Chapter 60
Elena
“You will have a full-time bodyguard.” Maximo levels his gaze on Julianna across the dinner table. “Whatever he tells you to do, you do it without hesitation. Your safety is my number one concern.”
She purses her lips. “Fine.”
“You can’t just lounge around here all day. I want you to have direction and discipline in your daily life. You will follow a schedule.”
“What kind of schedule?” She forks mashed potatoes into her mouth.
Maximo glances at me. I nod. We came up with it together. I don’t want Julianna to waste away her days the same way I did for years. There may be a threat looming out there, but hiding isn’t the answer. She’ll be heavily protected, but not cut off from the world.
The other day she found me writing in the living room and gave me a sketched portrait of myself. She’s talented. I’d never want to hide her light away.
Maximo reads her schedule off his phone. “Your mornings will be spent in the gym. Where you will learn how to fight and protect yourself.”
She grumbles.
“In the afternoon you’ll have art classes, followed by studio time.”
Julianna gasps. “Really?” When her brother nods, she squeals. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted. How did you know?” Her gaze slides to me. “This is your doing, isn’t it? Oh my god, thank you so much!”
Her excitement has me smiling. “You’re welcome. I can’t wait to see what you create.”
She beams back at me.
Maximo continues, “Most evenings you will be free to do as you choose. Once in a while you may be required to attend a function with us. We’ve decided it’s important for you to make friends with other young women.”
“Okay. I can get dressed up and hang out with you two. Just try not to embarrass me, Maximo, you sound like Papa a lot these days.”
I laugh at Maximo’s insulted expression.
“I do not sound like Papa.”
“Yeah you do. You’re even starting to look like him. Is that a grey hair?”
He glowers at her. She giggles.
Ah, family.
We finish our meal, conversation flowing from one topic to the next. It’s light and relaxed. I could get used to this.
As we clear away dishes, I glance at my husband.
Something has been eating away at Maximo.
I see it in the way he won’t hold eye contact for long.
Every time he looks at me, his shoulders stiffen.
When he touches me, his hands are too gentle, as if he’s afraid I’ll break.
I don’t want him treating me differently after everything that’s happened.
After we say good night to Julianna, I take his hand and lead him through his office, onto the private balcony. A warm summer night wraps around me like a cozy blanket. From up here, the whole city stretches out before us. It’s so big. And I’m not afraid of it any more.
I lace my fingers through his. “What’s wrong, Maximo? I can tell something’s bothering you.”
He breathes out a shuddering sigh, like the weight of the world rests on his shoulders. The sound goes straight through my heart.
“I’m so sorry, cara mia. You’re hurt because of my arrogance and stupidity. I thought we were untouchable. How wrong I was…”
“Max—”
“Because of me, you relived your worst nightmare. They took you, trapped you, and I wasn’t there to save you.”
“Yes you were. You saved both me and Julianna.” I try to comfort him.
He clenches his jaw and shakes his head. “I wasn’t there soon enough.”
“I disagree. You arrived right on time.”
He pins me with a questioning gaze. “How’s that?”
“This probably won’t make any sense to you, but I believe everything happens for a reason.
” I glance out at the city all around us.
“For example, if I hadn’t been kidnapped all those years ago, I would have gone through with my arranged marriage.
Which means I’d be Cian O’Rourke’s wife—and we would have been a terrible match.
Instead, he married Ravenna, and they are happy together. ”
“I don’t see—”
“Let me play it out for you. If I hadn’t been traumatized from that experience, I never would have come to live with Aunt Antonia. You wouldn’t have become my protector.” I glance at him and smile. “Our paths wouldn’t have crossed like they did, and that would have been a shame.”
He’s quiet as I continue, “Was being kidnapped again terrible? Yes, it was. There were moments when I thought I wouldn’t survive, but I did.
Furthermore, because of what happened, I was able to prove to myself that I’m not weak.
In a strange way, I got to have a re-do, to respond differently this time.
I was able to fight back and save myself.
If I hadn’t been set on freeing Julianna too, I would have succeeded in freeing myself, all on my own. ”
“You never should have had to do that all on your own,” he murmurs.
“I know. But I had to prove to myself that I could. That I could do it on my own. I learned my own strength because of what happened. For that, I’m grateful. I’m not afraid any more, Maximo. My demons are laid to rest.”
He closes the distance between us, cupping my cheeks in his massive palms. “I’ve never doubted your strength, bella.”
“I know. But I did.” I drink in his warmth, letting his presence sink in. He feels like home. Finally, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be in this world. “I love you.”
His breath catches. He searches my eyes as if looking for clues to an unspoken question. “Say it again.”
“In the moments when I thought I wasn’t going to make it out of there alive, my only wish was to see you again so I could tell you how I feel. I love you, Maximo.”
His mouth captures mine. A low, desperate groan rumbles in his chest. “I love you, too. Always have, always will. I will never let anyone touch you again.”
I reach up and claim his lips. He tastes like home. Like heaven.
Like mine.
Capturing his gaze with mine, I lower onto my knees and lick my lips. My fingers work at his belt. He watches me through lowered lashes as I release his hardening cock. I take his length in my hands and stroke him until precum moistens the tip.
I lean forward and lick the crown. He hisses, grabbing onto the railing to steady himself. His muscles tense with anticipation.
Without breaking eye contact, I open my mouth and swallow him one inch at a time. My tongue teases over his piercings. He groans as his cock hits the back of my throat. I pull back, almost freeing him from my mouth, only to suck him down again.
“Fuck,” he murmurs. “You don’t have to do this, cara mia.”
No, but I want to, I want all of him.
Humming against his length, which makes him shiver, I hollow my cheeks and pick up my pace. I cup his balls, my other hand working his shaft. He curses as I relax my throat and take him deeper. His fingers curl around my neck, as he pumps his hips.
I suck on his cock, harder and faster, pushing against his measured control. The moment he snaps is a thing of beauty. He fists my hair, bucking his hips and he slams into my mouth. My eyes water. A string of Italian profanity leaves his filthy mouth and satisfaction thrums through my veins.
He growls, his movements stilling as spurts of cum fill my mouth and slide down my throat. I swallow, drinking every drop.
Then he’s pulling me to my feet, his mouth devouring mine as he tastes himself. His fingers find my panties and push them aside. I’m soaked. So wet he easily pumps two fingers into my throbbing pussy. That satisfied rumble sounds in his chest. I moan against his lips.
As he lifts me off my feet, my legs wrap around his waist. My back hits the rough exterior wall. I cry out as he drives into me with his pierced cock. He fucks me the way I like it, hard, fast, and deep.
The metal drags against my G-spot and pressure builds low in my belly. I cling to his shoulders, holding on for dear life as he plows into me over and over.
Burying my face in his neck, I scream as I come. My entire body tenses and shudders in his arms. He holds me close, fucking me through my first orgasm and the second one that quickly follows.
“Maximo.”
With one last punishing thrust, he spills inside me, and stays there. His cock buried deep, both of us pant, trying to catch our breaths.
“I love you,” I murmur, resting my forehead on his chest.
He releases a contented sigh. “I love you too.”