15. Massimo
It was nearly two in the afternoon, and Evelyn was still sleeping. Unsurprising, considering it’d been dawn when I’d finally tucked her into bed. She’d stirred in her sleep a few times, her brow furrowing with an echo of the fear she’d faced. I’d held her through the tense moments, stroking her silky platinum hair until she slept peacefully once again.
Keeping one arm draped over her, I continued texting my friends with my phone in my other hand. Enzo and Gian were traveling back to Naples, so they could place the bribes we needed at Italian ports and arrange the payment to the cartel for their product.
They had a lot of work ahead of them, but my only job was to maintain a good relationship with Stefano Duarte until the deal was sealed. He’d invited me to one of his infamous parties tonight, and I couldn’t refuse. I also wasn’t willing to take my eyes off Evelyn. I’d have to figure out a way to bring her as my guest.
And deter her from making a scene.
I won’t let you down. I texted the promise to the encrypted group chat I shared with the brothers. I can handle Evelyn.
How? Gian shot back almost immediately. What do you think Duarte will say when he finds out you’re holding Crawford’s fiancée as a hostage in his home? You should have asked his permission before you kidnapped her and brought her there.
I blew out a soft sigh, careful not to rouse Evelyn. She’s not my hostage. I’m protecting her from Crawford. Duarte is the kind of man who will understand that. He didn’t mind that I killed his men to save her.
Duarte won’t like the fact that Crawford is still breathing. Enzo was quick to remind me.
My jaw clenched. I don’t like it either. He’ll be dead soon enough.
Once I took Evelyn in hand and ensured she wouldn’t try to run from me, I would be free to resume my pursuit of Crawford. She seemed like a reasonable person; she’d endured horrors and hadn’t broken down into hysterics. She’d been consumed by panic for a few terrible minutes—when she’d been afraid of me—but I’d managed to soothe her.
In her confusion, she might not realize the electric chemistry we shared, but I would use it to my advantage. She responded to my touch, and I would gladly take every opportunity to hold her.
Have a safe flight. I sent the final text and closed the messaging app. I didn’t want to argue with my friends anymore. They needed to trust that I could navigate this situation, just as I trusted them to set up the infrastructure we needed in Europe.
I knew I was acting out of character, and that would worry them, especially when we were so close to attaining our goal. I’d never obsessed over a woman like this, and I definitely didn’t hold them captive, no matter how dark my sexual games could become.
My connections with women were meant to be hedonistic and fleeting—fulfilling my most savage needs without the headache of emotional attachment. I was too busy with my work to indulge in long term distractions. Ensuring my security, power, and wealth was more important than a relationship. And my devotion to my friends’ mission far outweighed my nonexistent interest in romance.
But Evelyn was different. The innocent beauty looked at me as her protector. No one ever looked at me like that. The feeling was new and addictive, and I craved more.
I reached for my phone again and tapped out a message to Duarte’s staff, requesting breakfast. Evelyn would be hungry when she woke up, and I couldn’t allow her to sleep for much longer. I had to talk to her about attending Duarte’s party tonight. I had to make sure she would behave for me.
A few decidedly wicked ways to enforce her obedience played through my mind, but I shut them down before they could fully form. She would be terrified if she woke up to my hard-on. It was difficult enough keeping my lust in check with her delectable body cuddled up against me, her feminine curves barely concealed by my oversized shirt.
The sight of it on her pleased me more than was probably healthy. But after seeing her in Crawford’s bloodstained shirt, the visible sign that I’d staked my own claim over her filled me with savage satisfaction.
I stroked her soft cheek, tracing the tiny, light freckles that dusted her creamy complexion. “Farfallina,” I murmured, rousing her gently. “It’s time to wake up.”
Her long, pale lashes fluttered, and her brow pinched with confusion. Those stunning peridot eyes peered up at me, and I watched as reality darkened her lovely gaze. She was remembering where she was, what had happened to her last night.
I flexed my arm around her, tugging her closer in a reassuring embrace. “You’re safe, dolcezza.”
Her eyes began to shine, and she blinked quickly to hold back her tears. I cupped her cheek in my hand, grounding her to me.
“It’s okay,” I murmured. “You can cry. You don’t have to hold back around me.”
She’d hidden her distress from Crawford, protecting him from worry with her quiet strength.
But I was strong enough for both of us, and she didn’t have to bear that kind of burden now that she was with me.
She blinked again and swallowed hard as she edged away from me. “Let me go.”
I didn’t budge an inch. It took no effort at all to keep her pinned to my side, trapped in my arms.
“I’ve got you,” I soothed, brushing my fingers through her silken hair. She’d calmed when I’d petted her like this last night, but it didn’t seem as effective now.
