart and gave her a slight bow. "Rafaello Dante Diamanti at your service."

Her brow furrowed. "You're Sebastian's brother."

He winked. "For my sins."

Not liking his flirtatious tone, I cleared my throat as I tightened my grasp on Sabrina, my fingers digging possessively into her flesh. "I need to get her out of here." I nodded toward the crowd. "The cell phones⁠—"

"I know the protocol, brother. It's already being taken care of."