Chapter 15
Elodie doesn’t move when I take the seat beside her in the car, nor does she turn to look at me.
I notice her seat belt already fastened, her beautiful face angled toward the window.
“Can I speak freely?” she asks, probably referring to the driver.
“Yes. He’s completely trustworthy.”
“Abaddon said he was a man of his word. That when it was safe, you would set me free.”
“Look at me when you speak to me, Elodie.”
She takes a few seconds before obeying, as though reluctant to grant me even that small request.
“I’m also a man of my word, and I’m saying right now that you’re not a prisoner.”
“Yes, I already know. But I’m not free, either. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Can you at least tell me how long I’ll have to stay?”
“Until it’s safe. A month, two.” I fasten my own belt. “Now, tell me about yourself.”
“Why? I didn’t know Angelo. I just worked for him.”
“You don’t have to justify yourself.”
“I’m not justifying anything. But Abaddon said you were enemies of my enemies. You went through the trouble of paying two million dollars to get me out of there, so I’m assuming you think I know something, some secret about that bastard. Sorry, but you wasted your money. I don’t know anything.”
“I suspected as much.”
“And you still paid that much for me?”
I could tell her that sum won’t put the slightest dent in my fortune, but maybe that would be offensive to a waitress. I know she worked in one of the bastard’s restaurants and probably didn’t have much to live on.
As if reading my thoughts, she straightens her back, sitting taller, hardening her posture to meet me eye to eye.
Something inside me warms. This woman has been used in the worst way, treated like merchandise, nearly handed over as a sex toy for those sons of bitches, and still, she shows more dignity than most of the privileged people I know.
We keep staring at each other in silence, and for a moment, we’re both lost in the depths of the other’s eyes.
I know she feels the attraction, too. Neither of us wants it, but it’s here, strong and inevitable.
Deep in my mind, a voice reminds me that I wanted her long before this moment, the instant I saw her walking onto that auction stage through Abaddon’s camera feed.
I can say I didn’t intend to seduce her, but even I don’t buy that excuse. Not when I ended things with Capria immediately after deciding to bring Elodie to Tuscany.
From what I learned from my parents, even the faintest chance of betrayal is off the table for me. I’m brutally honest with the women I’m with; I don’t wrap the truth in pretty paper to make it easier to receive.
“Believe it or not, I didn’t pull you out of there only for my own interests.”
“Then why?”
“I saw you walk onto that stage, Elodie. I didn’t want you to be used.”
She looks stunned, as though surprised by my answer, but her expression shutters quickly. “You really expect me to believe you paid two million dollars just to protect me?”
“I didn’t say that. You interest me. Or rather, you interest Angelo. Which means keeping you with me, for now, benefits us both.”
“Not from where I’m sitting.”
“A ‘thank you, sir, for saving me’ would be very pleasant to hear.”
She looks at me, and I’m almost certain she’s growling in her head.
“I’ve never been accused of being pleasant, sir,” she says, drawing out the last word.
I lean back against the seat, fascinated by her combative spirit. “And what have you been accused of?”
“What?”
“Tell me about yourself.”
“What do you want to know? I worked for that bastard. One night, I was stupid enough to accept his invitation to dinner. I told him a little about myself,” she says, staring at her hands folded in her lap.
“I told him it was just me and my sister in this world, that we lived for each other. Only later did I realize I was practically telling him that if I disappeared, no one would care.”
“No other family?”
“No,” she says a little too quickly, and I suspect she’s lying.
I choose not to push. For now. She’s been pressured enough in too short a time.
“Go on.”
“What do you want to know, Giancarlo?”
“Gianni.”
“That sounds like a nickname. I imagine your friends call you that. I’m not your friend. I’m an unwilling guest.”
“Suit yourself. Now, tell me about you.”
Elodie sighs and wraps her arms around herself. Her hands are small, but her fingers are long, elegant, and I catch myself thinking they’d look beautiful adorned with jewels.
“I give you my word I’ve told you the important parts.
No family. Just me and Amber. And that’s why I have one request. But before you answer, I need to say this: you said you’re a man of your word.
I’m a woman who keeps her oaths, too. Let me hear my sister’s voice on the phone, if possible.
I need to know she’s safe. If you grant me this, I promise I won’t cause you trouble. I’ll do whatever you ask of me.”