She squirmed. “Please.” Her plea came out on a ragged whisper.
I couldn’t bear the prospect that she might fear me, so I reluctantly released her. Maybe a little space would allow her to sort through her surging emotions.
She scooted away from me, clambering off the bed to put distance between us. Her eyes were wide on me, her gaze flicking over my bare chest before snapping back up to my face. She licked her lips and took a step back, putting more space between us.
Her pupils were dilated—with fear or desire?
I wanted to believe that she was aroused by the sight of my body, but she was undeniably shaken by everything she’d been through in the last twenty-four hours.
I sighed and nodded in the direction of the ensuite. “Everything you need is in the bathroom. Let me know if you want anything different from what I ordered.”
Her toiletries, makeup, and clothes had been quietly delivered a few hours ago. Duarte had an efficient team on staff, and they hadn’t asked any questions when I’d messaged them to request everything that Evelyn might need. I would make her comfortable here with me, and she would have no reason to want to leave.
She studied me for a moment longer, white teeth sinking into her pillowy lower lip.
Fuck, I wanted to taste her lips, to tame her tongue with mine.
My muscles flexed as I suppressed the need to close the distance between us and sweep her up in a scorching kiss. I still wasn’t willing to scare her; Evelyn would never look at me with fear again.
Besides, I was skilled in seduction. I didn’t need to frighten her to coax her into my bed. She would give herself to me soon enough.
“Go on,” I prompted when she didn’t immediately move to obey me.
We would have to work on that. I was accustomed to having my orders followed without question or hesitation. If it weren’t for her traumatic circumstances, her delayed compliance would’ve irritated me. As it was, I had more patience for her reticence. She’d been through a lot, and she needed a little time to process her new reality. Once she accepted that she belonged with me, she would be much happier and more amenable. I would give her everything she could possibly desire, and she would be eager to please me, in return. Evelyn was tender-hearted and selfless; I’d seen those qualities during the days I’d been stalking her.
Soon, that devotion would be directed at me. She would be mine, body and soul.
“Breakfast will be here soon,” I told her when she continued to linger. “You need to eat.” I gestured toward the ensuite again. “You have fifteen minutes.”
Her chin tilted in that same defiant posture she’d shown last night. It should’ve irritated me, but I was consumed by the nearly overwhelming urge to take her in my arms and kiss all the defiance from her fragile frame, until she melted against me. She would promise to obey me, promise me anything if I would just give her more pleasure. She might not realize it yet, but our chemistry was electric. She would love being my good girl.
“Now, Evelyn.” My firm tone allowed no room for argument.
A light shiver raced over her, and her eyes dropped to the floor, as though forcibly breaking from the power of my steady stare. She moved stiffly as she walked the short distance to the bathroom, keeping her eyes averted from mine. Her posture remained defiant, but she complied, locking the door behind her.
I took a breath and struggled to master my lust. The small power play had stirred all of my most wicked instincts. I ached to touch her, to make her melt in my hands. I wanted her panting and pleading for more.
A knock on the door to the suite distracted me from my internal battle, cooling my mounting need for her. I pulled on a lightweight black robe and crossed into the sitting room, accepting the breakfast that waited outside on a wheeled cart. I thanked the server and brought the cart into the suite myself, ensuring that Evelyn and I had complete privacy.
I’d just finished setting the small dining table when I heard the bathroom door unlock.
“Come here, farfallina,” I called out, another firm order. “It’s time to eat.”
I wouldn’t allow her to neglect her needs. Evelyn was my responsibility now, and I would make sure that she was well cared for. She would never want for anything ever again.
She appeared at the threshold to the sitting room, her lovely eyes narrowed on me. “You can’t just order me around like that.”
I met her with a cool stare of my own, my brows raised expectantly. “You’re hungry.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I am not.”
“I warned you not to lie to me, Evelyn.” I said with the edge of a growl. I didn’t tolerate dishonesty.
She huffed out a frustrated breath. “Fine. I’m hungry. But that doesn’t mean I’ll let you boss me around.”
My mouth quirked in a crooked smile. She was cute when she was indignant.
I simply pulled out a chair for her and waited, keeping her locked in my expectant stare.
She glared at me and dug in her heels, lips pressing to a thin, angry line.
“You can sit down and eat your breakfast, or I can feed it to you while you sit in my lap.” Even as I issued the ultimatum, the prospect of following through on my threat stirred my darkest carnal urges.
I was almost disappointed when she released an exasperated breath and strode toward the table. Her obedience should please me, but I craved to cuddle her close and feed her from my own hand. Now wasn’t the time to hold her against her will, but I resolved to fulfil that particular fantasy soon.
She sat stiffly, her back ramrod straight.
“Good girl,” I purred, and she bristled at the praise.
