Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
I strolled across the cabin of the luxurious yacht and joined Fee and Matt who were chatting and laughing on the comfortable couch. I stared through the glass at Alex and Vince talking outside before taking in the opulent surroundings.
The modern yacht suited Vince even though I didn’t think he gave two fucks about the interior of things like yachts, helicopters, or other luxury items.
He probably saw those things as just a means to an end.
I focused back on the conversation and studied Matt. His easy-going demeanor was a stark contrast to the intensity that seemed to radiate from his brother constantly.
Vince was honestly too intense to ever be considered charming. Or maybe he was able to turn up the charm; he just didn’t do it around me?
“So, Picca?” I asked and pointed at the pup in Matt’s lap.
Matt chuckled. “You should’ve seen Vince when he found her in the middle of the road.” He chuckled. “Guy acts like a total hard-ass, but he stopped the car, got out, and scooped that little bloody furball up without a second thought.”
I glanced over at Vince, who had narrowed his brows and apparently was deep in conversation with Alex.
Even from a distance, I could sense the air of authority that surrounded him. Yet, the image of him shaking his ass, or cradling a helpless puppy softened that intimidating aura, if only for a moment.
“If he lets himself, Vince actually has a big heart,” Matt continued. “Especially when it comes to animals…or the people he cares about.”
As if sensing my gaze, Vince’s gaze flicked over to meet mine. The intensity in those dark eyes sent a shiver down my spine.
I quickly looked away, focusing on the gentle sway of the boat, the comfortable pillows of the couch, and on Matt, scratching Picca behind her ears. Another tattooed Mafia bad-boy who apparently had a soft spot for animals.
“You wouldn’t think it’s been only a couple of days since he had her,” he said and chuckled.
My head snapped up. “Only a couple of days?”
Matt nodded. “We picked her up on the way from your house to the helicopter.”
Huh. He’d been such an asshole that day. Dominant. Aggressive and infuriating, only to rescue Picca right after?
But why was I even surprised? I knew he could switch moods in the blink of an eye, so it made sense.
Just like his mood switched the moment he’d recognized Ivan Zotov, or the moment after he came back from their conversation.
What was the real nature of Vince’s connection to the infamous Ivan Zotov? They didn’t seem to be on friendly terms, but they didn’t try to kill each other either. So, what was going on between those two?
And what was going on between him and me? What was this undeniable pull I felt toward a man who represented everything I despised?
Who should represent everything I despised.
The sound of Vince’s deep voice carried over, his tone serious as he conversed with Alex while they both stepped inside.
Now that the sun was setting and with the cool autumn breeze, it must be freezing outside.
I strained to make out their words, but the distance and the sounds of the water and the boat made it impossible. Still, the mere sound of his voice was enough to send my thoughts spiraling once again.
The way he looked, with rivulets of water running down his chiseled chest. His tattoos. The way he’d gripped his cock.
His cock.
Damn.
I forced myself to focus on the present, on the laughter between Fee and Matt. Yet, even as I joined their conversation, a part of me remained acutely aware of Vince standing across the room.
“So how is it that you turned out to be a somewhat functioning human being while your brother is…well, Vince?” I asked Matt, nodding my head toward where Vince stood with Alex.
Matt chuckled and shook his head. “Don’t let his tough exterior fool you. Deep down, he’s not as bad as he seems.”
I raised an eyebrow skeptically. “You’re kidding, right? The man threw me in a van, kidnapped me to his apartment, and nearly drowned me in his pool.”
Fee’s eyes widened, and she turned to stare at me. “He did what?”
Shrugging, I recounted the events of earlier that day, from the moment I left the cafe to follow Vince to waking up bound in that dimly lit room.
Matt’s expression darkened as I described the panic I was feeling. “He took you to his apartment?”
I nodded. “And then he picked me up along with the chair and tossed me into his pool.”
An uncomfortable silence fell over us. Fee looked utterly bewildered, her gaze flicking between Vince and me as if trying to make sense of my words.
“Why would he do that?” she finally asked, her voice hushed.
Another shrug. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
“Only, I didn’t toss you in the pool. I jumped right in with you.”
I turned, and my eyes met his brooding ones.
“Why would you jump into the pool with her?” Alex asked.
Vince shrugged. “She wouldn’t stop screaming, so I thought the shock of the water would snap her out of it.”
Fee’s eyes went huge. “Why would she be screaming?”
Shit. I knew Fee had had a hard time after what happened in Italy—was probably still dealing with the aftermath.
As was I.
I shook my head, but Vince ignored me.
