chapter 6

Rosalie

Even now, while I think of him, I find a little quiver down the bridge of my nose, remembering how sweetly he’d kissed me last night.

I don’t need to make enemies of those who have been nothing but a friend.

With that in mind, I sigh and leave the USD stick and memory card on the table. As an unspoken apology for what I was about to do.

Now, I need to get the fuck out of here and away from Illinois before George starts looking for me or Felix discovers who I am.

I get up from the chair, grab my phone and turn around only to find myself staring at the most handsome and, by far, angriest man I’ve ever seen.

“Felix,” I whisper. My voice trails off. Say something, I tell myself, but I can’t form thoughts or words.

He remains quiet. His dark, almost black eyes are a bottomless pit of mysterious rage.

“Please, let me explain,” I begin, but I don’t know what to say.

He doesn’t say anything but steps closer to me, his body language exuding anger and frustration.

I can feel his breath on my cheek as he leans close, trapping me between him and the table. His hand snakes out and grabs my wrist, causing me to gasp in surprise. His grip is tight, almost painful, but I can’t pull away.

“You lied to me, Emily,” he growls, his other hand grabbing my other wrist. “Who the hell are you really?”

I swallow hard, trying to keep my nerves under control.

“I’m still the same person I was yesterday,” I say, trying to sound confident.

“I just...I had my reasons for not telling you everything.”

“And what reasons would those be?” he demands, his eyes flashing with fury.

I bite my lip, feeling a hot blush creeping up my neck.

I can’t tell him the truth - that I was running from some dangerous people, that I’ve done things I’m not proud of. That I’m a Battaglia.

But at the same time, I can’t bear the thought of lying to him anymore.

But he doesn’t let go of my wrists. Instead, he pulls me towards him, his body pressing against mine.

I can feel how close he is to me, how much I want him, and it sends a shiver down my spine despite everything.

“Please, Felix,” I whisper again, but there’s a hint of longing in my voice this time.

But he doesn’t listen.

He grabs me roughly. His grip is brutal and unforgiving as he lifts me off the ground and slams me against the wall, causing a loud thud.

I gasp in pain and shock, but he doesn’t let go of my wrists. He stares into my eyes with an intensity that sends chills down my spine before his gaze drops to my lips.

I can feel his breath coming faster now, accompanied by a slight shake in his hands that I hadn’t noticed before.

Then without warning or hesitation, his lips crash against mine, and suddenly I’m completely powerless against him as he kisses me so fiercely it nearly takes my breath away.

The kiss ends as quickly as it began, and Felix pulls back from me abruptly, gripping me tighter now to ensure I won’t escape him under any circumstances.

He looks deep into my eyes one last time before pushing himself off the wall and dragging me out of the house like a rag doll he wants nothing else to do with.

“Felix,” I mutter.

“I can’t...I can’t say,” I stammer, feeling tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. “Please, Felix, just let me go.”

“Shut up,” he barks, pushing me down to do a full body check outside his door.

He runs his hands down my legs and along the sides of my torso before checking inside, under my skirt and back pockets.

He holds my breasts, searching every crevice. This time, slower.

He lingers there for an eternity until I can feel his grip loosen ever so slightly as if he’s almost convinced himself that I haven’t taken anything from him.

His hands move through my pockets, rummaging and searching for whatever could be hidden away. He finds my phone, takes it, throws it to the ground, and crushes it with his feet.

Finally satisfied that there’s nothing I have on him or from him, he releases me and takes a step back, allowing me to take in a much-needed breath of air.

He glares at me, his face hard and angry as he speaks.

“You may not know this about me, Emily - or whatever your name is,” his lips curl in contempt.

“But I’m a very powerful man. They'd be dead if anyone else tried this shit in my house.

Hear what I have to say, loud and clear - don’t you ever come back here,” he growls, threateningly pointing his finger in my face.

“If I see you again in this state, I’ll fuckin’ kill you.”

And just like that, the man who so lovingly caressed me just a few hours ago left me with another hit on my head.

With no phone or belongings on me, I have no choice but to go to the White Rabbit, grab some cash, and make a run for it.