26. Liana
TWENTY-SIX
LIANA
I felt a stirring beside me and my eyes snapped open to find myself wedged under Giovanni’s arm, my head in the crook of his neck.
I jolted up, hitting his jaw by accident.
“Ugh, fuck,” he grunted.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured, rubbing the crown of my head, unsure of what to do. Usually when Amara got hurt, I’d rub the spot and then kiss it. Without thinking, I pushed his hand away, then did exactly that. When I pulled back, he was staring at me.
“Umm, it’s what I do when Amara gets hurt,” I explained.
“I liked it,” he said with a shrug and an irresistible smile on his face. “I think you should hurt me more often.”
I let out a chuckle. “Be careful what you ask for.”
I went to move, but his next words stopped me.
“I want a kiss here too.” He tapped his neck where I cut him before, then his arm where I shot him… correction, grazed him. Men were just babies. The bandages were long gone, but there was still a faint line there. “Just to make sure it gets better.”
Even as I shook my head in disbelief, I found myself leaning forward and pecking the area. Still grinning, I slid out of bed and padded to the bathroom.
After my morning routine and a shower, I returned to the bedroom to find Giovanni gone, a message left behind in his place.
*Come find me in the kitchen.*
When I stepped out onto the deck, trying to figure out which way the kitchen was, I ran into Romeo.
His hands came to my arms to steady me. I flinched, shoving him off, and he stumbled backward.
“What the fuck is wrong with you, woman?” he growled as he caught himself on the rail. “I was just trying to steady you.”
I brought a shaking hand to my mouth. Jesus , I almost pushed him into the sea.
The old me might have punched him, but this new me didn’t have it in me anymore.
“Sorry,” I muttered. “Reflexes.”
He ran his hand through his dark hair that reminded me of his brother’s.
“They’re lethal, that’s for sure,” he retorted dryly.
My gaze fell to his bandaged arm and while I wasn’t exactly sorry for what I’d done—after all, it was self-defense—I didn’t like to think we’d started things off on the wrong foot.
“How’s your arm?” I asked.
“Getting there.”
I cleared my throat uncomfortably. Being a bitch was so much easier. “Umm, I guess I should apologize.”
He let out a breath, amusement flickering across his expression. “You guess?”
I shrugged. “Well, it was self-defense.”
“Woman, I wasn’t attacking you.”
“But you and your brother kidnapped me,” I pointed out. “What was I supposed to think? That the two of you planned on taking me on a trip of a lifetime around the world?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Okay, okay. I’ll give you that.”
“Thanks.” We started to walk and I turned to look at him. “Do you know where the kitchen is?”
“I do. As a matter of fact, I’m on my way there.” He clomped his feet together and gave me a soldier’s salute. “My brother’s orders to show up for breakfast.”
The corners of my lips twisted with sarcasm. “And you strike me as the guy who always obeys orders.”
His green eyes twinkled. “You know it, sister.”
My step paused. “What did you call me?”
He shot me a look, not stopping. “Sister. You’re Giovanni’s wife, my sister-in-law.” He stopped and turned to look at me. “You know how it works, right?” I nodded, rolling my eyes. I wasn’t an idiot. “Is there a problem with me calling you that?”
I pretended to think about the decision before responding. “No.”
We walked in silence until something amazing filtered into my nose. The clatter of metal and utensils signaled we were close to the kitchen and once we stepped in, my brows shot up.
Romeo sauntered in, making his way to the coffee machine. “Hey, bro. I see you’re on your cooking kick again.”
“I’m also in my shut-my-little-brother’s-mouth kick too.”
Romeo didn’t seem fazed. “You know that doesn’t work with me. It only makes me want to talk more.”
“I honestly don’t know why you and Marissa don’t get along better,” Giovanni muttered, moving around the kitchen with surgical precision while I wondered who Marissa was. I certainly didn’t want a repeat of my last marriage.
“Because she always tries to upstage me.”
I stood in the doorway, feeling out of place but also fascinated with the dynamics of their relationship. Louisa and I were close, but it was always about sticking together and keeping out of our mother’s way.
Giovanni held a knife, slicing with efficiency I didn’t know existed. There was something sexy about seeing him move in the kitchen, and it had nothing to do with his black jeans that hugged his ass perfectly or the white T-shirt that revealed his bulging biceps and veiny forearms.