He shrugged, and he stared into my eyes. “She was having a full-blown panic attack…” He trailed off and let that hang in the air.
“It wasn’t so bad,” I chimed in.
The muscles around his eyes tensed. “It was worse than anything I’d ever seen. I didn’t untie her because I wasn’t sure she wouldn’t hurt herself actually.”
I sighed. Great, now everyone would talk about it, and Fee would probably tell Sophie and Cara.
Alex’s eyes first met Fee’s, then mine. “Jemma?” The empathy and knowing in them created a lump in my throat the size of a soccer ball.
I stared down at my hands in my lap, unwilling to meet anyone’s gaze. I did not want to think or talk about Italy, or the aftermath of the kidnapping, at all, but especially not in front of Vince Salvini. I could feel the panic rising like bile in my throat.
Fee reached over and squeezed my hand, offering a reassuring smile. Her presence helped to ground me in the present moment. I took a deep breath and looked up. My gaze inadvertently met Vince’s intense stare.
He knew. Of course, he knew, but there was something, an understanding in those dark depths, which both unsettled and comforted me. As if he just now realized how big the demons that haunted me really were.
I tore my gaze away from him and instead focused on Matt. His warm, open expression put me at ease.
“It’s nothing, really,” I said, aiming for a casual tone despite the tightness in my chest. “It’s in the past. I survived and came out stronger on the other side.”
Fee squeezed my hand and sighed. No doubt, she recognized the bravado for what it was—a shield against the lingering aftereffects.
Against the unwanted attention.
“Well, you don’t have to worry about anything like that happening again,” Vince stated, his deep voice holding a quiet intensity.
I scoffed before I could stop myself. “Is that supposed to be reassuring? Given that you have no concept of personal space, and considering you’re the one who kidnapped and terrorized me today?”
This was good. Anger was good. At least, it was much better than sinking into that dark place.
His jaw ticked, but he held my gaze steadily. “Do we need to get into what started it all again?”
I turned and looked at Matt. “So, how come you’re so normal, and he turned out the way he did?”
Alex cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. “Jemma.”
But I wasn’t ready to let it go, the injustice of Vince’s actions still burning hotly inside me.
Matt chuckled, but he seemed to really consider my question. “Our father is a mean SOB, and Vince is the oldest, so he bore the brunt of the impact.”
“Matt,” Vince said.
“And inherited the meanness?” I asked. Now, I was really curious. What made Vince Salvini tick? What made him act the way he did? What were his weak points? Maybe there was something I could use to extricate myself from him and this situation. Something I could use to gain back my freedom.
Vince leaned back against the window, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Shut up, Matt.”
Matt looked at Vince, one dark brow quirked upward. “Why should I?”
Vince relaxed even more, if that was even possible. “The two of you are so similar. Maybe this marriage won’t be such a hardship after all,” Vince said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Anger replaced the unsettled feeling in my stomach, and I lifted my chin defiantly. “This marriage is not going to happen.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked as he clenched his jaw and leaned forward. “Wanna bet? You’re on your way to meet your father-in-law.”
I inhaled sharply and searched Fee’s eyes. How did I not even ask where we were going? Wait, I did ask. I glared at Vince. Somehow, I assumed we would just drive around a bit and go somewhere to eat.
I focused back on Fee for confirmation, and she nodded, her eyes full of compassion. “Your Dad couldn’t come, though,” she said.
My heart rate started to double. “I’m not…this is not.” I glared at Vince. “You tricked me.”
He raised an eyebrow.
I folded my arms across my chest and entered a staring contest with him. I should’ve gotten out of that apartment as soon as I was dressed, or at least I shouldn’t have agreed to go with him to “walk” Picca.
Matt let out a heavy sigh and ran a hand through his hair. “Why don’t we just get this dinner over with and come up with an alternative solution tomorrow?”
I turned to Matt, completely focused on him, and ignored Vince.
I could feel his eyes still on me, like two laser beams burning a hole into the back of my head, but from now on, I wouldn’t give him any more attention.
For a split second during this afternoon and our walk, I thought he was okay.
But I should’ve known better. Should stop being so na?ve.
It was probably just the aftermath of my panic attack that had me in a bit of a mental state. Because one thing was very clear.
Vince Salvini was not a friend.
He was the enemy. A bully who acted as if he had some sort of moral high ground here. When in reality, he was the head of a goddamn Mafia family.
Black morals, black soul, black everything.
He’d tricked me for a second, and my current situation might not look so good.
But delulu wasn’t the solulu.
So whatever situation I was in—I, and only I, would decide on my destiny and trust myself to find a way.