All Chapters of Craving His Captive: The Cartel Heir's Obsession (Book 1): Chapter 21 - Chapter 28

Elodie's POV The next morning, I woke to the sound of birds outside my window. For a brief second, I forgot where I was. Then the pale colored stone walls, the heavy wooden door, and the iron bars over the window came back into focus.Valiente's mansion.I let out a slow sigh and pulled the blanket away.My body felt much better than it had a few days ago. The dizziness was gone, and my legs no longer felt like they would give out beneath me. The doctor’s medicine—and the food I’d finally forced myself to eat—had done their job.Still… sleep hadn’t been kind to me. Every time I closed my eyes, I found myself back in the garden. Back to the way Valiente had stepped closer until I could smell him.Back to the quiet warning in his voice. 'Stay out of my affairs, Little Red.'I groaned and buried my face in my hands.“Why am I even thinking about him?”The sound of a key turning in the lock interrupted my thoughts. I quickly straightened as the door creaked open.I narrowed my eyes and s

Elodie's POV Valiente's voice yanked my back to the present. "Is your staring habit a psychological disorder?" He asked. "I thought that was only reserved for me?"I jerked and whipped my head to him, a small frown on my face. Then I sneered. "The only one at this table with any sort of psychological history is you."I ignored his last sentence. I couldn't battle in words with him.He chuckled. My stomach flipped. I'd almost forgotten what he looked like with that smile. "Maybe," he shrugged. His face was more relaxed now. Those protruding veins on his forehead had vanished. "But one can never tell, just by looking at the innocent little red."I glared at him, crossing my arms across my chest. "I am not innocent," I said before I could stop myself. "And stop calling me that," I said quickly, trying to mask my embarrassment, hoping he hadn't caught on to my first words. "I'm not little, nor red."His grin widened. His dark eyes watched Mr so closely, like a predator to its prey. "T

Elodie's POV I swallowed hard, my fist tightly clenched on my thighs under the table. I hated his tone. I hate that he had this much power over me. I hate how he gets away with everything.And I hate how powerless I am towards him.With a low sigh, I unclenched my fists and stood up, pushing the chair back and it made a screeching sound. I walked towards the chair on his right side. Pulling the chair out, I slipped in, my gaze staring down at the table. Valiente suddenly pulled the chair sharply toward him. I gasped at the suddenness of it. My chair hit the table and I jerked forward, almost falling off.He leaned closer, and I looked up at him, heart pounding loudly in my chest. "Continue to be defiant around me, and you'll get what you're asking for," he said, his voice dangerously low.I knew not to test him in this situation. I simply nodded, turning my head away.Soon, dinner was served and we started eating. At least, I was the one eating. Valiente's eyes were glued to his p

Elodie's POV I looked down at the gun, then back at him. With an annoyed sigh, I shoved it against his chest. “Take your stupid gun.”His fingers wrapped around it with practiced ease.In one smooth motion, he removed the magazine, checked the chamber, engaged the safety, and set the pistol on the desk behind him.The entire process took only a few seconds, like he’d done it a thousand times. He slipped the gun back into the drawer before closing it with a quiet click.“See?” He tucked both hands into his pockets. “We can get along when you let me take control.”My stomach twisted, hearing his words and seeing the smile on his face.I slowly shook my head, folding my arms tighter. “Don’t flatter yourself,” I said, and one of his brows rose. “I’m not interested in whatever twisted fantasy you’ve got planned.”“Twisted fantasy?” he repeated, sounding genuinely puzzled.“You kidnapped me, locked me in this mansion, and refuse to let me leave.” I scoffed. “Forgive me if I don’t believe y