Broken by His Hand - Piper Stone Page 0,79
identity. I won’t break. I promise you.”
“No, I suspect you won’t. You truly are one of the strongest individuals I’ve ever met.”
“The same person sent the flowers,” I said absently.
“Yes, the calligraphy is similar, the color of ink red.” He moved toward the box, gripping with enough force I thought he’d crush the contents. When he ripped away at the tape, finally able to peer inside, I recoiled from the expression on his face. “Motherfucker.”
“What is it?”
Very slowly he turned, holding what appeared to be a dog leash in his hand. “The first was the dog biscuits. The second, a spiked collar. Now, this.”
“What does the note say?” I heard the strain in my voice. Who was this sick asshole?
He didn’t need to reread it. “I hope you can control your pet.”
“Jesus.”
“As you might imagine, my thoughts drift to you, other than the fact the first box was delivered almost at the exact same time as my accident occurred. So, unless you were made a part of this ridiculous ruse, it’s coincidental, although I refuse to take a chance. Now, maybe you’ll understand that while I might know what or who I’m dealing with, the person responsible is dangerous.”
Easing against the seat, a moment of real fear scuttled into me. “I’m sorry I’ve fought you the entire time.”
“Can I trust you, Sophia?”
It took me a minute to realize what he was insinuating. “Wait a minute, you think I’m a part of this, as if I’m leading you on until this jerkoff decides to make you pay for something?”
He simply gazed at me with his stone-cold eyes.
“You bastard. I can’t believe after all we’ve shared that you think I would betray you.”
“Trust me. As you said, everyone has a price.”
I fumbled to get out of the seat, lunging toward him, my hand curled into a fist. He snapped his hand around my wrist, stopping me inches away from his face. “I know you are not a part of this; however, I think you may have an idea of who could be.”
“I live in an entirely different world than you do, Michael. How the hell would I know anything?” I was still shaking from my own round of anger. “I’m not your enemy. As a matter of fact, I’m trying to give a damn about you.”
“Why? Why do you care so much about me, Sophia? As you said, we don’t live the same life, our preferences in almost all things unknown and you constantly fight my control, something I was very upfront with you that I require. So why?” He walked closer, fingering the leash as if it was something he’d purchased.
For me.
“Because I love you,” I spouted off, hissing after I did so. Then I laughed, shaking my head before returning to my seat. “Call me stupid. Crazy. Whatever. I am a fool.”
His exhale exaggerated, he moved closer, dropping to his knees. “I never believed you were a part of this, Sophia.”
“Then trust me.”
“I do trust you.”
“After what you just told me, how can I believe you? How? I also don’t want to be betrayed. I couldn’t stand the thought of having you watch me, as if I also had a price.”
“I wouldn’t do that,” he growled.
“Maybe not now, but if what you told me is true, there will always be assholes coming out of the woodwork to take you and your family down. Powerful politicians. Mafia kingpins. Hell, maybe even the chief of police. From what I’ve heard, they are members of your club. So why should I ever believe that you will trust me?”
He dropped his head, taking several deep breaths. When his looked me in the eyes, I could see tears in his.
“Because I love you, Sophia. Because I can’t live another minute without you. Because I would die for you.”
Chapter Fourteen
Michael
Love.
What the hell did I know about love? Every single word that Sophia had said to me was justified. All the insults. All the anger tossed in my direction. All the inuendoes about the way I’d behave in the future.
All true.
That was the man I’d become, merciless in dealing with everyone, including myself. I’d lost sight of everything I thought I’d become, the joy that I would find in my life. All for the sake of following in my father’s footsteps. I’d made my bed. It was time to stop lamenting over my decision and finally take the helm.
Even as I mulled over the words in my mind, convinced my approach was the right one, I couldn’t