Chapter 12
I shut the drunk bastard out, as I closed the door behind me. He didn’t deserve the time I just gave him, but boy, did he deserve that slap. I pushed the chair from the corner to in front of the door. Well and truly keeping him out since he seemed to like pissing me off constantly.
One minute that man seemed to show something other than being a total bastard, but then he went and ruined it all by opening his big mouth.
There was a knock on the door, softer than I expected. “Ana, what have you got in front of the door?” he asked from the other side.
“None of your business! Now leave me alone.” I climbed in bed and pulled the covers and pillow over my head, shutting out the drunk man who continued to knock on the door.
I could only hear muffled voices before retreating footsteps. Thank God he was gone, I wasn’t in the mood to deal with anymore drunken behaviour and attitude tonight.
The phone Lorenzo had given me as a replacement for smashing my old one vibrated on the side.
Poking my hand out from the covers, I grabbed it and saw Chad’s name gracing the screen. I opened the message he sent and read it.
Sorry about tonight. Are you okay? I worry about your safety with him.
I think you should worry about your own safety rather than mine. I’ll be fine. Remember, I’m tougher than you.
How could I forget? You’ve beat my ass to the mat countless times.
Exactly, so you don’t need to worry about me. He’s a real pussycat.
I highly doubt that, but fine. You can call me anytime, though. You know that.
Thanks. Night.
Night.
Chad didn’t need to worry about my safety with Lorenzo. Sure, he was a brute, an asshole, a real class A cunt—the list was endless—but I knew he’d never hurt me physically. Not in the way he threatened Chad with, anyway.
And even if he wanted to, I’d never let that happen.
The following morning, the house was incredibly quiet. There was no sound of Lorenzo or his men. The silence was golden.
The sun shone brightly as I headed outside to the lake, the early morning grass cool beneath my bare feet. It was so serene out here. It was easy to forget the hellhole Lorenzo called his house was behind me, especially when this garden was a haven I definitely needed.
The warmth of the sun kissed my face as I let my head fall back, relishing in the feeling.
“Anastacia?” A female voice came from behind me.
I turned, coming face-to-face with Lorenzo’s mother, a beautiful woman who was a similar age to my mother. Her hair was styled into a sleek chignon, and the minimal makeup she wore accentuated her features.
“Mrs. Ricci, hi.” I smiled as she closed the rest of the gap between us.
“Oh, stop that, you can call me Carmella.” She said with a gentle smile she sat down on the stool. “I’m guessing my son is either nursing a hangover or he had business to attend to.”
“Well, I hope it’s the first option.” I sighed. “Oh, God, sorry, that’s your son I’m wishing a hangover on.”
“We all know he can be a complete prick at times. I can bet that last night was no different,” she tutted. Her words made me feel as though she actually understood where I was coming from. “He was fine at the ball, but Red informed me that he didn’t stop there. He continued to drink at the club.”
“I don’t know where he went or how much he drank, Carmella. All I know is that every single time he opens his mouth, he continues to put his foot in it. It’s like he doesn’t even try. He just wants to push my buttons. I don’t know what his deal is, but it won’t end well for one of us.”
“I know. You’ll need the patience of a saint to deal with my son. That’s a given, and I admire you for not actually killing him yet. Although, I heard you tried.” She laughed.
“I didn’t try to kill him. I just let him know I wasn’t the kind of wife he thought he was getting. He wants me to obey his every word and be a perfect housewife, but that’s not me.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to shake him and his words out of my head.
“His father had the same attitude towards me. I guess that’s why Lorenzo thinks you should be that way.
I don’t think he ever imagined he’d meet his match with his wife.
” She chuckled, taking my hand in hers. “His father wasn’t the man he let everyone believe he was.
Maybe in the beginning, but near the end, he was a horrible man.
That rubbed off on Lorenzo. His father drummed his beliefs into him so damn hard, and with each day, my caring, loving boy became just like his father. It broke my heart.”
“Carmella, I?—”
“I’m not asking you to love him and obey him. I know that’s a tall order, but don’t write him off just yet. He might surprise you,”she said, a plea hidden beneath her words.
“I don’t see how he’d ever surprise me, but I promise not to stab him anymore.” We laughed in unison as I caught the unapproving stare of Lorenzo.
He stood at the door, arms folded in annoyance, and showed no signs of a hangover. Or if he did, he hid them well. Carmella clocked him next as she sighed at the attitude he was already carrying.
