Chapter 16 #2
I loved when he smiled. It softened his face, drawing me further into this twisted obsession I had for him.
“I miss you every second we’re not together, and that scares me.”
“Little minnow.” He lowered his lips to mine and gently kissed me. “I’ve never allowed myself to get this close to anyone. Nothing scares me, but the thought of you not being with me shakes me to my core.”
“Tomorrow is my birthday.”
“I’m aware.”
I suppose he would be considering he was there when I entered this world. Twisted obsession…
“My parents are throwing me a party tomorrow night.”
The elevator doors spread apart and we entered the bustling lobby.
Atticus and Zeus waited by the modern waterfall in the center.
Zeus seemed unbothered by Sebastian’s tardiness, but Atticus paced the lobby, because he was probably agitated with Sebastian’s preoccupation with me on such an important morning.
Romero wasn’t someone people challenged.
“I want you to come,” I said. “To the party.”
“I’d like nothing more, but are you sure?” He tucked my hair behind my ear. “I can’t imagine my presence will go over well. I don’t want to ruin your night.”
“The only thing that could ruin it is if you weren’t with me. It’s my party, and I can invite whomever I want.” I stretched up on my toes and kissed his cheek. “It’s my birthday wish that you come as my guest.”
“I’ll be there.” He caught me by the arm and kept me close to him. “But you have to promise me something.”
“What?” I lost myself in his intense gaze.
“After the celebration, you come back to Greece with me.”
“I will.”
“I won’t accept any excuses.” He rested his hand on the side of my face. “I want you with me.”
“You have me.”
He drew my lips to his and claimed my mouth, taking his time to indulge in our connection.
The crowds around us and all of the noise that came with them faded into the background.
As far as I was concerned, there wasn’t anything more important than my escalating feelings for him.
He was all I wanted, and I would do anything to have him.
“Capri!” my mother yelled from across the lobby.
Hell!
“Sorry,” I whispered as Sebastian let go of me. “I didn’t know she was here.”
“Don’t apologize.” He clasped his hand in mine. “You’re not responsible for the actions of others.”
“Why are you here?” My mom stormed toward us. “If your father finds out…” She glared at Sebastian. “You have to leave her alone. You know this is wrong.”
“Mom!”
“Gia,” Sebastian said. “I didn’t get a chance to say hello to you the other night.”
“Why don’t you say goodbye to me and go back to Greece?” She glanced at mine and Sebastian’s joined hands. “We’re leaving.”
“Why would you follow me here?” I asked her.
“Because I don’t want you with him.” She pointed at Sebastian. “How could you do this? Why would you think this is acceptable?”
“Don’t do this.” I let go of Sebastian’s hand. “Let’s just go.”
I didn’t need her causing a scene and making me appear like a stupid kid in front of a man who saw me as an adult. He was the only person who ever really viewed me as someone capable of making my own decisions.
“Not until I tell him exactly what I think of him,” my mom said. “He’s a big boy. He can handle it, but if you can’t, wait for me outside.”
“Gia.” Sebastian looked around the lobby. “It’s not necessary to do this here. I understand that you don’t approve of my relationship with Capri.”
“You and Capri shouldn’t even have a relationship.”
“But we do.” He smiled at me. “She’s an adult, and she has made her choice. If I can respect that, shouldn’t you?”
“How can she make a choice when she has no idea who you are? She doesn’t know the things you’ve done.” My mom motioned toward me. “You’re here for vengeance. You’ve waited years to get back at Leo and you found the perfect way to do it. You slept with his daughter. You took her virginity.”
“God!” I shouted. “Could we not?” I had never regretted confiding in my mother as much as I did right now. How could I expect Sebastian to see me as anything more than a child if my parents kept showing up and interfering?
“Capri,” Sebastian said. “What we share is between us. I’ll never use it to get back at anyone.”
“You’re as charming as ever, aren't you?” My mother tossed her hair behind her shoulder, initiating her Italian mom is about to attack mode.
“She’s no match for you, and you know it.
If I ever meant anything to you, if my daughter means anything to you, you’ll leave her alone.
Go back to Greece and stay away from my family. ”
“I appreciate where you’re coming from.” Sebastian held up his hands. “But I’m not the one you have to protect Capri from. It would be in your best interest to align yourself with me.”
What did he mean by that?
“I would never do that.” My mother gripped the handle on her Prada bag. “You’re the only danger to my daughter.”
“We both know that isn’t true. Just ask your husband.” He kissed my cheek. “I’ll call you later.”
“Sebastian, I…”
“It’s okay.” He pressed his fingers to my lips. “I have to go.”
I nodded, feeling helpless in the matters of my own life.
“Gia.” He placed his hand in his pocket, looking charismatic and smooth, but the danger lurked just at the surface with him. “When it comes to Capri, we’re on the same side. Deep down you have to know that.”
Before my mother could get another word out, he strode across the lobby, joining Atticus and Zeus. He was done with the conversation and his demeanor proved it. I had never seen anyone shut my mother down so fast.
“What did he mean when he said he wasn’t the one I needed to be protected from?” I asked. “Who was he talking about?”
“He’s playing mind games, because that’s what he does.” She stared at him as he left the hotel. “You managed to reignite a war that was long forgotten.”
“It was never forgotten for him.”
“If you know that, then you know he’s using you.” She blew out a frustrated breath. “You can only push these men so far. You do not want to be caught in the middle of Hades and your father.”
“I’m already there,” I said. “I want this feud to be over.”
“Trust me, Capri. The consequences could destroy you. It could ruin all of us.”