22. SCARLET
I wake in the middle of the night because I have to use the bathroom. Once I detangle myself from Antonio, whose body is draped over mine like an octopus, and finish my business, I realize I'm wide awake.
Not wanting to wake Antonio, I steal a blanket off the couch and step through the veranda doors onto the large balcony. Huddled in the blanket, I stare at the most amazing view.
I'm not exactly sure where we are. I was out when Carlos's goons took me to God knows where, and the car ride from there to here was a blur.
All I know is that I was taken in New York City.
I haven't been out of the city much, but it looks like we're at least still in the state of New York.
But what do I know? We could be in North Carolina.
It doesn't matter; the view is breathtaking.
Down below the balcony is a deck with fancy lounge chairs, a table setting with a fireplace in the center, a full-sized bar, and a barbeque pit that looks more like a kitchen.
Next to the deck is an Olympic-sized infinity pool with more lounge chairs surrounding it.
How many people come here to visit? This place puts any resort to shame .
The infinity pool looks like it drops right into the large lake behind it, but I know that's just an optical illusion. A deck leads out to a collection of boats: a small yacht, a speedboat, a rowboat, and even a canoe.
Surrounding all this is a thick, deep forest. If it weren't for some lights shining through the trees here and there, I could almost imagine that we are alone, miles from civilization.
A quick breeze makes me shiver but wakes me up even more, reminding me of the most incredible sex I’ve ever had. I've never before let myself go like this. I don't even recognize the woman who so wantonly responded to Antonio. And did I really ask him about joining the mafia? Ugh.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I've been through a very traumatic event, met the most incredible man, and we had the most mind-blowing sex. That would wreak havoc with anybody's mind.
Right?
The problem is, I feel like I'm thinking straighter than I ever have before.
What those men did to me… for a moment, I allow myself to remember how helpless and powerless I felt dangling from the ceiling.
Just as helpless as when Mom took the switch to me, only a hundred times worse because whatever Mom did, I knew she wouldn't kill me. These men, though?
The same rush of anger that kept me alive bubbles back up inside me.
How dare those men play God? They could have killed me—would have, if Antonio hadn't come.
I don't know much right now, but I do know that I never, ever, want to be this helpless again.
Maybe joining the mafia is taking that a step too far, but I'm sure there are other things Antonio can teach me to defend myself better next time, like when he took me to the gun range.
Wait! Next time?
I lick my dry lips.
Next time!
Because suddenly, my entire, safe little world has crumbled to nothing. The bubble I lived in popped. I'm not invincible. I'm much more vulnerable than I ever realized.
My dad is a judge. Anybody with a grudge could come after me. Not only that, but he is now entangled with the mob, and there’s no turning back from that.
"Aren't you cold?" a deep voice says behind me.
Strong arms wrap me against an even stronger chest. His body heat penetrates the blanket and wreaks havoc with my insides.
"I wish you hadn't killed them."
"They deserved it," he replies, misunderstanding me, knowing I'm talking about Hank and Marco.
I lean my head against his chest, and he rests his chin on top of my head.
"They did, but I wish it had been me who did the deed."
He falls silent for a moment as we both stare out toward the lake's still surface. Both of us in shock at my admission.
"Killing someone is harder than you think, mio passerotta. It stays with you. It changes you."
"I'm already changed."
His arms tighten around me. "You might think that now. You've been through a terrible ordeal, but trust me, it'll fade with time."
"I'm so angry, Antonio. It scares me." I confess.
Not seeing his face and the serenity of the night makes this confession a lot easier.
"You have every right to be angry, Scarlet."
"Will you teach me more about how to shoot and how to defend myself?"
A small rumble goes through his chest, "You're not going to use whatever you learn against me, are you?"
His rumble grows, and a small tickle of laughter escapes me, too. The idea of me attacking him is ludicrous.
"Yes, I will teach you. Sei mia, mia piccola aquila. Nessuno ti porterà via da me . Now let's go back to bed, it's fucking cold out here."
"Why are you calling me a little eagle now?
I thought I was your little sparrow?" I ask, leaving out the other part that has my heart fluttering like crazy, the other part that translates to: You’re mine, my little eagle.
No one will take you away from me . His possessiveness is becoming a major turn-on for me.
He chuckles, "So did I. But it seems my sparrow has grown claws, maybe my sparrow is becoming an eagle?"
He leans around me, lifts my feet off the ground, and carries me back to bed, where he carefully lays me down.
The mattress dips as he settles beside me, spooning me.
I feel his steady breath against my skin as he tucks the blanket around us, ensuring I'm comfortable and safe.
His fingers gently stroke my cheek, and his touch lingers before he leans in to softly whisper, "Rest now, everything will be alright. "
Morning comes way too soon. Sleepily, I turn. My hand is looking for Antonio, but the bed is empty. With a sigh, I sit up, realizing how sore I am between my legs.
