I almost hope she wants to fight. Pinning her down, feeling her, getting a taste of what sort of woman she is—I can deal with her brattiness as long as I get what I want in the end.
The only problem is, I’m beginning to suspect I want more than just keeping Carter’s sister safe. No. I want Apollonia, every bit of the lioness I’ve captured in this bed.
3
Apollonia
Both fear and anger battle inside me. Arousal, too. Not sure where the hell that one came from. I’ve heard that in combat, men often get hard. That has to be what this is. I could never be attracted to a man like Cato. Not when I know what’s under that ruggedly handsome exterior.
He stares down at me, waiting for my answer. He has a lot more patience than I thought he would. I don’t want to do anything he asks me, but I’m not sure I have a choice in that anymore.
“You’re hurting me.” I give a small pull on my wrist. His hands loosen, but he doesn't let go.
“Are you going to calm down?”
No. I don’t say that out loud. I close my eyes tightly. I’m not going to calm down. I don’t think I could be calm if I wanted to. Everything inside me is screaming. I feel so much anger and sadness.
“Apollonia.” He says my name softer.
He isn’t hurting me. Not really. And if he wanted me dead? I'd be dead. He also doesn't think I’m a threat. The only other person I saw was an older woman who looked at me like I’d escaped from an insane asylum. None of Cato’s baboons from the funeral are lurking around. I've made it my business not to know much about Cato, but I do know that when he gives orders, people follow them.
“I just—” My voice trembles. His grip loosens more as he pulls some of his weight off me. I sniffle “I miss him.” I begin sobbing and try to sit up.
He lets me as I sob into my hands. It’s not hard to cry. I’ve been doing it for days. All the emotions are right there simmering under the surface. I’ve been holding them back. Waiting for a chance to mourn in my own time. Now is not that time, but Cato doesn’t need to know that. That’s part of my plan.
He touches my shoulder. Is he trying to soothe me? I make a hiccup sound. I’m good at this. “Can I have a tissue?” I pull my hands a little away from my face so I can see him.
“Right here.” He leans over to grab one off the nightstand. I shove him as hard as I can, and when my feet hit the ground, I run. I hear him curse behind me, but I don’t stop as I burst from the room.
I have no idea where the hell I am. I just keep running down the long hallway. I don’t dare look behind me. I don’t have to. I can hear him. He’s a big man and definitely not light on his feet. There’s no denying that he’s coming for me.
My lungs already burn when I turn to see stairs that go down. Down is out. It has to be. I almost trip but get my bearings. Cato curses again from behind me. I see two large doors, but two equally large men stand next to them. I turn. I think they are going to make a grab for me, but they don’t move.
I run toward the sunlight, which leads into the kitchen. I grab the door handle and pull it open. Bright light assaults my eyes while fresh air fills my lungs.
“You’re going to hurt yourself.”
I hear him growl. I look over my shoulder to see him standing in the kitchen staring at me. He’s not even out of breath. Asshole.
“Better than being raped,” I throw back at him before I take off through the door to the outside.
This time I can see. Not that it really helps. All I see is endless rolling green. I should stop. It’s pointless really, but it feels good to feel physical pain instead of all the emotional things I’ve been feeling over the last few days. My legs burn, my breathing is labored, but somehow it’s cathartic. I move, knowing I’ll be caught, but that doesn’t matter right now.
I round a set of bushes and come to a halt. A little boy lifts his head and smiles. The same blue eyes my brother had stare up at me. I stand stunned for a few moments before the little boy holds one of the flowers from the bush up to me. I glance over to see Cato standing there watching me but still giving me space.
“Hi.” I drop to my knee and try to bottle up the surprise and anxiety under a calm façade. “What are you doing out here?”
He hands me the flower. He can’t be more than four. The cutest freckles sprinkle his nose. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.” I tuck it behind my ear. “Will you tell me your name?” He leans in real close. I turn my ear towards him.
“Carter.”
I fall back onto my ass, the façade already gone as my world spins. Carter. It can’t be. I stare. Those eyes. It’s him. A child, my brother had a child. I never knew. He never said a word. Why wouldn’t he tell me?
The little boy keeps staring at me. “She’s pretty.” He looks up at Cato, who’s moved behind me.
“She is,” he agrees.
“Is this some cruel game you’re playing with me?” I try to keep the anger and hurt out of my tone, not wanting to scare the little boy. He’s not a part of whatever game Cato is playing with me.
“Not a game.”
I start to stand. Cato goes to help me, but I smack his hand away.
He sighs. “If you would only listen to me.”
I, of course, ignore him. I offer my hand to the little boy. Cato looks like he wants to say something else, but he doesn't.
“Are you hungry? I could use a snack.”
He takes my hand but frowns. “Flavia said I couldn’t have any more snacks until after dinner.”
“Well, I don’t think many people follow rules around here. It won’t be so bad if we break one.” I look at Cato. He motions for us to go. I return my attention to the boy and give his hand a small squeeze. “You coming?”
He repays me with a giant smile. Mischief dances in his eyes. The same ones I’ve seen thousands of times. Something lodges in my throat. I turn my head to the side and just try to breathe. Cato is there watching me. It takes everything I have not to cry, this time for real.
“Apollonia.” He says my name softly.
“Don’t.” I hiss and hold the boy's hand a little tighter. Confusion and anger start to rise again, like a tide I can’t escape. Even though I had been the one to run away from this life, I can’t believe I didn’t know this. How could Carter have not told me?
I swallow down all the emotion and plant a bright smile on my face. “I have to say, Carter. I ran from the house to here. I was sure I’d made it a good two miles. I don’t think it was even two blocks.” I didn't know I was so out of shape. I also never planned to run from crime bosses either.
“You might be faster with shoes on. I always run faster when my daddy gets me new shoes.” His smile drops, and he looks down. My heart breaks into a million pieces for the second time in the last few days.
If this precious boy is anything like his aunt, the promise of treats may be the only thing to soothe his battered heart. “Come. We’ll get that cookie.”
He nods and walks up to the house with me. Cato follows. When we make it to the back door, my feet throb. I think one might be bleeding. I’m exhausted. I want to pick the little boy up and hold him in my arms and sob forever. But that’s not an option.