His groin stirred and he forced himself to ignore the throb of arousal determined to make itself known. 'You're not leaving here until we have this discussion.'
'What we're having is not a discussion, senhor. What you're doing is holding me captive, torturing me with-'
She broke off, no doubt in reaction to his hiss of fury and the flash of icy memory that made his whole body go rigid for one long second.
Theo released her, turned away sharply and shoved his hand through his hair. He noted his fingers' faint trembling and willed himself to stop shaking.
'Th … Theo?' Her voice came from far away, filled with confusion and a touch of concern.
He willed away the effect of the trigger words and forced himself to breathe. But they pounded through his brain nonetheless-captive, prisoner, torture, darkness …
Fingers closed over his shoulder and he jerked around. 'Don't!'
She jumped back, snatching back her hand. It took several more seconds for him to recall where he was. He wasn't in some deep, dark hole in a remote farm in Spain. He was in Rio. With the daughter of the man who continued to cause his recurring nightmares.
'What's … what's wrong with you?' she asked with a wary frown.
He drew in a steady breath and gritted his teeth. 'Nothing. I'll get to the point. The agreement was that I'd take control of Da Costa Holdings and keep a fifty per cent share of the profits in exchange for liquidated funds to finance your father's political campaign. However, the papers your father had drawn up contain a major loophole that I can easily exploit.'
Slowly, his panic receded and he noticed she was absently rubbing her wrist. He quickly replayed his reaction to her touch and breathed a sigh of relief when he confirmed to himself that he hadn't grabbed her in his panic.
She continued to rub her skin and slowly another earthy emotion replaced his roiling feelings. He welcomed the pulse of arousal despite the fact that he had no intention of falling prey to the easy wiles of Inez da Costa. No matter how mouth-watering her body or how angelic her face.
'Shouldn't you be telling my father this, give him a chance to fix the loophole before you sign?'
He smiled at her naiveté. 'Why should I? I stand to gain by signing the agreement as it's drawn up.'
Her brow creased. 'Then why tell me about it? What's to keep me from telling my father about it the moment I leave here?'
'You won't.'
One expertly plucked eyebrow lifted. 'Again, I think you underestimate me.'
He strode to the extensively stocked bar and poured himself a shot of vodka. 'You won't because if you do I won't sign the agreement in any form. And the offer of financial backing vanishes.'
All trace of colour left her face. 'So this is a blackmail attempt. To what purpose?'
'The purpose needn't concern you. All I want you to know is that there is a loophole which I can choose to exploit or leave alone, depending on your cooperation.'
'But what is to stop you from going ahead with whatever you have planned after I've cooperated with … what exactly is it you want from me?'
'That's the simple part, anjo. I want to keep you. Until such time as I tire of you. Then you will be set free.'
* * *
When the full meaning of his words finally became clear, ice cascaded down Inez's spine. Despite the warm temperature, she shivered.
Oh, how easily he said the words. As if her answer meant nothing to him. But of course it did. He'd been planning this for a while. The meeting this morning outside the coffee shop-which she was now certain hadn't been coincidental-the dinner invitation that he'd probably known her father wouldn't be able to attend due to his long-standing monthly dinner with the oil minister, the invitation to the yacht, which was sure to cause a reaction in her brother, letting Pietro drink far more than he should've so he'd get her alone …
'You planned this,' she accused in a hushed tone because her throat was working to swallow down her rising anger.
'I plan everything, Inez,' he replied simply.
She looked into his face. The indomitable determination stamped on his harsh features sent a wave of anxiety through her.
She started to speak, to say the words that seemed unreal to her and her mouth trembled. His gaze dropped to the telling reaction and she immediately clamped her lips together. Showing weakness would only get her eaten alive.
Not that she wouldn't be anyway. A bubble of hysteria threatened. She swallowed and held his gaze.
'You want me to be your mistress?'
He laughed long and deeply. 'Is that what you would call yourself?'
She flushed. 'How else would you describe what you've just demanded of me? This keeping me? What you're suggesting is archaic enough to be described as such. Or does plaything more suit your pseudo-modernistic outlook?'
'No, Inez. I don't like the term plaything either. I have no intention of playing with you. No, what I foresee for us is much more grown up than that.' The sexual intent behind the statement was unmistakable.
Rather than being offended or shocked, Inez found herself growing breathless. Excited.
No!
'Yes,' he murmured as if he'd read her mind.
'Whatever term you slap on your intentions, I refuse to be a part of it. I'm going to find my brother-'
He slowly sank onto the plush seat, curved his hand along the back of the chair and levelled one ankle over his knee. 'And tell him that you've dashed his hopes of a possible high profile position in your father's administration because you couldn't take one for the team? I don't think you're in a position to refuse any demands I make, anjo.'
'Stop calling me that! And I won't be a pawn in whatever game you're playing with my father and brother. Pietro is well aware of that.'
'Really? Since when? Wasn't serving on your father's campaign the reason you dropped out of university? Clearly, you play a part in your father's political ambitions or you wouldn't have been trying to fleece poor Alfonso. Why stop now when you're so close to achieving your goals? And why claim innocence when it's something you've done before?'
The hurt that scythed through her was deep and jagged. She wasn't aware she'd moved until she stood over him, glaring down at the arrogant face that wore that oh, so self-assured smile.
'I've never wanted to be this … this person you think I am. I was merely trying to help my family. I misjudged the situation and-'
'You mean you fell in love with your mark.'
She swallowed. 'I don't know what you're getting at.' But deep down she suspected.
'I mean you were set a target and you fell in love with your target. Isn't that what happened with Blanco?'
Light-headedness assailed her as he confirmed her suspicion. 'You know about Constantine?'
'I know everything I need to know about your family, anjo. But by all means enlighten me as to why you've been so misjudged.'
His cynicism raked her nerves raw. 'I made a mistake, one that I freely admit to.'
'What mistake do you mean, querida? I want to hear it.'
'I misjudged a man I thought I could trust.'
'You mean you meant to use him but found out he intended to use you too?' he mocked. 'Some would call that poetic justice.'
Recalling Constantine's public humiliation of her, the names he'd called her in the press, her stomach turned over. 'You're despicable.' She raised her chin. 'And assuming you're even close to being right, won't I be a fool to repeat that mistake again?'
'No.'
'No?'
His eyes fixed on hers. Serious and intense. 'Because this time you know exactly what you're getting. There will be no delusions of love on either of our parts. No pretence. Just a task, executed with smooth efficiency.'
'But you intend to parade me about as your … lover? What will everyone think?'
He shrugged. 'I don't care what everyone thinks. And I don't much think that bothers you either.'
She shivered. 'Of course it bothers me. What makes you think it won't?'
'You're the ultimate young Rio socialite. You have a dedicated following and young impressionable girls can't wait to grow up and be you.' His mockery was unmistakable.
Heat crept up her cheeks. 'That's just the media spinning itself out of control.'
'Carefully fuelled by you to help your father's status. You're always seen with the right offspring of the right ministers and CEOs. You're the attraction to draw the young voters, are you not?'
She couldn't deny the allegation because it was true. Nor did she want to waste time straying away from the more serious subject of the demand he was making of her.