Chapter 5
Massimo
What the fuck is she thinking? That I’m the fucking enemy? How dare she run from me?
But you ARE the enemy.
I don’t listen to the internal truth that shouts to be heard. I’m the predator. She’s the prey. We each have a role to play, and I’ll be damned before I let her control this situation.
She doesn’t understand, my mind argues. She’s scared.
“I don’t care,” I mumble with a growl, ignoring the light chuckle beside me.
Big John is driving the truck, and I’m jostling around in the cabin like a fucking ping pong ball on a table. My head almost hits the roof as we hit a bump, and I glare at the Texan. He doesn’t respond, and I turn back to the windshield, watching Hadley’s desperate race for freedom.
She thinks she can outrun me. Silly girl. I never give up. I’m known for my relentless ability to hunt down anyone who stands in my way. I’ve built an empire through brutality, and I don’t intend for one tenacious, beautiful, headstrong woman to ruin everything.
You can keep her. Make sure she’s safe.
The thought startles me, and I almost cringe. I don’t do weakness.
Charity.
Love.
I made that mistake once, and I swore to never allow anyone into my heart again. My enemies are never far. They linger in the shadows, ready to swoop in and steal the empire I built. The family was falling apart before I took the throne. It would have collapsed without my interference. I am the reason everything has flourished. It’s my life’s work.
I don’t allow anyone into my intimate circle. Emilio is the closest. Big John, maybe. But I keep those connections small because I won’t lose my son the way I lost his mother. And I sure as fuck won’t allow myself the luxury of feelings, especially with Hadley.
You care about her. She already softens you.
I tell myself it’s a lie. I don’t care. Sure, I got my dick wet. She’s a great fuck. I’ll have her again, writhing beneath me, taking my dick, and allowing me to do whatever the fuck I want with her. She’ll take me in every hole before I finish with her, and I grin as I think of how she’ll stretch to receive me. My cock swells, and I fight back a groan, remembering the feel of her, the soft warmth, the tight—fuck, I can’t do this. I won’t obsess over her.
But that’s another lie.
I already do. I’m a stalker. A bad man. Hell, I’m the worst of the worst. Far more dangerous than the man she killed at the diner. He was only a contract killer. Me? I’ve made it a job and a way of life. I kill because it thrills me; I excel at it, and the only way to stay at the top is to secure the throne with blood.
I’d kill for her.
The realization sinks into the pit of my stomach like a heavy stone. I can’t lie and say I won’t. Hadley is important to my future; her bloodline has connections that can breach the secrets of the past. Her existence exposes us all. I know what I have in my hands. I know what her life means.
With her, I’m the harbinger of death or the angel of mercy. I can grant her life or snuff it out. I’m the grim reaper, holding her hostage, and I get to decide if and when she lives. I will never allow anyone else to make that choice or take it from me.
Then force her to stay.
It’s ridiculous. I can’t lock her up and keep her, using her for my sick pleasure while I decide what to do with her. But it’s a feeble argument. I already want her. She’s burrowed deep beneath my skin and stolen a place inside me without my permission. I crave her.
You let her meet your son.
Fuck. It’s the deciding factor. Hadley knows too much already. She wants answers, but I’ll only give them if she agrees to allow my protection. A bargain struck that gives me unlimited access to Hadley while also keeping her safe until I get the information that I need.
She’ll spend the holidays with me. Christmas with a monster. I’ll get my answers, her sweet body, and then I’ll have what I need to decide Hadley’s fate.
“She’s going to crash,” Big John hollers, and I shake free from the thoughts holding me hostage.
We’re gaining on her. She’s not far ahead when the sleet falls harder, and the ground becomes frozen. The windshield wipers are slashing through the droplets, but as fast as they clear, there’s more to take their place. Visibility is decreasing. It’s too dangerous to be out here, chancing fate and risking our lives over a stubborn, paranoid woman.
I want to throttle her. Shout at her to slow down. Kiss her before she dies.
Well, fuck.
Big John curses as he struggles to keep us from sliding, but Hadley isn’t as lucky. The SUV slides toward a line of trees, and Hadley must jerk the wheel because she skids, spins in a half circle, and our headlights align.
Don’t do it, I shout in my head. I’m not your enemy.
Through the bright beams, I can see her expression. She doubts me. She’s frightened. But it’s the resolve I see that equally pisses me off and intrigues me. She’s a fighter. Until now, I began to doubt she had what it takes to play this deadly game.
Hadley revs the engine before slamming her foot on the gas. The SUV jolts forward as I laugh. The balls on this woman. She’s too fucking adorable and clueless.
Big John sits like he’s in shock. “Boss?”
I open my mouth to tell him to swerve out of her way when I see headlights appear from multiple vehicles. We’ve been found. None of my men would announce their presence like this without checking in first. The danger just escalated.
Hadley doesn’t notice the threat. She’s gaining speed as she heads toward the truck.
I do the only thing that’ll snare her attention. Throwing open the door, I climb out. My expensive leather shoes slide on the ground as I run in her direction. I wobble, desperate to convince her I’m not the one she needs to worry about. At least, not yet. Reaching for my gun, I palm the weapon and hope she doesn’t think it’s intended for her.
Hadley
Oh, God. He won’t let me go.
