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TOB 50 ROSE AMARA POV My wrists are being held captive on top of my head by Ethan, who is hovering above me with his thighs on either side of me. He has me so firmly confined that no matter how hard I try, I cannot even begin to break free of his vicious grip. I attempt to lift my knee and kick him in the balls, but he smirks as if sensing my aim and presses his legs into my thighs instead. Simple, tigress. I turned my head aside while huffing. I need to look away from him for a moment. In addition, I am only reminded of his outrageous treatment of my body in this posture and in my comfortable bed. "Do you recall our first encounter? In a low, almost hoarse voice, Ethan asks. 'No." He turns me to face him and gently grabs my chin, saying, "Right. You lost your memory." He makes sure I'm looking at him before slipping his thumb under my lower lip. You and Nikolai, who was infuriatingly Russian and liked to express it even in ballet performances, went to see this Swan Lake performance by some European ballet the first time I saw you, which was roughly nine years ago. Adrian also attended because he was curious about that. You were holding Nikolai's arm and sporting matching white gloves to your clothing. It reminded me of a distant sight that I had long since forgotten, since it was lengthy and dazzling in the light. Angels. "Those are from my father's favorite paintings, not real ones. You were chatting animatedly about the performance with Nikolai and Adrian. As he listened to you, your grandfather's eyes had laughing wrinkles around them. Do you know what I was thinking at the time? " His calm recollection of our first meeting kept my lips pursed the entire time he was talking. I recall that day because, despite the fact that I believed him to be another of Uncle Raven's "killers," I was somehow drawn to the shine in his eyes and how they began to darken as if he were attempting to pull everyone into that void. My voice doesn't shatter, it's as calm as his, "No." I'd prefer not to know. He continues as if I hadn't said anything, "I thought you looked like a typical mafia princess." I was quickly disproved, though, after hearing you speak with Nikolai. You weren't entitled or acting like a brat with advantages; rather, you were honest, knew what you wanted, and pursued it. Telling me about the past won't change anything, she said. "It will, yes. How else will we be able to reacquaint ourselves? " "Why ought we?" I won't let you sleep separate from me because you're my wife, and I'm not some f-cking stranger; if you want familiarity, I'll give it to you. "What if I need more room?" "I don't think about outer space. That word was created by losers who were unable to understand themselves. "And you do?" He says with such confidence, "I have," that even I am taken aback. "What now?" " Will you continue to hold me in this way? " "I'm also sharing some history with you." "The one you don't want to hear about, I said." The first time I met you was after the ballet. You don't go to those anymore because they remind you of Nikolai. The one time you went to one after his death, you hid in a corner and reemerged with your eyes red. Since they weaken you, and you can't allow weakness, you stop going altogether. Where was I? Right, the first time I met you was after the ballet. He shouldn't have been aware of that. I made sure that neither Zeth nor Eya thought I was that way. "So, Princess, that's the issue. Not only did I see your strength, but I also saw your frailty. Nikolai asked me to keep an eye on him when I wasn't on a sniper assignment, so it was inevitable that it would happen. Although you were proud and unwilling to acknowledge it when you needed assistance, you were a quick learner. Since you wouldn't leave me alone, it was clear that you enjoyed my company, and that's when you developed feelings for me." The most annoying thing is that I can't oppose him, since that would suggest I remember, and I didn't fall in love with him. 'However, Princess, I am the highly likable type." 'You've got to be joking, right?" 'We got up early every morning and went for a jog; after that, I taught you how to shoot long distances because, as you mentioned, Hades is a lousy teacher." 'That was said by him, not by me." Jesus. He mixes lies and truths in his storytelling so expertly. If I didn't know my own memories, I wouldn't think it was possible. "It goes without saying that you grew to love me more and more each day. Particularly after I essentially saved your sister. I disagree with all of that." He brushes his lips against mine, and I taste something different from any of the other times he's kissed me, but I can't quite place what it is. "I'm the one with the memories, remember?" he says. Although Ethan has always had a unique taste and odor, right now it seems to be a combination of longing, hopelessness, and something more. That doesn't imply that what you said actually happened. "It did." "Perhaps in your dreams." "In my nightmares, I'm thrusting into your wet cunt and experiencing its strangling effects, as you call my name. Would you like me to demonstrate? " My cheeks suddenly bleed. How is it that he can speak such trash and still be so composed? I feel like I'm going to blow up. "Let me leave." 'You like that phrase, but you ought to know by now that it doesn't apply to me. I must continue to touch you and become aroused. "That's false!" His eyes sparkled with challenge. "Want me to demonstrate it for you? " 'No!" He continues, "I'm in the mood to check," as his fingers leave my face and grab my dress's fabric. Sh-t He can't get that close. He simply cannot. Because I'm still deciding how I'll respond to him if he continues. 'Will you try to force yourself on me?" 'What the f-ck did you say? He asks, pausing, his deep blue eyes focusing on me. 'If you go any further, you will be taking me against my will, since I don't want this." He reiterates, "Against your will," as if tasting the words. "Well, you're not?" His voice is so evil that I can feel it in my bones as he says, "If I want to f-ck you, I will." "You're my wife, Rose. You made vows, said "I do," and guess what? I believe in death we f-cking part. I can and will use your body against you until you beg me for more." My heartbeat thumps like a thousand bombs dropped simultaneously. I make an effort to control it and focus on the current circumstances, but I can't because of the way his eyes hold me captive. He will carry out his threat, and I lack the willpower and stamina to flee. I clamp my eyes shut in order to avoid looking at him as his mouth hovers an inch above mine. If I don't, perhaps all will end and— After touching my forehead with his kisses, Ethan releases me. I blink, but before I can respond correctly, he pulls me up onto his back so that my head rests against his chest. "Sleep for the time being, Princess; you're tired. When you regain your strength, I'll deal with you.