"Good morning." His deep voice comes from the closet as he steps out. He's freshly showered; his hair is still wet, so it looks almost black. He's in the middle of buttoning his shirt, and my heart makes a leap. Nobody should look this good. Nobody. It's just not right.
My eyes follow his nimble fingers as they put one button after another through the tiny holes, covering his hard stomach muscles and chest.
"Good morning," I reply, getting a whiff of myself and recoiling from it. Shit. Morning breath. Ugh.
It doesn't seem fair how he is so fresh and clean while I… my eyes find a mirror, and I shudder. My hair is a tangled mess, my lips are still swollen from our kisses, and I haven't put an ounce of makeup on since he… saved me.
"I have to go to work for a while, but I thought you might want to do some online shopping while I'm gone. You can use my laptop. I've set a few accounts up for you that nobody will be able to trace."
Hypnotized, I watch him put on his cufflinks. Why does that look so freaking sexy?
"Uh, okay."
"Don't tell me you're not excited about shopping?" He raises a perfectly groomed eyebrow at me, and my heart stutters. Fuck, why does he have to be so handsome? "Are you sore?" His expression changes to concern.
"I'm good," I assure him. "I'm just not a morning person.
" I'm not. I'm really, really not. My roommates in college always gave me a wide berth until I had my fill of coffee.
That short thought brings a wave of sadness.
I miss my friends. I wish I could talk to them.
Elli has to be going out of her mind with worry for me.
But calling her or any of them is out of the question.
I would rather endure their wrath later than put them in danger now.
"Well, you look like a goddess, if that's any consolation."
He moves over quickly, ready to give me a kiss. Automatically, my hand shoots up. "Morning breath," I explain, shielding him from it with my hand.
He laughs, pushes my hand aside, and kisses me. "I knew you had to have a flaw."
The kiss turns hotter as he ravishes my mouth for a few minutes before shaking his head, "You're a tempting, hot mess."
He backs up and moves his hands as if warding me off. I can't stop the giggle that escapes me, and just like that, the new daring Scarlet comes back out as I remove the sheet to give him a glimpse of my naked body.
He takes me in. "Scarlet." His voice is a growl.
"Hmm," I entice, lying down and moving my right foot up and down my left leg, feeling sexy as all get out despite all those earlier thoughts about body odors. There is just something about the way he looks at me that makes me feel hot and desired.
"Shit, Scarlet," he moves forward and pulls me to him by my ankle, and yes, that move is so fucking hot, I'm already getting wet.
His hands find my hips as he turns me as if I weigh nothing. "I'm sorry."
"What?"
I look down and find handprint bruises on my hips. With that, the image of him grabbing my hips and moving me up and down his cock returns, and a moan escapes me. That was the best sex of my life.
"I didn't mean to hurt you."
I meet his eyes. "You did. You marked me."
His green eyes turn darker and burn. The small growl which escapes him is so fucking hot, I can feel my pussy dripping.
"Fuck, Scarlet." He grabs my hair and kisses me again, deep and possessive.
I curl myself around him like a snake and enjoy how his nostrils flare and his breathing intensifies.
Same with his heart rate. I like having this kind of power over him.
He is the most dangerous man I've ever met, a man who kills without blinking an eye, and yes, there is something wrong with me that it turns me on. I'll freely admit it and own it.
His phone rings. With a curse, he breaks our kiss. His eyes are on me while he talks to whoever is on the other end in rapid-fire Italian. He speaks too fast and with an accent I haven't fully deciphered yet, so I can only make out a few words, but it's enough to realize that playtime is over.
A frisky voice inside me tries to entice me to undo his buttons, but the expression on his face is serious enough that I shut the voice down. Maybe once I get to know him better…
"You've got to go," I state when he finally hangs up, looking dark.
"I'm sorry."
"It's alright. I'll be fine. I'll do some shopping."
He seems distracted as he fiddles with his tie, and I crook my finger to make him come over. I sit up and knot his tie until it's perfect.
"You're good at this."
"I used to always do it for my dad."
He kisses the top of my nose before rushing off to get his jacket. "The laptop is over there. It's safe and untraceable. Still, don't do anything stupid like check your emails or anything, capiche ?"
I grin. " Capiche ."
He's standing by the door, his hand on the knob, when my grin deepens. "Yes, sir."
His eyes burn into mine with the intensity of a wildfire.
Yes, I'm really starting to like the power I seem to have over him.
He closes his eyes as if praying for patience before he lets go of the knob and stalks over to where I'm still standing on my knees.
His arm slings around my waist as he crushes me up against his chest. His lips press against mine in a claiming kiss that leaves me breathless.
"You'll be the death of me, mio passarotti ."
My hand reaches for his cock, and I fist as much of it as I can, not failing to notice how hard it is already. "Antonio, you feel very much alive to me."
He groans. "I have to go."
"So you keep saying," I tease.
His phone rings again, and I have mercy on him. I let go of his cock.
I'll be right here , I mouth as he gives me an apologetic look and turns to the door.