Chapter 337

Clifford refused to engage, driving the car in heavy, suffocating silence.

Piqued, Yesenia whipped her head toward the passenger window. She didn't want to fight either. Every time they argued, he would vanish, ignoring her for weeks on

end.

Standing by the gates, Latisha watched the red taillights bleed into the rainy night until the car vanished completely. Her eyelashes fluttered as she finally lowered her gaze.

So... this was why he had blocked her.

A bitter, self-deprecating smile touched her lips. She turned around and began walking aimlessly into the freezing downpour.

Suddenly, a sleek black car pulled up aggressively, cutting off her path.

The back window rolled down, revealing a man's amused, aristocratic drawl. "Well, well. If it isn't my favorite sister-in-law. Locked out of the house, are we?"

Latisha froze. She slowly lifted her head and locked eyes with the man lounging in the backseat.

It was Santino. He wore his trademark, serpentine smile. His slightly wavy hair was slicked back, with a few stray strands falling carelessly across his forehead. Under the dim, amber glow of the streetlights, his beauty was almost aggressively mesmerizing.

Latisha pressed her lips together and completely ignored him.

"Not going to get in?"

She hugged her arms and kept walking. The luxury vehicle idled perfectly in pace with her. "If you refuse to get in, the night could get very... dangerous for a pretty little thing like you."

Latisha threw him a withering look.

As far as she was concerned, nothing in the dark was more dangerous than the man in that car.

Determined to tune him out, she quickened her pace. But without warning, the heavy car door swung open. A strong hand shot out, grabbing her wrist with a vise- like grip, and violently yanked her inside.

Latisha gasped, scrambling wildly against the leather seats, trying to lunge back out. But the heavy door slammed shut, the locks engaged, and the car instantly sped away.

Santino's suffocating presence immediately boxed her in.

Latisha shrank into the furthest corner, staring at him like a trapped animal. "What are you so afraid of?"

He reached out, his cool fingers tracing her jawline before brushing the wet, plastered hair away from her face, fully exposing her terrified expression.

"Look how silly you are," he murmured, his voice laced with poison. He leaves with another woman, so why shouldn't you leave with another man? That makes it perfectly even, wouldn't you say?"

"Then you wouldn't be the loser in this game."

Latisha jerked her face away from his touch, turning her head toward the window, refusing to acknowledge him.

A chilling smile curled Santino's lips. His dark eyes devoured her trembling form. "You know, I don't think I've ever heard your voice."

Latisha stiffened.

He grabbed her chin, forcefully turning her face back toward him. His smile widened into something demonic. "Say a few words for me."

Staring into his beautiful, hypocritical face, a violent shudder racked her body. Every time he smiled at her like that, absolute misery followed.

True to form, his hand suddenly shot up, wrapping brutally around a fistful of her wet hair Are you going to speak? Because if you don't, going to have to get physical."

Pain exploded across Latisha's scalp. She glared at him in pure, unadulterated terror. Forcing her neck rigid, she parted her trembling lips.

Summoning every ounce of air in her lungs, she practically choked out the words, "N-No... stop."

A deeply satisfied grin washed over Santino's face. He slowly released her hair and possessively patted her pale cheek. "Good girl."

Latisha clutched her ruined, soaked clothes and curled herself into a tight, defensive ball.

In the front, the driver kept his eyes on the road, though he kept stealing greedy glances at the rearview mirror, utterly fascinated by the drama.

About forty minutes later, the car rolled up to a massive, unfamilia

estate. The driver immediately, he

jumped out popped open umbrella, and rushed to open Santino's door.

Santino's leg hadn't fully healed from his 'accident', making his exit slightly awkward.

Once he was standing, he looked back at Latisha, his tone dripping with mockery. "Are you planning on sleeping in my car?"

Latisha remained frozen in the corner, her teeth chattering violently.

A faint, irritated crease formed between Santino's brows. He took the umbrella from the driver and tipped his chin toward the back seat. "Go check on her."

"Right away, sir." The driver jogged to the other side and yanked the door open. Because Latisha was pressing all her weight against it, she instantly tumbled out. Thankfully, the driver had quick reflexes and caught her before she hit the concrete.