“I don’t want to be here,” she announced, keeping me fixed in that defiant glare. “I’m not behaving out of some desire to please you. I know I can’t fight you. I can’t outrun you. But you’re making a mistake keeping me here. The DEA will figure out where I am, and?—”
“Your fiancé isn’t coming to save you,” I snapped, a wave of ire surging to wash away my deviant pleasure.
She paled, but she didn’t back down. “I know.” She swallowed, her eyes shining with pain. “But I’m still an American citizen, and you’re friendly with the cartel. You can’t just kidnap me and expect to get away with it.”
“I didn’t kidnap you. You came with me willingly,” I reminded her, not caring for the way she was twisting the facts.
“I want to leave,” she insisted. “Are you going to let me go?”
“No,” I replied flatly. “Don’t ask again.”
She rolled her shoulders, shrugging off the threat in my tone. “Then you’re holding me captive, whether you kidnapped me or not. It won’t make a difference to the American authorities.”
“I don’t give a fuck about the American feds,” I growled. I probably should be more worried about them, but I was too obsessed with Evelyn to care. “No one will take you from me.”
I hated the fear that shadowed her eyes and softened her defiant posture. I’d wanted to make her melt, not wilt. I would have to be careful not to crush my delicate little flower.
“I’ll keep you safe,” I promised, gentling my voice. I sat down beside her, so I wasn’t looming over her anymore.
She tensed when I took her hand in mine, but she didn’t try to pull away. Her fingers were chilled with fear, so I brushed my thumb over her knuckles to warm them.
“I can’t let you go,” I said, a confession and a promise. It was too late for her to leave me. Evelyn belonged to me. She would accept that, once I proved to her how I would take care of her in every way imaginable. “It’s not safe for you out there. Crawford is still working for the DEA. If you go to the authorities for help, he will find you. And now that you know the truth about him, he won’t let you live.”
“You don’t know that.” Her voice hitched as she tried to deny the truth.
“He didn’t lift a finger to protect you,” I reminded her, keeping my voice gentle but firm. “He would’ve let his cartel friends shoot you to keep his secret safe.”
She closed her eyes and turned her face away, as though hearing the truth in my words caused her physical pain.
“I don’t want to be here,” she whispered. “I don’t want any of this.”
I touched two fingers beneath her chin, directing her gaze to mine. “Look at me.” The sheen of tears that brightened her eyes cut into my chest, but I kept my most volatile emotions off my face. Revealing the depth of my hatred for Crawford and the murderous rage I felt toward him for causing her this pain wouldn’t soothe her. She needed me to be calm and composed, in control of the situation.
“The time for regret is over,” I told her. “There’s no going back. You know the truth about Crawford, and you know you’re not safe with him. I will protect you with my life. Stay with me, Evelyn.”
She didn’t have a choice, but it would be easier for her if she could pretend. And I wouldn’t have to worry about her trying to escape if she chose to stay in the gilded cage that I would build for her.
A single tear rolled down her cheek, spilling over despite her attempts to rein in her emotions. “I’m scared, Massimo.”
Her admission hit me like a gut punch. It was the first time she’d ever said my name, and it’d wavered with fear.
But not fear of me. Not anymore.
Moving slowly so I wouldn’t spook her, I lowered my face to hers. Her gorgeous eyes widened, and her lush lips parted on a sharp intake of breath.
“Don’t be afraid, farfallina,” I murmured against her mouth, allowing my low command to sink into her.
Her head tipped back, offering her lips to me. I caressed them with mine, the barest suggestion of the way I truly wanted to kiss her: to claim her with my tongue and teeth.
But I could be patient. Evelyn would come to me. She would welcome me to ravage her. She would beg and whimper my name.
As I thought about her delicious submission to my will, my cock stiffened. I couldn’t deny my lustful reaction, but I wouldn’t take it out on her. Controlling Evelyn gave me the strength I needed to control myself.
So, I teased her lips with mine and traced the shape of her mouth with a sweep of my tongue. Her breaths came faster, until we shared oxygen. Her arms twined around my shoulders, anchoring her to me. I allowed her to pull me closer, even though I could’ve resisted if I’d wanted to. Evelyn was so small and fragile, and I could easily overpower her.
I breathed her in to center myself, focusing on the light floral notes of her scent that mingled with my own. I wondered if she tasted as sweet as she smelled, and my lips firmed on hers, my hunger getting the better of me.
Soon, I told myself. I’d feast on her pussy soon enough. For now, learning the shape of her mouth and the way she gasped at light flicks of my tongue against hers was enough to temper my darkest urges.
She melted in my arms, and her kiss turned more frenzied, desperate. My lips curved in a satisfied smirk.
Evelyn was all mine.