He crossed the garden in long, fast strides. “Mama, what are you doing here?” Oh, of course, the attitude was aimed solely at me. How wonderful.
“I came to see you but ran into your beautiful wife instead.” She nudged her shoulder softly into mine with a smile before accepting Lorenzo’s kisses on her cheeks.
“I can see that.” He sent a side eyed glance my way.
“Lorenzo, that’s enough. I found Anastacia, not the other way around.”
“Carmella, it’s fine. I’ll see you again soon.” As I was about to walk away, she stopped me before throwing her arms around me in a warm embrace. Something I hadn’t even gotten from my own mother since the wedding.
“Mama, let her go. She seems to love storming off and leaving,” he snapped, his gaze burning into me.
“I wonder why that is, Lorenzo.” I scoffed. “Last night, you were a complete jerk. Exactly as you are now, and I don’t need nor do I want to stand here and listen to it.” He grabbed my arm as I walked past him.
I pulled the knife I had hidden from the pocket in my dress and pressed it against his neck with a smile so fucking big it could have been seen from space.
“I promised your mother I wouldn’t stab you, but I didn’t promise not to slit your throat,” I threatened. “Take your fucking hand off of me before I open your neck so wide it’ll make a torn pocket look like a pinhole.”
“Just remember, Ana, you went from one cage to another. It’s not your father holding the key this time, it’s me.” He replied as I softly pressed the blade into his skin, drawing blood.
“Lorenzo Ricci, that’s enough.” Carmella scolded him, but he didn’t seem to care. I knew he never would.
I hated him with every fibre of my being.
“Carmella, it’s fine. He’s nothing but a thug with a bad temper.” I muttered, lowering my blade, admiring the blood trickling down his neck. “It was lovely to see you.” I tucked my blade away and shoved past Lorenzo, making my way towards the house.
I heard their raised voices as I slipped inside, coming face-to-face with Emmet in the kitchen.
“Alright, A.” He smiled. “Nice lil’ number you pulled out there.”
“I doubt it made any kind of impact on him.” I sighed, grabbing some fruit from the fridge. “Do you want a smoothie?”
“You makin’ it?” He asked, a little taken aback.
“Don’t look so surprised. I make a really good smoothie.”
“Can I have one?” Red piped up from the doorway.
“Of course, I’ll make enough for Gino, too.”
“I wouldn’t bother. He got lucky last night. He ain’t here.” Emmet wriggled his brows as the three of us burst out laughing for no real reason.
Just as we were enjoying the moment, Lorenzo entered the kitchen with Carmella at his side.
“What's going on in here?” Lorenzo questioned the second he stepped inside.
“Carmella, would you like a smoothie?” I asked, ignoring Lorenzo.
“Anastacia, did you hear me?!” He demanded.
“So, Red, what kind of smoothie do you want?” I blanked him yet again
“Everyone, out,” Lorenzo ordered.
“Boss—” Emmet started but never got to finish whatever it was he wanted to say.
“I said out! Right now!” He turned to his mother. “You too, Mama. I need to talk to my wife.”
“Lorenzo, stop this,” she pleaded.
“Mama, please.” It was the first time I ever heard him say please. “I’ll speak to the two of you later.” He directed his comment to Red and Emmet who nodded once before leaving.
Carmella looked at her son with disappointment and irritation before she exited the kitchen. Within a few seconds, the front door closed behind her.
“What are you playing at? You disrespect me in front of my mother, my men…” He growled, his voice slicing through the air as he confronted me with a fury that vibrated off the walls.
“Be careful. You’ll pop a vein if you carry on,” I taunted. I knew he hated my sarcasm, so I gave it by the bucketload.
He gripped my face, bringing it closer to him, and all I did was smile, something that only angered him more. His fingers dug into my skin, firm but not painful, as he pressed me into the counter.
“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he muttered, his breath hot against my lips. But I didn’t flinch. I wouldn’t.
I tilted my head back, taunting him as if daring him to make good on his unspoken threat. My smirk never wavered despite his anger boiling over.
“You’re driving me insane,” he snarled before his lips crashed against mine in a kiss that was anything but tender. It was rough, punishing, and fuelled by hate.
His mouth moved fiercely over mine, demanding and unrelenting, as if he wanted to punish me with the kiss alone.
I resisted as I pushed at his chest, digging my nails into the skin beneath his black shirt.
But Lorenzo wasn’t one to yield. He pressed his body against mine, allowing no room between us as his grip descended to my neck.
