41. Make It Good
CHAPTER 41
MAKE IT GOOD
S erena
The elevator doors open right into Valerio’s penthouse loft, showcasing a stunning view of downtown Milano. It’s no Manhattan skyline, but it’s not bad. The apartment is pristine with white leather couches and sleek, minimalistic furnishings. He ushers Antonio and me into the great room, the vaulted ceilings soaring with no end.
“Nice place,” I murmur. After the last few days of sleeping on a sun lounger, I am so looking forward to a real bed. And I can already bet the mattress is going to be heavenly.
“ Grazie .” Valerio tips his head, and his chic retro glasses slide down the bridge of his nose. “Please, make yourself comfortable.” He motions to the impeccable living room, but after days without a proper shower, I’m scared to sit on the spotless leather. Apparently, Antonio is too because he remains at my side.
“I’m good standing. Long car ride and all.” I perch beside the oversized marble island, dropping my purse on the barstool.
“I appreciate this, Val,” Antonio whispers.
“I’m sure you do.” He grins, but there’s something not entirely friendly about it. I can’t help but wonder about his earlier comment. Why hadn’t Antonio talked to his friend for years?
My abductor, turned I-don’t-even-know-what, inches closer, his hand sliding onto the small of my back. I hate how much comfort that faint touch brings. And I despise the fact that I can’t keep my body from leaning into him.
Valerio eyes me, then the hand on my back, and a chill snakes up my spine. “A glass of wine perhaps?”
I’m weirdly awake considering the time of night, and a bottle of Chianti to settle my nerves sounds perfect. “Yes, please.”
“Are you sure?” Antonio’s dark gaze settles on me. “We have to be awake early to make it to the airport.”
Shit, that’s right. Ale is already mid-air, on his way across the Atlantic. He sent me a text message on the drive over. And still, I nod because the idea of all of this finally being over doesn’t bring me the peace it should. “Yeah, I need a drink.”
Antonio ticks his head at his friend, or whatever he is. “Just one glass for her, none for me. I need to speak to you about a few things.”
“Of course.” Valerio moves toward the kitchen, gliding with preternatural grace. Who is this guy? I watch, oddly enthralled, as he pulls a bottle from a wine fridge under the counter and begins to decant it. From the looks of the bottle, it’s vintage and expensive. I almost open my mouth to tell him not to bother. It seems like a waste, but it’s too late now as the fruity tannins fill the air. At least he grabs two glasses, filling one for himself, then hands me the full one.
Clinking his glass to mine, he offers a smile. “ Cin cin , to your health.”
“I’m going to need it, grazie .”
He glances at Antonio then back at me. “No luck will be needed, I’m certain you are in good hands.”
My escort clears his throat, then runs his hand across his nape. “If you’re quite ready, Val, I’d like to go over the footage you’ve uncovered.”
“ Cierto .” Then his gaze flickers to mine. “Shall I show you to your room on the way?”
“Yes,” I groan. “That would be amazing.”
We follow Valerio down the hallway, the squeak of my sneakers on the marble embarrassing. I should have bought some sandals while I was at that shop in Como. Antonio’s shoulder grazes my side as we walk and it’s oddly comforting, just like his hand on the small of my back.
Our host finally stops in front of a door and twisting the knob, swings it open. Much like the rest of the apartment, it’s impeccable with a clean, modern design that had to be created by a professional. “I hope it’s to your liking. I didn’t exactly have time to prepare for your arrival.”
“As long as there’s a bed and a shower, it’s more than enough.”
He offers a smile, then turns to his friend. “And your bedroom?—”
“I’ll stay with Serena.” Antonio cuts him off before he finishes his sentence.
I spin at the bold insinuation, knitting my brows as I regard him. “That’s pretty presumptuous.”
His gaze sharpens, those bottomless orbs daring me to contradict him. “I’m not assuming anything, but I also won’t risk you out of my sight all night long.”
“Neither of you will be in any sort of danger at my home. But still—” Valerio backs up a step, lingering in the threshold when Antonio shoots him a narrowed glare. “I’ll leave you two to discuss.”
