Chapter 8 Rafael #2
I hit the elevator button, wishing it would move faster. "Thanks for the heads up." The doors opened, and I took a step back. My finger jammed into the bottom floor button.
My head was a mess. I doubted Benito would remove his man, and taking him out was a no for me. I could fight, but I wasn't exactly trained to kill. However, Cesare was.
But how would I convince Cesare to kill him?
There were cameras in that hallway, and I clearly made a show of not touching him. How jealous could Cesare get? Enough to kill for me?
The thought sent a thrill down my spine that left tendrils of need twisting around me.
I want him so badly.
The brisk air hit me face-first, and I pulled my jacket a little closer.
I hailed a taxi and let him know where I wanted to go.
The city went by as I stared at the limited messages between me and Cesare.
He hadn't responded to my picture, but his read receipts were on so I knew he at least looked at it.
This thing with Cesare was like playing chess with a blindfold on. I blew out a breath and did what I thought best.
Rafael: Going shopping, if you want me back home let me know.
Rafael: Are you sure you don't share? The man guarding your place made it sound like you enjoy cuckholding.
I left it at that and turned off my phone. If Cesare wanted me to entertain myself then I would. He’d probably rough the guy up a little if anything. Maybe make him disappear for a few days and give me time to figure out how to get rid of him entirely.
Cesare came to mind like he always did. It didn’t matter where I was or what I was doing, he was always on my mind. I groaned as need coursed through me. The urge to make the taxi take me to Cesare was all too real. It sucked having to be so composed and good.
I wanted him to be violently obsessed with me.
There was nothing like shopping to cure lingering sadness.
Not to mention, every single time I had to pull out Cesare's card, it was like he was showering me with gifts.
I was at my eighth store with more bags than I could carry.
It started off as “I want to look good for my man” to “holy fuck, this card is endless.”
I had bags from Dior, Channel, Armani, Falconeri, Marc Jacobs, Zara, and Tory Burch. I bet I could buy a car on the card. How mad would Cesare be if I did? I didn’t even have my license, but I would look good in a soft pink luxury car.
Would he be fuck-my-throat-raw mad or kick-me-out pissed? It was such a fine line I was having a hard time teetering on it.
Two more clerks came over to me, holding up two outfits each.
"I don't care too much for the powder blue.
It's not my color." I waved the guy off, stood up, and admired the pieces up close.
It was a striking green top with slacks that I knew would be good on me.
I'd already agreed to take three pairs. Might as well get enough for the week just in case I felt like dressing more posh.
"I'll take that one but not the other one. "
I sipped the champagne offered to me the moment I flashed my card.
There was no door closed to me, and it was a thrilling feeling.
I didn't exactly have a whole lot growing up, not that I could really complain, but having money was the best experience.
The idiots who claimed money didn't buy them happiness never felt the depravity one was willing to go to in order to get a few dollars.
Wonder if he's thinking about me?
Dark brown hair that was nearly black, peppered with gray hairs, a low brow, rich, dark brown eyes framed by thick lashes, and a presence that commanded all the attention in every space.
Even if he wasn’t missing me, I was desperate to see him. I was an addict, and currently, I was being denied my drug.
I turned my phone back on. Cesare still hadn't called or texted. I knew he got my last few messages. It was driving me insane.
I pulled my phone out of my purse. Disappointment soured the champagne washing over my tongue. There was a cryptic text message from one of the girls that worked at the brothel. Benito was like his dad in so many ways. He had the patience of a five year old.
Kelly: Can you stop by later? I need to give you back your stuff. And I want to hang out.
I knew for certain there was nothing left behind, and if I did, it could go straight to the trash.
Rafael: Not today. I'm busy, but I can swing by sometime this week when I get some free time.
I still had nothing to report. If I didn't start showing some results I was going to get ripped away from my one and only chance.
Kelly: KK
I bought myself some time. I sat back down on the bubble-like couch they had in the back room for VIP.
"This as well, sir?" the clerk asked.
I checked out her name tag. She'd been the main girl helping me, giving me such a lovely experience. "Thank you, Janice."
Her shoulders seemed to ease as she stepped closer to me. "Of course, it's been my pleasure. It's not often we get such enthusiastic customers."