It’s the first thought to enter my head after I decide that I need to flee from Massimo and the truck. He won’t give up the chase, and the weather is making it difficult to drive. I’m already struggling without my driving glasses, and now it’s almost impossible to see more than a few feet in front of me. When I almost crashed into the trees, I slammed on the brakes and spun around, facing the truck.
All the anxiety, confusion, anger, and adrenaline combine into a volatile cocktail. I need Massimo to see that I’m not weak. He doesn’t own me. I won’t become a victim.
Never again.
Not even my montage will help me now. I’m not safe. I’m totally not in control. But I can take care of myself. Even if it’s a bit reckless and wild.
And that’s when I decide that I’m going to put an end to this. I rev the engine, slam my foot down on the gas, and shoot forward as the SUV shudders. I grip the steering wheel so damn tight that my knuckles hurt. I’m playing a dangerous game. I don’t want to die. I’ll always choose life, but I’m going to do it on my terms.
When I get close enough, I’ll bail out of the SUV if they don’t swerve aside and let me pass. It’s desperate. I know it’s silly, but I’m not in the best frame of mind. I’ve killed a man and had sex with a stranger. Someone tried to kidnap me. Massimo knows secrets about me. There’re a hundred questions in my head, and I don’t have any answers. It’s one too many traumas in a short period of time, and I just need it all to slow down and stop.
I think my plan is going to work until I see Massimo climb out of the truck. He runs toward me in his expensive suit and Italian leather shoes. I see him slide on the ground as he approaches me and pulls a gun from inside his coat.
He’s going to kill me!
Wait. What’s happening!?
Massimo isn’t pointing the gun at me. He’s shouting and gesturing with the gun. That’s when I notice several more cars heading in our direction. I press my foot on the brake, slowing down the SUV as I barely manage to swerve the vehicle in time. I’m three feet from splattering his body across the frozen ground when I skid to a halt, grinding the brakes.
Massimo yanks open the driver’s side door and leans his head inside, smashing his lips to mine. “Move over. We’ve got to go!”
I don’t hesitate to unbuckle and scramble across the seats, dropping onto the passenger side and reaching for the belt. I snap it into place as he’s driving off, no concern for his own safety or the belt that could prevent his death if we crash.
“Do you know how to shoot?”
I blink. What?
“Hadley, do you know how to shoot a gun? Not just the reactive shot from Clyde’s. Can you shoot?”
He’s asking me so calmly, it’s like he’s asking my favorite color or what I want for dinner.
“Uh, yes.” I had to learn once, long ago.
My mind threatens to shatter with that memory. I don’t want to think about him or the reason I bought a weapon. I refuse to let the past claw its way in and ruin me with the reemergence.
Stay focused, I say to myself, clinging to the armrest and door as I tremble in the seat.
“Good to know.” He doesn’t give me the gun. “We’re going to one of my houses. Someplace safe,” he informs me. There’s no permission asked or granted. He doesn’t ask for my opinion. A man like him only takes.
I narrow my eyes and scowl. “For now.”
He snorts at my bravado. “You’ll like this place. It’s run by Greta. She’s a force of nature.”
Greta? Who the hell is that? “I don’t want to meet one of your girlfriends or wives.”
It occurs to me that although Massimo doesn’t wear a ring, he’s probably got girlfriends, mistresses, and wives like all the powerful mafia men do. He’s probably the head of his organization who wears a different woman on his arm as often as he changes his pressed, button-down shirts.
But if he is, why bother with me and the diner? Again, more questions without answers.
Laughter rumbles up his chest. It’s deep and sexy and almost alarming. He’s never laughed like this around me, and I don’t know why he’s doing it now. “You amuse me, Tesoro .”
I don’t reply.
He’s still got the gun in one hand, driving through the slush and sleet as we head toward the main road. We’re not alone. Behind us, the truck is following, providing a barrier between the SUV and the people chasing us. It’s all some fucked-up action movie where I don’t know the plot, the characters, or the ending.
I shiver as the cold penetrates the interior, and Massimo frowns. “Why the fuck isn’t the heater on?”
Before I can answer, he’s pressing on the touch screen, blasting the warmth through the vents as I chance a glance in his direction.
“You will take care of yourself, Hadley. You understand me? I won’t have you unwell.”
Whatever. I ignore the pulse of warmth in my chest with his words.
“We need to set some rules. No more wild car rides. No fleeing from me with a desperate escape plan. No wild ideas about how you’re getting rid of me.”
What a dictator. I scoff as the heat finally begins to chase away the chill.
“I’m fucking serious. You will do as I say.”
I’m brave and annoyed enough to ask why.
“Because I am the only person in this world who cares that you live.”
It’s a slap in the face, and I turn my cheek, hating that he’s right. I have no one to count on. Not a soul in my life who can keep me safe. I only have Massimo.
He gives me a smug look as the SUV reaches the main road and picks up speed. We’re leaving the threat behind us. For now.
I’m at his mercy. He knows it. I know it.
“I have a proposition for you, Bella .”
“I suppose I don’t have a choice.”
“You do. I can stop the SUV right now and let you out.”
Asshole. I glare at him as he shrugs.
“I never said I was a nice man.”
“Your proposal?” I ask with attitude.
“Share my bed, and no one harms you.”