I take a sip of the wine, and the floral notes burst along my tongue, distracting me from the glaring beast in front of me. Mmm, this is amazing.
“I’ll sleep on the floor if that makes you more comfortable.”
Glancing up to meet those piercing orbs, I focus on his words, and a pang races across my heart. “Relax, Toni, I’m messing with you. I spent the last few days sharing a tiny boathouse with you. I’m fine with you in my bed.”
Something unreadable sparks across those midnight irises, and the ghost of a smile hitches the corners of his lips. “Good.”
“Good,” I echo.
“Do you need anything before I go?”
“Nah, I’m just going to draw myself a hot bath, drink my wine and pass out.”
His eyes darken, and a trickle of heat kindles at the sight. “I wish I could join you.”
“You could,” I whisper, stepping into him. If this is our last night together, we may as well make it memorable, right?
A groan vibrates his chest and his hand snakes out, cupping the back of my neck, drawing me closer. “Then I’d never want to leave.” He huffs out a breath, shoulders sagging in frustration. “And I must discover who burnt Mamma ’s villa to the ground.”
I nod slowly as the smolder in his eyes intensifies with anger, instead of lust. “Guess I’ll see you in the morning then.”
His head dips, and he releases me, taking a measured step back. “I’ll wake you when it’s time to leave.”
“Perfect.” I force a smile, but it feels all wrong. Keeping it firmly in place until he walks out, I’m proud of my incredible acting skills. Dio , what is wrong with me? I should be thrilled that this whole kidnapping debacle is almost over. Instead, I’m dreading the end.
The bed dips beside me, and the scent of warm amber and musk consumes me. I’m instantly awake, my eyes snapping open. Antonio sits hunched on the other side of the enormous king, taking off his shoes I imagine. Then he straightens and peels off a shirt I don’t recognize, revealing the map of tattoos along his back. The scars they hide are permanently emblazoned in my mind, so much so that even in the dark room, I can make them out. Lex talionis …
That pit of dread tightens my gut as I continue to watch him when he strips down to his boxers. My brain isn’t the only thing awake anymore. Now, my lusty pussy is on full alert, as if his scent has triggered her somehow.
His head twists over his shoulder, and I squeeze my eyes closed like a big fat chicken. I can’t even explain why I do it. Probably because I don’t want to seem like a weirdo stalker who has been watching him undress this whole time.
The mattress dips again, closer now, and that familiar scent grows stronger. Antonio’s breath dusts my hair, and it takes all my willpower not to open my eyes. Again, I’m not sure why I don’t, but I remain completely still. His lips brush my forehead, and something deep inside me just shatters.
“Sweet dreams, tesoro ,” he whispers against my skin, and my heart raps out a manic drumbeat against my ribs. “I’m sorry for everything.”
My breaths come more quickly now, and I’m surprised he can’t hear the roar of my pulse which thunders across my eardrums. It’s so loud I’m certain Valerio can hear it way across the penthouse wherever his bedroom may be.
Antonio curls up beside me, lacing his arm across my belly and his forearm brushes the underside of my breasts. A damned breathy sigh slips out, and he freezes.
Shit. What do I do now?
Slowly, I open my eyes, doing my best to look like I just woke up. I even yawn, drawing it out far longer than normal. “Hi,” I whisper.
He unlocks his arm from around my waist and puts some space between us. And my traitorous body screams at the sudden distance. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” he mutters.
“It’s okay. It’s probably almost time for us to get up, isn’t it?”
“Not yet. We still have a few more hours. You should get some rest.” Antonio starts to roll to his side of the bed, but my hand snakes out, fingers interlacing with his. An endless moment passes between us, neither one of us moving or speaking. Maybe even breathing. Then he turns back, eyes wide and fixed on mine.
“I’m too wired to sleep,” I blurt out in a rush. Then I roll onto my side, tugging on his arm, and pull him beside me so our bodies are flush. “And I can rest on my flight back to Manhattan.”
Starlight sparks across those velvety orbs, and the hint of a smile kicks up his lips. “Are you sure?”
I lace my free hand around his back and slide it down to his ass. “Yes. Now fuck me like you mean it because if it’s the last night we’re spending together, you better make it good.”