The look on Matteo’s face when I’d drawn the large ‘X’ had been priceless, a perfect moment in my mind. No one had expected I would refuse to follow the rules. I was almost giddy as I reached the Mercedes, sliding my hand into my purse in order to find the key fob.
The sounds of the busy traffic outside were a reminder of how much I loved the city. The lights. The people. The entertainment. I’d begged my parents when I was younger to take me into the city, hating the quiet life in the Hamptons. While Florida wasn’t nearly as exciting, it was home and I would be glad to get back to it.
The single sound behind me made me bristle. When a strong pair of arms wrapped around me, yanking me against one hard body, a hand slapping over my mouth, fear unlike anything I’d ever known swept through me.
“You’re coming with me. There is no choice. You belong to me. Now and forever.”
* * *
Rage.
I’d known far too many instances of rage during the last day, more than ever before. I sat in the seat, the thick belt securely positioned not only in case of turbulence but as a reminder that I was to behave.
We were on a private plane, a jet housing every creature comfort anyone could ever ask for. Leather seats. The finest in entertainment equipment. A fully stocked bar. The location was meant for a top-level executive.
Or a man who fashioned himself to be God.
I had no way of knowing where we were going, Matteo’s silence likely given my performance at the Capodanno office. Once again, I’d made fools of them. I thought about what little I’d learned about him, including his company.
I’d had exactly one hour to search the internet for information regarding the Capodanno empire. The majority of business references were glowing, especially after Matteo had taken over the position as CFO. He and his brother were important in the world of land development, their projects worth billions of dollars. I’d also found plenty of older articles, mostly speculation, written by a reporter months before. Various pieces had alluded to the sect, but only heated speculation about it being anything other than a wealthy yet cult-like community.
The article highlighting the reporter’s death had been horrific, only creating a million additional questions in my mind.
With a few exceptions, including questions regarding several unexplained deaths over the years. My thoughts had immediately drifted back to the story my father had told me. Maybe it hadn’t been a made-up nightmare in order to keep me in line.
There were also fans across the entire world, all reveling in the luxurious lifestyle surrounding the special group of families.
The disgusting and very glamorous coverage on Stephanie and Christian’s wedding had turned my stomach, their representation of our community being Camelot reprehensible. There was nothing about the cult that was remotely about a fantasy, unless it was in a twisted and toxic world where evil always won.
The reports of the FBI looking into the Capodannos did create concern, even if the business now appeared to be squeaky clean. Although Christian and his firm had been cleared of any wrongdoings, there seemed to be questions that had remained, including which politicians and other influential partners had been paid very well to keep their mouths shut.
There had been some trouble on a few of the construction sites, buildings destroyed as well as vehicles torched. Just more speculation regarding the Capodanno power.
My conclusion had been that they were important but very dangerous people.
Especially if you crossed them and I’d done just that.
They also had enemies.
I shuddered, struggling to keep my resolve in check.
Matteo sat in the seat opposite of me, his eyes never leaving mine. He was even more gorgeous than before, now devoid of the restrictive jacket and tie he’d worn at the great contract signing. He’d rolled up his sleeves, showing off his magnificent muscular arms, his long fingers that I envisioned brushing down the length of my body.
I hated my thoughts, trying desperately to push them away. No matter what drifted into my mind, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. He’d taken me against my will for a serious reason and I doubted it was because I’d defied the sect. I fisted my hands, fighting the insane sexual urges, hating myself even more.
What the hell was really going on? I had no idea what to think.
He’d said very little after shoving me into his car, securing my wrists with