Chapter 42

Katie’s POV

A brief image of me licking away the sweet-smelling alcohol flashes through my mind, but I quickly push it to the darkest corner of my brain. He’s attractive, but he is a monster. I can’t let my physical attraction to him distract me.

Watching him more closely, I can tell he is of Italian descent, which explains why he used the word ‘piccolo.’ His dark complexion, along with his dark hair and eyes, tells me he is. His body and hands are large, his whole presence is large.

“I hope you think of this place as a home, not a prison.” His words are gentle, and...