Chapter 18

Never in my life had I been rendered speechless like I was at this moment. My mouth opened and closed, no sound leaving it while my eyes were glued to Vittore's dark ones. He looked at me waiting, calmly, patiently. I knew anger shimmered behind his cold gaze but why?

The hits Maddox gave me were necessary, hell I even asked for them. I didn't think Vittore would care for the damage on my face or ask how I got them. I hadn't prepared for this moment.

I wasn't prepared.

Since the "safe house" I had been trained to be ready for anything. Kidnapped by the U.S government, I could escape. Left stranded in a desert, I could survive. Abandoned in Antartica, I could live. Strapped to a chair with a bomb, I could save my life. Stranded on an island, I could get back. Bound and anchored to the bottom of the sea, I could free myself.

But never in those 4 years was I prepared for the intense gaze of a man by the name of Vittore. Never in those 4 years was I prepared for the warmth of his hands on