He paused, his eyes snapping to mine, finally realizing I was standing there. He flashed me the most dazzling smile as he dragged his gaze over me.
It didn’t matter that I wore a plain white dress with a black belt and black flats. The way he looked at me, you’d think I put on the sexiest outfit on this planet, and dammit, I kind of liked being looked at that way.
“Okay, you two,” Romeo interrupted the moment. “I feel dirty watching you stare at each other. Let’s try to salvage my innocence.”
“You were born with dirty thoughts,” Giovanni retorted, his eyes never wavering from me. “Wife, will you do me the honor of sitting next to me?”
I stepped into the kitchen and he extended his hand. I took it and he gallantly raised it to his lips, pressing a kiss to it before whirling me through the kitchen. His strong hands gripped me, my feet following his lead of their own accord.
“You’re a natural at dancing,” he said, smiling.
“I had a good teacher.”
“Jesus Christ,” Romeo muttered. “It’s a good thing I haven’t eaten yet or I’d puke it all up right now.”
Giovanni ignored him and pulled out a seat for me.
“Don’t mind Romeo,” he said, pecking me on the cheek as I took the offered chair. “He’s just jealous because he doesn’t have a dance partner.”
“We could always kidnap a girl for him,” I offered jokingly.
Romeo smirked. “I knew I liked her.”
“Despite the fact I almost killed you?”
He shrugged dismissively. “Meh. It’s just a scratch.”
I smiled incredulously. “Good to know you’re so forgiving.”
He waved his hand. “I don’t ask for much. Just women, booze, baseball and”—he glared at Giovanni—“food. I’m starving.”
“Don’t start whining or I’ll make you wait until we get to Key West to eat.”
“We’re going to Key West?” I asked, surprised.
Giovanni turned back to the stove and resumed cooking before he answered. “We are, and I have a little surprise for you.”
Before I could ask, Romeo chimed in, “Oh, do tell. I love surprises.”
“The surprise is for my wife,” Giovanni answered, grinning. “You, Romeo, will watch the boat for us.”
He grunted, but my skin heated as something in my chest tightened and my pulse beat a little quicker.
Was this how my sister felt with Kingston? I never understood their connection, but I was slowly starting to.
It’d been almost a month since I’d been taken from Venezuela, but it felt like a whole lifetime ago. I glanced at my brother-in-law, who divided his time between Giovanni and staring at something on his phone.
The two started to discuss sports and business when Romeo jumped to his feet.
“Shit, where are my manners? I didn’t even offer you coffee.” He went to stand in front of the fancy coffee machine, maneuvering it until it produced a full cup, then brought it to me.
“One sugar or two?” I shook my head and his eyes widened. “What? How’re you that sweet without sugar?”
“Don’t flirt with my wife, stronzo,” Giovanni warned as he set the table. I debated helping, but the kitchen wasn’t exactly my area of expertise. I could shoot to kill, but not set the table. I could stab a person precisely enough they’d bleed out slowly and painfully, but I couldn’t even boil water properly.
I lowered my eyes and my gaze caught on my missing pinky. They blurred with tears and I blinked furiously, willing them to go away.
Suddenly, a big hand covered mine, the missing finger hidden from my sight.
I couldn’t fall apart now. Not here. Not in front of Giovanni again. Not in front of Romeo.
Unable to find my voice, I let silence dominate the room. The scratch of the chair against the floorboards, the footsteps fading away, until all I could hear was Giovanni’s and my breaths.
“You okay?” I squeezed my eyes shut, but then he cupped my face, stroking my cheek with his thumb as he lifted my head to see my eyes. “Talk to me.”
“It’s stupid,” I choked.
“If it’s upsetting you, it’s not. Is it Romeo?” I shook my head. “You don’t want to go to Key West?”
“I do.”
My vision blurred at the edges and I silently cursed the stupid emotions. I wasn’t a crier; I was a fighter. Maybe I hadn’t shed enough tears in my lifetime and now it was catching up to me.
“Then what, wildflower?”
“It’s stupid,” I repeated.
His jaw went rigid, but as he stroked my hair back from my face, his motions were gentle and careful.
