Trapped (Sinners of Boston #5)

3. Delilah

THREE

DELILAH

Breathe.

I forced myself to inhale as I followed Santino into a small office. The air felt heavier in here, but the suffocating feeling didn’t come from the room.

He was gorgeous. No one told me Santino had an athlete’s body honed from years of brutality, or that he stood at an imposing height that made the office seem smaller. His tanned skin was tempting, and his voice was like silk. His raven black hair blended into the shadows.

Get a grip, Delilah.

But getting locked in a room with him wasn’t doing anything for my nerves.

Santino’s palm slipped from my back as he shut the door with a soft click. He turned around, his movements rigid. His expression clouded with suspicion as he gave me a once-over. Then his glance fell to my legs, and his mouth softened.

He pulled out a chair. “Sit.”

I sank into the wooden chair.

He stepped around me and shrugged off his jacket. A white dress shirt clung to his chest, stretching over broad muscles. He folded the jacket over the chair and sat. He rolled up his sleeves. Each roll exposed thick forearms, corded with veins and tattoos. My heart throbbed as I studied them.

“So, what can I do for you?” he asked.

“I need help leaving my fiancé.”

Santino’s brow lifted.

I swallowed, my fingers tightening around the edge of the chair. “I was pushed into an engagement. My father doesn’t care about what I want. His only concern is how it’ll benefit the Bratva, but I can’t go through with it.”

He darkened. “Why?”

“My fiancé is an abusive piece of shit.”

“What’s his name?”

“Dimitri Petrova.”

He crossed his arms. “You don’t look like a woman who needs saving. What’s stopping you from walking away?”

“Dimitri will kill me. And if he doesn’t, my dad will do it for him.”

“Who’s your dad?”

“Mikhail. He’s Pakhan.”

His stare drilled into me. “You know what kind of risk you’re taking just being here, right?”

“I don’t have a choice.”

“You’ve picked a dangerous one.”

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get out.”

He stared at me. Then he stood up, rounding the desk and leaning against the edge.

“Out of all the people in Boston you could’ve run to, why me?”

“Nobody can protect me like you.”

“Someone else could’ve found you first. They would’ve kidnapped you off the street and locked you up. Or worse, sold you to the highest bidder.”

“I know the risks.”

“You don’t. You think you’re desperate now? Some men wouldn’t have thought twice about raping you the moment you asked for help. They wouldn’t have stopped until you were broken. I could be one of them.”

My stomach clenched. “But you’re not.”

“How the hell would you know?”

“Because I’m not an idiot. I didn’t pick you randomly. I asked around. I watched you.”

“You watched me?”

“I came in here a few times. I followed you to the deli once.”

His lips curled. “And what did you find out?”

I wiped my palms on my skirt. “You don’t tolerate disrespect. Nobody crosses you without paying a price.”

“You’ve got me all figured out, huh?”

“No, but I know enough.”

He grabbed my chair, caging me within his arms. Then he lowered his head, so close that his scent swirled in my nose. His proximity alone set me on fire, but I wanted to bathe in his smell.

“You know nothing,” he said, his growl settling deep in my bones. “If I wanted to, I could ruin you right now.”

“Then why don’t you?”

“Because I’m intrigued. You walked into my world, knowing exactly who I am. That takes guts.”

“I’m desperate. Is that a dealbreaker for you?”

His scowl darkened. “Being a Romanov is.”

A lump formed in my throat. “You don’t understand what they’ll do to me.”

“What makes you think I’ll be any better?”

“You don’t kill women. You play with them and let them go.”

“What if I don’t? What if I end up liking you more than you bargained for?”

“I-I guess I’ll deal with it.”

A merciless smile carved into his face as I stammered my response. He was thoroughly enjoying himself. At least he was entertained.

His hand skimmed over the back of my chair, brushing the side of my arm. I tensed but didn’t pull away. He was testing my limits.

“You don’t know the first thing about what you’re asking for. You can’t handle me.”

I met his gaze, refusing to cower. “Yes, I can.”

“All it’ll take is one wrong move, and you’ll regret ever walking into my office.”

My pulse raced. “Then why haven’t you kicked me out?”

He shot me a wicked smirk. “Because I’m having fun. You knocked on the devil’s door, and now you’re wondering if he’ll release you.”

“I knew what I was doing when I came here.”

He arched a brow. “What’s your plan if I decide to take advantage of you?”

I faltered, and his grin deepened. “I’m counting on the fact that you like a challenge.”

“You’re more of a damsel.” He traced his fingers lightly over my wrist, the contact searing my skin. “Running to me for help.”

I clenched my fists. “You’re the only one who can help me, Santino.”

“That’s what makes this so interesting. You’re desperate enough to approach a man like me, even though you know I could hurt you for the fuck of it.”

“I’m not scared.”

“You should be. Because now that you’re here, I’m not sure I want to let you leave.”

“Then don’t. Keep me.”

Santino’s smile vanished, replaced by something darker. He looked like he was genuinely considering it. The idea of claiming me wasn’t a game anymore.

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Yes,” I choked out. “Help me. Please.”

“No more begging, Delilah.”

The cold edge in his voice faded enough to make my breath hitch. He reached out, his fingers brushing my cheek, a touch so soft it broke me. The walls I’d built up buckled. Tears burned before I could stop them. I turned my head, trying to escape him. I hated showing weakness, especially now. I couldn’t hold it back. My breathing shallowed and my vision blurred. I blinked furiously.

Oh God, I was unraveling right in front of him.

Santino grabbed a small box of tissues and pushed it into my hands. There was no pity in his gaze, just understanding.

I snatched a tissue and dabbed at my eyes.

Santino disappeared, and glasses clinked. He sank into the seat beside me, handing me a glass of dark amber liquid.

I lifted it to my mouth and drank.

Santino sipped his drink. “This won’t be simple.”

“I know.”

He balanced the glass on his knee. “Do you? Because this isn’t something I can do with a snap of my fingers. Not when you’re tangled up with people like your family. It’s gonna cost you.”

“What do you want?”

“ You . In every way a man can have a woman.”

Tingling pitted my stomach. “One time?”

“I’m not risking all this to get laid once. I’ll have you as often as I want.”

I balled the tissue in my hand. “For how long?”

A feline smirk tipped his mouth. “To be determined.”

“I need a timetable. I can’t be your plaything indefinitely.”

“You don’t make demands with me,” he warned, still smiling.

“What happens when you’re bored? I’m on my own, as far as Dimitri is concerned?”

He frowned. “I don’t take care of someone only to throw them away.”

My cheeks flushed. Hopefully, he’d blame it on the alcohol. My skin was too hot, and my mind kept racing. Did he mean that?

I drained my drink, and he refilled it. As soon as he finished pouring, I grabbed the glass and drank from it deeply.

“And when you’re done with me?” I asked.

He shrugged. “We go our separate ways.”

“But you’ll protect me? That’s…reasonable.”

“Nothing about this will be reasonable. I don’t share. I’m a jealous asshole. Once you’re mine, no other man so much as breathes near you. Also, this isn’t a business transaction. You don’t get to walk away when it’s convenient for you.”

I bit my lip. “And if I agree?”

“You’ll never see Dimitri again.”

“That’s all I want.”

His gaze didn’t leave mine. “Then it’s not a hard decision.”

It was , though.

Santino made it sound simple, like all I had to do was nod and my life would be fixed. I’d never have to face Dimitri or worry about my father’s wrath, but this clearly wouldn’t be an equal partnership.

What choice did I have?

I took a deep breath, reaching for the drink. I downed the rest in a gulp. My eyes met his again.

“When can you get me out?”