Chapter 12 What the actual fuck was wrong with me ? carpet . The cleanup crew worked in silence , efficiently removing all traces of the bloodbath . One of them even used a special vacuum on the Within fifteen minutes , you'd never know three people had died here . They nodded at me as they left , carrying their macabre packages . I poured myself a generous glass of what looked like very expensive whiskey and downed half of it in one gulp . The burn in my throat felt real , grounding me in this bizarre reality . Leonardo emerged from the bedroom looking refreshed and impeccable in clean black pants and an unbuttoned white shirt . His hair was still damp , and water droplets clung to his chest . He looked like sin personified . " Better ? " he asked , pouring himself a drink . " You just killed three people , " I said flatly . " They came here to kill me , " he countered . " Business disagreement . They chose violence ; I simply responded in kind . " And this is normal for you ?" " Not ideal , but occupational hazard . " He sat beside me , close enough that I could smell his body wash . " I understand if you want to back out of our arrangement . The money is still yours . " I should run . Any sane person would . But something kept me rooted to the spot . Maybe it was a shock , Maybe it was morbid curiosity . Maybe it was the way his shirt hung open , revealing that perfect chest . ' I don't know what to do , " I admitted . " What do o you want to do ? His voice dropped lower , intimate . " I should be terrified of you . " But you're not . It wasn't a question . " I'm scared of what that says about me . " Leonardo's hand found mine , his thumb tracing circles on my palm . " It says you recognize power and aren't afraid of it . That's rare , Hannah . And Incredibly attractive . " His touch sent electricity up my arm . Despite everything - the bodies , the blood , the revelation of who he really was - my body responded to him . Heat pooled between my legs , and my nipples hardened beneath my dress . " This is insane , " I whispered . " Life often is . " He leaned closer , his breath warm against my ear . " Tell me to stop , and I will . " But I didn't want him to stop . God help me ; I wanted him more now , knowing how dangerous he was . What did that say about me ? The sensible part of my brain screamed at me to run , to get as far away from this beautiful , deadly man as possible . But my body had other ideas . " This is your last chance , Hannah , " Leonardo said , his voice low and dangerous . His fingers traced a path up my arm , leaving goosebumps in their wake . " Walk out that door now , and we forget this ever happened . The money is still yours . But if you stay … His eyes darkened . " If you stay , you're mine . For everything that entails ." I swallowed hard . " What exactly does that entail ? " His smile was predatory . " Pleasure beyond anything you've experienced . Protection from anyone who might harm you . And yes , occasional …. complications like tonight . " " You mean dead bodies ? " * Occupational hazard . " Chapter 12 I should have been running for the door . Instead , I leaned closer to him , drawn like a moth to a flame that would surely burn me . " I'm not running , " I whispered . Leonardo's hand moved to my face , cupping my cheek with surprising gentleness . " Last chance . " I'm staying . " His lips crashed against mine , hungry and demanding . Nothing like the tentative kisses I'd experienced with college boys . Leonardo kissed me like he owned me , his tongue pushing past my lips to claim my mouth . I moaned against him , my hands clutching at his shoulders .