“Seeing you with your brother…” I swallowed, looking away. “It made me…”
“You’re missing your sister.” I nodded, releasing a shaky breath. “She’s only a phone call away, Lia.”
“But what do I say?”
“That you miss her.”
I bit my bottom lip, tasting copper on my tongue.
“But I’m also mad.” He studied me, waiting for me to continue, and I inhaled a deep breath before releasing it. “I’m mad that I tried to save her and she didn’t come back for me. Neither of them did.”
I trailed off and Giovanni urged, “What do you mean?”
I shuddered in his arms. “I cut my finger off and addressed it to Kingston, yet he didn’t come for me. I thought they would come looking for me. I took Louisa’s place all those years ago; I married Santiago, for God’s sake. I went to hell and back for her and they… they’ve forgotten me.”
“Nobody could ever forget you, Lia.”
“Maybe, but I don’t think it’s for good reason,” I murmured. “You’ve got yourself damaged goods. A missing finger. Tainted morals. A woman so wrapped up in sins that redemption is impossible.”
“Fuck, it isn’t.” He sounded convinced. “Do you think I’m damaged? I have a scar, do you think any less of me?”
I narrowed my eyes on him. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re almost perfect.”
His lips twitch. “Almost, huh?”
“Too big of a compliment will make your head explode,” I grumbled. “God, you must think I’m pathetic.”
“No, I don’t,” he growled, lifting my hands to his lips, then kissing every finger, including what was left of the one I cut off. “You’re the furthest from pathetic I’ve ever seen. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. A fighter. A survivor. My wife.” Our eyes locked, drowning in each other’s darkness. “You know what my biggest regret is?”
I shook my head.
“Not stealing you from my uncle eight years ago. Since that day, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. You put a spell on me.” He let out a sardonic breath. “I know you don’t remember?—”
“I remember you.”
He stilled. “You do?”
“Not from the church,” I murmured. “But I remember you walking in on me when I was sitting in Santiago’s office.”
The corners of his lips lifted. “Obviously I didn’t leave a remarkable impression.”
I sighed.
“I was so worried about surviving Santiago that I wouldn’t remember God himself if I met him.” Lifting my hand to the scar on his eye, I asked, “Did Santiago give this to you?”
“Ironically, no.”
“Who was it?” I demanded. “If they’re alive, I can kill them.”
He barked out a laugh, dark and devilish. “I believe you would, but in this instance, the scar was a product of me lying and protecting my sister and her friend. No need to kill anyone.”
I nodded somberly. “But if you need it, the offer still stands.”
Romeo sauntered back in, announcing he’d faint if he didn’t get some food, and our conversation ceased.
Several hours later, we were anchored off the coast of Key West and the moment we disembarked, the surprise waited for us in the parking lot.
A shiny red Jeep with the top down, and all bells and whistles. I trailed the length of the car, feeling the smooth surface under my fingers.
“What do you think?” Giovanni asked.
“I like the Jeep,” I told him. “Although, I pegged you as a man who prefers sports cars.”
“They’re not exactly the best cars for teaching and your safety is my priority.” His eyes coasted down my body, leaving a trail of sparks in their wake. “Now get behind the wheel.”
He followed close behind me and opened the door, signaling for me to climb in. The minute I was in the driver seat, he came around, sliding into the passenger seat.
“Okay, first thing: start the car with the key in the ignition, then check your mirrors.” I leaned back a little so I wasn’t right up on the steering wheel, my back pressed against the seat. My eyes darted right then left. “Don’t forget the rearview mirror.”
I flicked a glance at it and said, “All good.”
“Good. Place your hands on the wheel,” he instructed. “Imagine it’s like a clock and your hands should be at ten and two.”
I nodded, my belly somersaulting.
“Relax.”
I swallowed. “I’m relaxed. Just tell me what to do next.”
“Okay, there are two pedals. Left one is the brake. Right one is the gas. Press the left one and shift the car into drive.”
My right hand settled on the gear shift, moving it into position, and my fingers gripped the steering wheel. I shifted my legs, following his instructions, when suddenly the car purred to life.
“You’re going to pull onto the street, just to the right.” He followed up with another instruction when the car jerked forward. “Not too much gas at first, okay?”