His free hand dug into my hip possessively as he deepened the kiss, his tongue invading my mouth with a ferocity that mirrored his anger. I fought against him, my teeth grazing his lip as I tried to pull away. His strength was overwhelming, and his movements became sharp and urgent.
He abruptly broke the kiss, his forehead resting on mine as we struggled to catch our breath. His chest heaved as he glared down at me. “You think you can get away with whatever you like, don’t you?”
“You don’t scare me, Lorenzo.” I grinned, challenging him.
I knew I was playing with fire. The anger radiated off him in waves, but the thrill was too irresistible to ignore.
Without warning, he pressed my body against the pantry door, the force almost knocking the breath out of me. He pinned my wrists above my head and loomed over me. “Are you sure?” he growled against my neck. “Do you want to play, wife? Is that why you defied me?”
“Do your worst, Ricci,” I breathed as he trailed rough and needy kisses down my neck. His teeth occasionally grazed my skin, leaving marks to serve as a reminder of the moment we shared. I was no submissive, but there was something about Lorenzo that made me want to give him some control.
His hand slid up my thigh, his touch rough and desperate as he pushed my dress up around my waist. The anticipation built as he slid my lace panties to the side. “When will you learn to obey your husband and show him some respect?” he murmured against my lips.
I opened my mouth to respond, but he silenced me with another kiss, this one slower but just as intense.
His tongue traced the seam on my lips, demanding entrance as his fingers teased my pussy.
“Already so fucking wet,” he growled as I gasped into his mouth, my body betraying my defiance as I arched into his touch.
“You can’t hide it from me, Anastacia.” His voice was thick with satisfaction.
He slid his fingers inside me as I bit my lip to stifle a moan, my body trembling as he began to move, his touch rough, which was exactly what I needed and wanted. He worked my pussy with a rhythm that was both punishing and intoxicating.
“Say it,” he demanded. “Say you’ll obey me from now on.”
“No,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, despite my walls clenching around his fingers.
“Say it, Ana.”
“Never.” I moaned as he fucked me with his fingers, his thumb circling my clit.
“We’ll see.” He whispered.
His fingers sped up, pushing me closer to the edge. I dug my fingers into his shoulders, slowly letting him claim the orgasm that was surging through me.
“Come.”
One word was all it took as my body shook with the force of my orgasm, my cries of pleasure echoing off the walls. “L-Lorenzo… Fuck!”
“ Ecco fatto, dammi tutto. ” I had no idea what he said but I let go, giving him everything my body had to offer. He took it willingly. “For someone who hates me, you seem to love it when I make you come.”
“Does it make you feel good, Lorenzo?” I managed, my breaths ragged and shallow.
He removed his fingers from me, bringing them to his lips. He swirled his tongue around them, sucking off my come. “So fucking good.”
“You’re such a bastard.” I scoffed as his mouth twisted up into half a smile.
“You weren’t saying that a minute ago.” He winked as I shoved him away from me.
“Listen, I may have had a few moments of weakness when it comes to you, but that stops now. This will never happen again.” I rearranged my dress, squaring up to his much larger frame. “You are a mistake in every sense, Lorenzo.”
“Who are you trying to convince? Me or yourself?”
I shoved past him, not giving him another moment of my time. He didn’t deserve that, nor did he deserve me.
After slipping into a form fitting black dress, I made my way towards the garage where my car was parked.
“Where you goin’?” Emmet asked, catching me off guard.
“Out. I have somewhere I need to be.” I smiled, hoping he wouldn’t run to Lorenzo.
“A, you know I can’t let you leave. We have orders.”
“Emmet, with all due respect, you can tell my husband I said he can stick those orders up his ass. I have somewhere I need to be. It’s an annual thing.” I exited the house. Emmet was clearly torn, unsure over stopping me or finding Lorenzo.
“A,” he sighed.
“See you later, Emmet.” I smiled, heading out to the garage before he had a chance to say another word.
It felt good to be back behind the wheel again, I hadn’t driven since moving in here and I missed it. It allowed me to feel free.
Speeding off down the driveway, I noticed Lorenzo driving the opposite way, our eyes meeting as we passed one another.
The gates were already open to let him in which gave me a quick getaway. I had a feeling he’d follow me, and I was right. The second I glanced in the mirror, I clocked him, driving like a maniac behind me.
Of course he’d turned around, how else would he survive the day if he didn’t piss me off?
This man had no clue about this evening, but I’d enjoy watching it all unfold.