The Taste Of Revenge (War of Sins Book 1)

Noelle

'I'm serious, Noelle. Don't give Cisco any ideas to lock you away, because he will,' Amo decides to give me one last warning as the car pulls into the parking lot, next to Carlos' car.

'And I told you I'll be on my best behavior,' I sigh as I turn to him. 'I know he's exasperated with me, so I won't push my luck.'

Exasperated would be putting it mildly, though.

Since he'd moved me from our mother's house and into his own, I've been under constant surveillance—be it from my family or my guards. The only time I'm allowed to go out is when I have my therapy appointment, but even then I have an entire entourage that accompanies me to and from the location.

'Good,' he nods at me, quickly parking and making to leave the car.

Opening the door, I jump down, my feet making contact with the pavement.

Taking a deep breath, I realize I've missed the fresh air of the night. Being cooped up in the house has definitely given me a new appreciation for freedom and for open spaces. And so I take full advantage of this as I bask in the light breeze of the evening. It takes me a while to realize everyone's already moved away.

Amo is ahead of me, and as I swiftly turn to follow, I bump into a hard chest. Reeling, I stumble back, almost losing my equilibrium.

And as I raise my eyes up, it's to be met with chilling blue ones.

He's standing still, his hands behind his back as he simply watches me, coldness emanating from every pore in his body. It's in the way he's perusing me with a glint of arrogance, his mouth slightly curled up in disgust.

I teeter on the heels of my feet, barely stabilizing myself as I put a hand on the car door, gripping it for support.

He doesn't move. He doesn't make any effort to help me, though it would be the polite thing to do. He's just staring at me with unnatural stillness, his muscled arms bulging even under the suit he's wearing.

I blink, disconcerted.

It's almost as if he's holding himself back from doing me bodily harm.

'Sorry,' I mumble, the silence doing a number on me as he just keeps on staring.

He doesn't answer. He merely tilts his head, as if studying me.

'Why?' He finally replies, his gruff voice sending a shiver down my back. 'Why are you sorry?' he continues, narrowing his eyes at me as he awaits my answer.

Frowning, I give him a look of confusion.

What's wrong with him?

'For bumping into you?' I ask tentatively, watching for any signs of amusement on his face.

'How sorry are you?' he inquires in a bored tone, an eyebrow raised as he regards me with condescension.

'What?' I croak.

'I asked,' he says, taking one step towards me. It's pure instinct that has me backing away from him, retreating as he's advancing. He notices that too, a low smirk pulling at his lips. 'How sorry are you?' He rolls his r's in such a way his throaty vibrations resemble a purr.

'Uhm,' I purse my lips, taken aback by the entire exchange. 'Very?' I answer and his lips stretch out in a full, languid smile as he takes another step forward.

My eyes on his, I feel lost in his gaze, a prickling sensation of familiarity gnawing at me. He notices it too, and it amuses him to have such an effect on me.

It's even worse, though, when he takes one more step, placing himself directly in front of me. Still holding eye contact, he grabs a strand of my hair, rolling it between two fingers. As if hypnotized, I feel frozen to the spot, unable to break eye contact.