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I wait a fewmy breath as I wonder if he’ll remove the hood froain ht, I see he's not in front of et s I’ around immediately to see the face of my captor, I take a look at the entryway of what I can only describe as a castle… or a cathedral

It's haunting but beautiful Money He has lots of money, unless this is so it But I doubt that’s the case I sense an air of authority fro of this palace The entire house is old It’s truly s that I nearly forget ot here

“Your new home, piccolina”

My heart stops in my chest His voice is hoarse and deep, but what really catchesme know I'm about to come face-to-face with the , but it's choppy and matches how I feel internally—terrified yet… excited

I'm not prepared for what my eyes behold when he comes to not just stand but tower overas I take in his raw masculine beauty He must be at least six and a half feet tall, his dark, luscious hair accentuating his features, thick lashes, and hazel eyes, his skin tan His lips are full His body is thick, but even under his clothes, I can tell there isn’t an ounce of anything but muscle DeLuca is a wall of marble and intimidation My eyes land on his, and that's when I see I' the other from head to toe

His too are eatingto , and I kno er I'm in Who is this man, and how did he find me?

“You're going to kill me, aren't you?” I can't help but ask, because as devilishly handsoly scary

“No,” he says quickly, bluntly

“Then why aive iven the family I'm a part of and the state of the world

He growls, “I would cut off the hands of any other man who’d dare to take you away from me Don't ask such foolish questions”

I step back a bit, his anger co off him so fiercely I feel the burn “I'm sorry I'm just afraid I don't knohy I'm here or what you plan to do Is it a ransom you’re after? My husband will pay you any amount”

Mohow undeniably dangerous he is—regardless of how irresistible hehis very presence is—I'm truly afraid

“Food Now,” he barks his order, and I jurier It’s probably best I learn to stay quiet if I want to make it out of this painlessly

Grabbing me by the arm, he pulls me toward the kitchen, and once there, he setsme on the cold marble with a firm look that tells me not to move

I don't say anything as he backs up sloatching tomy arms around myself in a sad attempt at self-protection and comfort, I drop my head

His deep voice ently, “Don't ever lower your head, Arabella You're too beautiful a wo cracks just a bit, showing liive hi redients fro

I would tell hiht mean the difference between the “easy way” and the “hard way”

My captor cooks, but his awareness ofme fro to make any suddenin the kitchen, I begin to shiver