How onerous was it for me to imagine these phrases—even now?

Regardless of the warmth and my thirst, I marched on with renewed dedication. I’d survived far worse than a scorching day in Malta, and I wasn’t about to let Alex Falcone—or any man—influence my actions or feelings.

“By no means,” I vowed. “Any further, I’m taking again management. No extra feeling depressing. No extra desirous about the previous.”

The street stretched out earlier than me, shimmering within the warmth, and for the primary time since leaving the lodge, I felt a way of pleasure and anticipation. I didn’t know what lay forward, however I knew one factor for sure: No matter challenges I confronted, I’d meet them head-on, with out concern or hesitation.

Fuck what occurred again in Italy. And most significantly, fuck horny, dominant Italian males whose darkish, menacing eyes adopted me into my desires—even when they appeared like Alex Falcone.

CHAPTER FOUR

The cellphone’s shrill ring pierced the silence within the room and pulled me proper out of my ideas of replaying the most recent altercation with Fiona Donnelly—which stored me from going over the mildly disturbing report I received.

Rattling lady. How might anybody be so cussed…and never even in the slightest degree intimidated by me?

Gabe’s identify and face stared at me earlier than I picked up.

“Hey, bro.”

“Hey, are you aware the place Payment is? She’s not in her room, and her cellphone isn’t reachable.”

Not reachable? We’ve received good reception all around the resort. My abdomen twisted into knots. Rattling lady once more. She was nothing however defiance and bother.

I ought to’ve remembered when Gabe requested me to keep watch over her. I ought to’ve extra adamantly refused. “No, however I’m positive she’s round someplace. I advised her she will’t depart the lodge with out an escort.”

“You talked to her and advised her she will’t depart?” Gabe’s voice sounded unusual.

I leaned again. “Yeah, why?”

Gabe sighed. “And she or he agreed?” He sounded as if he was biting his lip or one thing.

“Sure, are you attempting to cover amusing?”

Gabe chuckled. “Keep in mind when Sophie tried to climb off the deck?”

“After you kidnapped her and locked her in your room?” I hesitated. What was he getting at? “Sure, Cristo advised me.”

“Effectively, Payment has Sophie’s rebellious streak, instances ten. If you happen to advised her she will’t depart, I guess she left the minute you took your eyes off her.”

He chuckled once more. “Ought to’ve warned you, sorry, bro. She’s a handful. And doubtless much more so now that we dragged her right here. Are you able to deal with her?”

I narrowed my eyes.

Deal with her?

If she dared to go away, I’d way more than deal with her. “Certain factor.”

“Thanks, bro,” Gabe stated earlier than hanging up.

I lowered my cellphone, then turned again to my laptop and pulled up the lodge’s safety footage. A foreboding feeling settled over me like a darkish cloud.

Rattling brat.

If she hadn’t listened to my warning and had gone off on her personal, I’d…

No clue what I’d do together with her. Lock her up? No marvel Gabe resorted to that with Sophie, if that was the one technique to preserve these Donnelly ladies in verify.

I flipped via the screens till I had the one surveilling the driveway, then scrolled again in time till I discovered the second when Payment had left the complicated—clearly disobeying my orders.

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