16. Mia
SIXTEEN
My hips swaywith purpose as I walk past Dario”s office, the fabric of my two-piece bikini clinging to every curve. I feel his intense gaze, a tangible caress against my melanated skin.
We play this game of power and desire, but today, I am changing the rules. He will beg for my attention, not the other way around.
Let him try to resist this temptation.
The weight of his stare only adds fuel to my confidence as I strut by, exuding an air of seduction that cannot be ignored. The sun beams on me, and its golden rays dance across my skin.
As I bask in its embrace, I feel a sense of contentment wash over me. The sunscreen in my hand feels cool and refreshing against my heated skin, relieving the blazing heat. Slowly and deliberately, I spread it over every inch of my body, taking note of every curve and dip that might catch someone”s eye.
And indeed, he is watching me from the shadows—his presence felt rather than seen. But now, I am fully present and at peace with my surroundings, focused only on the sensation of warmth and the faint scent of coconut and shea swirling around me.
Satisfied with my coverage of protection, I ease into the pool using the steps, allowing my body to become acclimated to the coolness of the water. I dip under, lingering for a few seconds before coming up for air. I take a few laps in the infinity pool, relaxing my mind and allowing myself to enjoy this moment of serenity, and I end up back at the stairs.
Emergence from the cool embrace of the pool feels like a rebirth. I rise, droplets cascading down my body. I adjust my swimsuit, fully aware that every move I make is under scrutiny. No matter how hard I try to avoid him, I feel him in the distance, watching and tracking me wherever I am. What’s worse is I can sense the desire etched in every line of his brooding figure.
I claim one of the poolside loungers and spread a towel over it before putting on my sunglasses and lying down to enjoy the sun. The peace calls to me, and for a moment, I forget I’m in the world of Dario DeLuca. I don’t feel his intense gaze roaming over me, and I don’t have to think about the brokered deal or the situation that landed me here.
“Ms. Gordon, you have a visitor,” the staff member announces, bringing me from my trance.
I look toward the sliding doors leading to the pool area and see my bestie. Rafael”s methodical pat-down of Gabby, standard yet intimate, stirs something unexpected. Their exchange is underlined by a tension that”s hard to ignore. Trust is a currency here, silently exchanged between cautious glances and subtle gestures.
“Gabby,” I shout, walking over to greet her. Our embrace is like two friends finding each other after a long hiatus, even though it’s only been a few days. I guide us back to the lounger, and a staffer brings two glasses of wine.
“What are you doing here?” I’m curious why she’s present when I’ve been told I would have no contact with anyone outside these walls.
“Well, Dario called me and asked if I’d want to come and spend some time with you. Better yet, he said Rafael is outside. You have ten minutes to meet him. Is he always so demanding?” She takes a sip of her libation and leans back, relaxing.
“Yes. He doesn’t negotiate, nor does he take no for an answer. You should see how the staff moves around here.”
“‘Staff’? Oh, you’re settling into your new life as a soon-to-be DeLuca. Do they bring you breakfast in bed?” Gabby laughs.
“I’m not settling in. I’m not sure what I’m doing, to be honest. He’s…” My words trail off. Thoughts of our hate-fuck scene flashing in my mind.
Gabby interjects, bringing me back to the moment. “He’s what, Mia?” She gasps. “Is he, you know. In the Mafia?” she whispers.
Memories of the night at the gas station come flooding back as they do daily, but I thought I was past the experience. I find a way to tell her without oversharing.
”My family was threatened,” I confide, the weight of secrets pressing against my chest. ”He”s protecting me…but we don’t know from whom. My dad struck a deal, sealing my fate with Dario to ensure my safety.” The simplicity of the arrangement does nothing to ease the complexity of my emotions. “Besides,” I pause. It’s a hesitation that speaks volumes more than a simple nod could. ”No evidence points that way.”
“Ensuring your safety by offering the man rumored to be a major player in Chicago’s underground syndicate your hand in marriage? That doesn’t sound like my godfather. I asked my dad if he knew anything, and he said nothing. Just don’t believe everything you hear.”
“This arrangement is guaranteeing I’ll be safe and not a target for anyone out to hurt my father due to political reasons. Just never thought a mayor of any city was so highly regarded.”
“Me either. But I guess in high-profile cities…” Gabby stops mid-speech when we notice people with power tools, boxes, and lumber enter the house. They parade through the house, curiosity morphing into suspicion.
“What are they doing?” Gabby asks.
“Whatever Dario tells them.” The words are becoming second nature to my tongue with no effort to stop them.
In the periphery, Dario commands attention. He”s deep in conversation with men who wear loyalty like a second skin. His head turns, eyes locking onto mine from across the distance, and something unspoken yet electric charges the space between us. His searing glance holds a brand of lustful intent that scorches through every defense I have erected.
Gabby catches the silent exchange, her eyebrows lifting. There”s no hiding from that piercing look, no denying the raw energy dancing like live wires wherever our paths cross.
“Uh, what the fuck is this?” She waves her finger between Dario and me for emphasis.
“Nothing,” I lament.
“Uh, bull shit. That doesn’t look like nothing. Try again.”
I remain quiet. The secrets want to pour out, but I stay silent.
“Oh my god. You didn’t.” Gabby exclaims. Her giddiness is impossible to contain.
”I”m supposed to hate him, right?” The words taste like betrayal, confusion lacing every syllable.
“Suppose to. But, I mean, if he looks like that, I get it.” She glances at Rafael, and they share a look I will not even begin to try to unravel.
The sun dips lower, casting long shadows that stretch across the manicured lawn. A breeze flutters the pages of a discarded magazine by the poolside, the sound a quiet reminder of the world beyond these walls.
“I guess it’s time for you to leave. That long drive must be grueling.”
“Yeah, I”ll see you at the influencer event in just a few days.”
“I can hardly contain my excitement.” Our hug is tense, emotions simmering just below the surface.
She struts away, and Rafael holds open the door for her, his chivalrous gestures painting a smug grin on her face.
I take a deep breath and push it out with force before returning to my awaiting sanctuary, no longer calling it my prison cell.
As I approach my room, the scent of freshly cut wood invades my nostrils. Sawdust clings to the polished marble floors like tiny breadcrumbs, leading me to discovery.
As I open the door, the heavy aroma of varnished wood and aged leather envelopes me. My eyes are drawn to the towering bookshelf, its rows of spines glistening in the dim light, each one a gateway to hidden knowledge and secrets.
But my moment of awe is shattered as Dario appears in the doorway, his arms crossed in a cocky pose. A smirk dances on his lips, hinting at some inside joke I am not privy to.
”What the fuck is this?” I demand, my voice laced with suspicion.
”Something I thought you”d appreciate,” he replies casually as if he expects a warmer response.
”Is this your idea of making up for spying on me and being an asshole?” I seethe, my hands clenched into fists.
Dario”s expression turns serious as he steps closer, invading my personal space.
”I was trying to do something decent,” he says, his voice low and intense.
But even as anger surges through me, I can”t help but feel a twinge of curiosity about what he has brought me.