Being sold into an arranged marriage had been terrifying enough; Luca had kidnapped me and was telling me that I’d be forced to marry him against my will. Dante scared me, but in this moment, Luca was the more terrifying monster.

He grimaced. “I won’t start a war within our own organization. I don’t intend to tear the family apart before I even take control. Your father has made an error in judgment. Not all of his men agree with his scheme to choose Dante over me. They came to me and told me about his plans. I won’t kill your father because too many of our men respect him. I might hate the old bastard, but I won’t spill his blood. But the alliance with Dante won’t go forward. I’ll have his daughter under my control, and your father will fall in line.”

“So, I’m your hostage, then,” I said bitterly.

“You’ll be my wife,” he bit out. “It doesn’t have to be unpleasant for you. I take care of my own.”

“I’m not yours,” I insisted again. “I’ll never be yours. I don’t belong to anyone but myself.”

A shadow danced over his granite jaw. “You’re wrong, Elenora. You belong to me now. Whether you like it or not is your choice.”

With each damning statement, he leaned closer, his quick breaths hot on my cheeks.

I suppressed a shiver and gathered my courage. “I won’t marry you.”

His lips pressed to a grim line, holding in further words of rebuke. For a tense moment, I thought I might’ve held my ground. I thought he would let me go.

My heart leapt into my throat when his big hands bracketed my waist, dragging me toward him. I released a harsh cry as he manhandled me, fear searing through my righteous fury. I struggled, limbs swinging wildly. My fist glanced off his jaw, and he growled in warning. His hands clamped my wrists, pulling my arms behind my back and pinning them there. He used the leverage to shove me down, until I was draped over his lap. I writhed, shrieking in animal panic and rage as the world swirled around me. I couldn’t think; all that existed was deep, primal fear that coursed through my veins with every rapid beat of my heart.

One of his huge hands easily shackled my wrists, and the other gripped the hem of my skirt. He yanked the material up, and I choked on a shocked cry as he stripped away my modesty, leaving my white cotton underwear exposed. Leaving me exposed. I suddenly felt small and unbearably vulnerable.

My scream died in my throat. “What are you doing?” I managed to force myself to form a coherent question, but it was little more than a breathless whisper. There wasn’t enough oxygen in the car.

“You will be my wife, Elenora.” His dark warning was followed by a sharp slap, and a rush of heat stung my bottom. Before I could draw in the air to cry out, he landed another blow. “You will obey me.” Another slap, another gasp for breath. “You will not fight me on this.”