I nodded, moving my foot off the left pedal and onto the right one. The engine instantly revved and I jumped in my seat, letting up off the pedal.
He chuckled and I glared at him. “Are you laughing at me?”
“No, never at you.” He lifted both hands up in the air. “Okay, okay, let’s try this again.”
Uncertainty slid down my back. “Maybe I’m not meant to drive.”
I hated feeling useless and insecure. It made me want to lash out.
All these emotions were spiraling out of control, and it felt like I was going to drown in them. Maybe years of suppressing them was catching up to me.
“Liana, look at me.” The tight space in the car seemed to be closing in on me. A tremor started in my hands and spread. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. “ Look at me .” I turned my profile to him, meeting his determined gaze. “If I could teach Marissa how to drive, I know you’ll get it in no time.”
My heart stilled in an unnatural way at the thought of this man with another woman.
“Who’s Marissa?” I asked, my voice frigid enough to plunge the humid Florida heat into below-freezing digits.
“My sister.”
“Oh.”
For the first time in my life, I felt… stupid. Silly. It was a first for me. Thankfully, Giovanni either didn’t notice it or he let it slide.
“Okay, give it some gas again,” he suggested. “Slowly.”
I followed the instructions. A little more gas, and I felt the tires rotate the asphalt underneath. I gripped the wheel so hard my knuckles turned white.
“Turn right here.”
I turned the wheel in that direction, then quickly straightened the wheel back to make sure I stayed in my lane.
“You’re doing good.” I smiled. No, I beamed like the spotlight with the highest watt lightbulb. “You’re a natural at this,” he praised.
My smile dimmed, a memory flashing in my mind.
“Good job, Liana.” My mother beamed. “Snap his neck and victory is yours.”
I ignored the guilt inside me. This wasn’t exactly an innocent man. He’d just delivered trafficked bodies to the compound, but being one short—because he had repulsive urges—my mother wanted to teach every other delivery man a lesson.
You damaged merchandise, you died.
Still straddling the man’s body, his face downward in the sand, I grabbed his head and in one move, I snapped his neck.
“You’re a natural, Liana. I’m so proud of you.”
The tire bounced over the curb and startled me back to the present.
“Oh, shit! I’m sorry.” I turned the wheel left, taking us back onto the road and in the lane.
I was embarrassed and frustrated, accustomed to striving for perfection. I didn’t want to make a fool out of myself in front of him.
“It’s okay,” he soothed. “It’s just a little bump. The car and the curb can take it.”
“Okay,” I said, blowing out a long, slow breath.
I moved the steering wheel, swerving the car side to side to keep in my lane, then sat up straighter, my shoulders relaxing. Pushing down on the gas, the car picked up pace, making my body jerk slightly. Instinctively, I gripped the wheel harder and didn’t blink for a second as I tried to concentrate.
The engine roared, accelerating under me as the car sped down the Overseas Highway of the Florida Keys, crystal blue water on both sides stretching as far as the eye could see.
I kept the wheel positioned in my lane, feeling the car race across the pavement in the rhythm of my heartbeat.
“You’re doing it,” he whispered. The car rumbled under my feet, making my heart leap in my chest. “I’m so proud of you.”
I broke out in a smile, basking in his praise.
“Can we go faster?” I asked.
“You tell me. You’re the driver.” He smiled, leaning back and folding his arms. “Should we put on some music?”
“Sure.”
“What do you like?”
I thought about it for a moment. “Well, I like Sarah McLachlan for my mellow moods.” He cocked a brow. “And Eminem when I…”
“When you?” He encouraged me to finish my statement.
I blushed. “When I’m hyped up or angry.”
“Strong emotions then.” I nodded, relaxing into my seat even though my heart was still beating hard with the speed. “Eminem it is.”
He picked a playlist and turned on his stereo. “Love The Way You Lie” started playing and I bit my bottom lip, butterflies fluttering in the pit of my stomach.
My blood raced, and for the first time in a long time, I felt free. I knew it was an illusion, but it felt beautiful. Amazing.
I found the window button on the door and pressed on it, the windows rolling down with a soft buzz, the cool air whipping through my hair as the music pounded. I turned my head toward him to see him smiling.
I punched the gas, charging down the road, and for the first time ever, I threw my head in the wind and laughed.
Loudly. Freely. Happily.