I laughed politely. "Yes, I like that one, and why don't you add a pink and green set to that as well."
Her grin was wide, nearly taking up her whole face. Before she could turn and hurry off, I grabbed her wrist.
"How much do I need to spend for someone to call the owner of the card?"
Janice glanced over at it like it was a shiny beacon.
"My manager doesn't get involved unless it's over twenty grand, and without an ID, we will have to contact the cardholder.
Once they authorize you, your information will have to be uploaded to the card, and usually after that, the purchase will be pushed through. "
Oh. I licked my lips and sat up with a plan in mind. "Good. I think I want to take a look at the exclusive line again."
Janice was practicality drooling. "I'll go get them back out." She stopped short of leaving the room. "Would you like more champagne or water?"
I shook my head, more than ready to keep going. My second wind was in full effect.
"Would you also like to see our exclusive jewelry pieces? We have a few that haven't been made public yet. I'm certain I can get them for you."
I could practically hear the cha-ching going off in her head. "That would be lovely. I want all the pieces, men, women, and neutral."
She practically skipped out of the room.
Two hours went by in a blur of clothes, shoes, and bags. I made sure I had multiple of their outfits in various colors. A few lingerie sets, shoes, jewelry, and whatever else caught my eye. I handed over the card to Janice who looked more than happy to take it.
"Oh, I forgot something. The watch I saw when I first arrived."
She nodded. "Yes, the hublot, all black diamond and leather one."
It would look so good on Cesare's wrist. "I want that to be separate from this order.
" I opened my purse and handed over my own card.
I wasn't exactly as rich as Cesare, but with Benito's advancement and the money Cesare was spending on me, I had enough.
“Use this one. And I want it engraved.” She nodded, more than happy to take more of my money.
I made quick work of jotting down what I wanted it to say.
Time seemed to tick by as I waited for Janice to come back. I finished off the rest of my drink and was ready to get up and explore some more when three men dressed in all black came in.
Goosebumps broke down my back. The air in the room shifted, and I instantly looked past them to the man headed my way.
Fuck, he is sexy.
My cock strained against the thin fabric of my thong. Cesare walked at a leisurely pace, his presence commanding the space with ease.
He actually showed up?
From all the bragging she used to do, I assumed spending money would be the last thing to actually grab his attention. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep my smile in check.
Maybe I'm special.
He stepped into the room. It was like I was dangerously close to touching a live wire. My skin tingled, and my instincts screamed for me to run.
I promptly ignored all the warning signs and moved toward him, closing the distance before he could. "Mr. Vitale, did you miss me?"
Cesare's hand moved faster than I anticipated. He grabbed a fistfull of my hair and yanked down so hard I dropped down to my knees instantly. "Stand outside," Cesare said.
His guards followed instruction without further prompt. I was left breathless on the floor. His painful touch was still driving me senseless. I licked my lips as I fought my body not to squirm.
I want him to fuck me already.
"You have some explaining to do."
My head was a mess as blood rushed to my cock. All I could think about was Cesare's hands on me. If he expected me to form coherent thoughts, he was going to be disappointed.
"Are you listening?" Cesare jerked his hand up, littering pain over my scalp.
A heady moan slipped free as I moved with his hand. I opened my eyes to meet his. Oh shit, he's pissed like I-might-be-fucked-to-death or killed.
Heat flashed over Cesare's eyes but just as fast as it came it was gone in the next second. He glanced down at my skirt, and his gaze lingered, sending a thrill of pleasure through me.
"We're going home."
I nodded, wincing at the tenderness of my scalp.
Cesare let my hair go, and I got up and wrapped my body around his arm.
"Whatever you're angry with me about, I'm sure I can make it up to you."
“I doubt it.”
When Cesare didn't grunt in response, I reached in my purse and pressed the clicker.
"Oh, Mr. Vitale, all the bags have been loaded into your cars as you've requested. Along with all the bags he came in with," Janice said. Her eyes were solely focused on him now, and it made me want to scoop out both of them with a rusted spork.
Cesare pulled out a few hundreds and went to hand it to her. I removed the money from his hand and passed it over to her. Cesare's brow was cocked, but all I offered back was a smile.
The idea of him touching anyone else literally made bile burn the back of my throat. He was mine.