17. Amara
AMARA
THE LESSER EVIL
I use my peripheral vision to observe my surroundings, and sure enough, Elio’s SUV is parked across the street.
I slow my steps, pretending not to see it, but I know better. He’s not here for a casual visit. My father must have sent him, which means I’m running out of time.
“Let me take you home,” he shouts, knowing I’m on to him.
Luckily, Pietro’s Hummer pulls up alongside me.
“I’ll take you home,” Pietro says in a smooth voice, but there’s an edge to it, like he knows something’s off. He’s leaning against the open window and hops out. He stands with one hand on the door handle, observing me.
“I can get home just fine,” I reply before thinking.
He doesn’t move. He tilts his head, and his gaze flicks to the parked SUV. “You sure about that?”
Why can’t I perfect my poker face? My jaw clenches, knowing that he knows I’m in some trouble. He always fucking knows when something is amiss.
I exhale, glancing toward the street as I weigh my options.
I could try to disappear into the night and pretend Elio isn’t watching, but that would only delay the inevitable.
I might as well make my own choices while I still can.
Besides, if I’m with Pietro, it makes it difficult for Elio to pick me up.
I shrug. “Fine. Take me home.”
I briefly gaze at my keeper, and I can’t miss the satisfied smirk that tugs at his lips as he puts his hand out to help me in .“I knew you’d come around.”
I roll my eyes, and he holds my hand as I climb into his behemoth vehicle.
My butt slides into the luxurious leather seat.
The engine’s hum rumbles beneath me as his driver pulls onto the street, navigating the city with practiced ease.
The silence stretches between us, charged like an electric fence.
“Home, Joseph,” he says to the man in the driver’s seat. Then he turns to me. “You’re tense,” he comments, glancing at me as the driver switches lanes.
“Gee, I wonder why.”
He chuckles. “Could be because you work for a control freak.”
“That too.” I give him a look. “You do realize you don’t play fair, right?”
He grins, wearing his intent gaze, and meets my eyes. “Never said I did.”
I shake my head before turning to stare out the window. He cracks me up with his blunt honesty. But it works for him. Or perhaps it’s his award-winning smile and unforgettable handsome face.
The streets blur by, and I know we should be heading toward my apartment, but we aren’t. He’s going uptown.
I turn to him. “Where are we going?”
He doesn’t answer. Instead, he just taps his fingers on his leg.
“Pietro.”
“My place.”
I let out a breath. “Of course. ”
“You’re not protesting.”
I glance at him, raising a brow. “Would it make a difference?”
His smirk deepens. “Not really.”
When he arrives at the hotel, he steps out of the vehicle, and the valet greets him.
I scooted across the seat, not that I was that far from him. I hesitate for half a second before taking his outstretched hand.
Tonight, when we step into his suite, I can see more of the penthouse. It reflects him and his rich and expensive taste. And I hate how easily I could fall in love with all of it.
I walk toward the glass windows, pressing my fingers to the cool surface, staring at the city below. It’s stunning. Endless lights stretching into the night, like possibilities I can’t reach.
“You like the view?”
His voice is closer than I expected, sending a shiver down my spine.
“It’s… perfect.”
He moves beside me, and his reflection in the glass is next to mine. “You could come here more often,” he says.
I turn to him, forcing a smirk. “As if I haven’t.” But the penthouse? The room service? The incredible view? Sign me up!
He steps closer, and his gaze drops to my lips. “You could have all of it.”
My heart stutters, and for a second, everything else fades—just me, him, and the moment hanging between us.
I let myself imagine it—a life where I don’t have to worry about being snatched off the street or being married off to a monster.
A life where I could breathe. A life where Pietro is something more than a battle I keep losing.
But that’s not my reality. And I know it’s too good to be true.
Instead, I tilt my head, my voice filled with defiance, “You’re getting ahead of yourself.”
He grins, fingers brushing my wrist slowly and deliberately. “You say that now.”
I swallow my saliva hard. Then, I stare at him, as desire courses hot in my veins. “Pietro… ”
He leans in just enough that I can feel his breath against my skin. “You can run tomorrow.”
It’s as if he knows me. The real me. “I’ll think about it.” I know better than to turn down the only man who understands me. He’s a man who can protect me from my father, perhaps. I’m still learning how the criminal organization works.
“Fine. Are you hungry? Pedro makes a mean Angus burger and crips fries.”
“You know me so well,” I mutter while overlooking the Park. He’s thoughtful and kind. He has a sixth sense about him and reads me like a book.
I don’t know how long I’ll get to enjoy this slice of decadence, but I’m going to ride this train as long as I can and hope something happens to free me from my past.
Pietro orders food before walking to a record player and placing a vinyl record on it. I don’t understand it, but it’s pleasant and soothing. It’s Italian, I know that much.
“You like music,” I say. It’s more a statement than a question.
“Yes, and opera. You?”
“I’m up to trying anything. You must have been born in Italy.”
“Yes,” he says, coming to stand behind me. “I just moved here from Sicily. I have four brothers and a sister. You?”
“One of three, the only girl.”
“Daddy’s little girl?” he teases, but I sense he’s fishing for information. He’d be stupid not to. We just met, and he’s practically invited me to live with him.
“Anything but that.”
“Care to share?” He runs his hand over my arm. Goosebumps pepper my skin.
“I can’t.”
“The tattoo on your back, the one with circles. What does it mean?”
“It’s the Borrelli insignia. See? It’s also in this ring,” he says as he holds out his right hand, which has a gold ring with a black top, probably Onyx. His family’s insignia is embossed in gold .
“So, what does ‘Omerta’ mean? You have it tattooed with a gun on your back.”
“It means silence, manliness. It was born in response to changes in the court system and the police force in Southern Italy in the 1860s. Organized crime clans faced new rivals.”
“The famiglia?”
“Yes. Does that bother you?”
“Not really. As long as you don’t hurt me.”
He turns me to face him, and his hand caresses my face like a breakable doll.
I close my eyes and lean into him. “You’ll never have to worry about that.
In our family, men worship women. We have a code we follow where women and children are cherished and honored.
Anyone who harms them has to answer to us. You’re mine. You have my protection.”
My body shakes at his words. He’ll protect me.
I’m moved by his promise and his passion when he says this. I open my eyes, and his deep baby blues are unrelenting as he stares into mine. He’s been protecting me.
Did he stage the pick-up tonight? How did he know Elio was following me and that he was waiting for me ?
Pietro’s intense, and I gravitate to him as surely as the sun revolves around the earth.
He’s moved me in a way no one else ever has, and I want to fuck him, now, hard. I’m hungry for him .
“You’re dripping wet for me, aren’t you?”
I don’t need to answer as his lips crush on mine, and my arms fly around his neck.
We’re ripping each other’s clothes off and spiraling around each other like we’re dancing a tango.
He leads me to the bedroom, and I stumble as I take off a shoe, but his muscular arm snaps out like lightning and catches me.
He pulls me into his solid chest. I clutch his shoulders as he half lifts and drags me to the bedroom.
It’s so raw and rough, I’m elated when he tosses me on the bed.
“I’m going to wreck you. You’ll never be satisfied without my cock in you,” he says as he stands naked before me—like Adonis. His voice is gruff and commanding. He’s a man to be reckoned with. His cocky, confident attitude serves him well. He is the man to take charge in a crisis.
My heart stutters, and for a second, everything else fades—just me, him, and the moment hanging between us.
And I love every minute of it. I love everything, Pietro.
For now, I’m safe. And if the future is filled with darkness, I’d be by his side because I know he’d protect me no matter what it costs.
But I had no idea how far my father would go to get what he wanted.