Chapter 19
CHAPTER
NINETEEN
MONSTERS EVERYWHERE
MINDY
I wake up slowly, feeling a stiffness in my neck and shoulders from lying on the hard concrete. I must’ve cried myself to sleep. Either that, or I passed out from the nauseating pain in my head. I’m still in the basement, but I don’t hear anyone walking above me.
I don’t know what Talia plans on doing with me, but hopefully, Luca knows I’m missing by now. I know he would search the earth for me, even though I have no idea how he would find me. I can only keep faith that he will.
I try to keep my thoughts from spiraling, but it’s hard, so I focus on finding a way out of here. I creep around looking for a door or a bigger window, but I don’t see anything. I let out a frustrated breath, but when I hear a faint noise, I go still, straining to listen.
What is that? Are those sirens?
I don’t want to get too excited because Talia was talking to a dirty cop, so there’s no telling what those sirens are. I hold my breath waiting to hear anything, and that’s when I smell it. SMOKE!
“Is this place on fire! Fuck! Help! Somebody help me!” I scream, jumping up and down, trying to reach the window.
I decide to go up the stairs and to the door, hoping Talia isn’t still here.
I rush up, almost falling when a weak stair bends and creaks.
I take my time going up the rest until I reach the door.
I try twisting the knob, but it doesn’t move.
I figured the door would be locked, but I had to at least try.
I bang on the door screaming, but there’s no response.
So, I make my way back down the stairs, looking around for something I could possibly stand on to reach the window, when I see a large trunk.
The trunk has a padlock on the outside, so I can’t look inside it, but it’s not bolted down, so I try pushing it.
It scoots a little, so I put all my strength into moving it under the window.
The smoke smell is getting stronger, and I’m out of breath from trying to move the heavy ass trunk, but I refuse to die in this basement.
I manage to get the trunk far enough under the window that I can reach it.
It’s too small for me to squeeze through, but if I bang on it hard enough, maybe it will break, and someone will hear me.
I beat on the window as hard as I can, but it doesn’t break.
I don’t see anyone, but the sirens are loud.
Finally, I hear voices, and I start screaming at the top of my lungs.
“Hey, there’s somebody in here! Ma’am, are you okay?” The fireman asks.
“No, somebody kidnapped me, and I’m trapped in here. Please don’t let me die in here! Please get me out!” I sob, begging for his help.
“Try to stay calm. Someone is on the way.” The fireman takes off.
I want to shout at him to stay with me, but I know he’s just doing his job.
The tears are flowing freely down my face, but I won’t feel the relief until I’m out of this damn basement.
Now that I know that help is here. I once again climb the rickety stairs to the locked door.
I beat against it again, screaming even louder for help.
“Ma’am, stand back from the door. We’re going to have to force it open.”
I waste no time moving back. There’s a large bang against the door, and I step back a little further.
The last thing I need is to go flying down these stairs and break my damn neck.
I look back and gently get on the stairs.
There are a few more hard bangs when the door finally gives and comes flying open.
“Are you Mindy Stewart?”
“Ye-yes, I’m Mindy.”
“We found her! Please come this way, ma’am.”
The fireman sticks out his hand, and I don’t hesitate in taking it. I exhale, finally able to breathe after being locked in a basement for who knows how long.
The fireman wraps a blanket around my shoulders as he leads me outside.
I see smoke coming from the side of the house, but I can’t see what’s on fire.
There are flashing lights, an ambulance, a fire truck, and a few people wearing robes and pajamas.
But what makes me the most uneasy are the police cars.
When I see a crying Talia handcuffed in the back of one of the police cruisers, I relax slightly. However, that detective is nowhere to be found. I won’t be completely comfortable until they find her.
“Mindy! Thank god. Move the fuck out my way so I can get to my woman,” Luca’s voice booms over all the noise.
“Luca! Oh my god!” I rush to Luca, and he envelops me in a tight hug.
The sobs make my body shake, but I’m so happy that he’s here that I can’t stop crying. I instantly have a feeling of relief being in his arms. It’s a feeling like no other.
“Shhh, baby. It’s okay. I’m here, Coniglia . I’m here,” Luca whispers as he rocks me side to side.
“Mr. Dalonzo, you made it here awfully fast.” The male cop’s tone is dripping with contention.
“I’ve been searching for my fiancé for almost twenty-four hours.
You don’t think that as soon as she was found that I would show up.
Your department didn’t take me seriously when I reported her missing after her bodyguard was shot.
Then, she is found at your partner’s house.
The same partner who has been threatening and harassing me. You will be hearing from my lawyer.”
Luca leads me to an SUV where Vinny is waiting and helps me inside. I’m completely exhausted, but I know this situation is far from over.
“Did you say Jules was shot? Is— is he alive?” I ask hesitantly.
“He’s fine, Coniglia. Don’t worry about him. How are you? I’m so sorry for getting you caught up in this shit. I’m supposed to protect you.”
I shake my head in disagreement. “No, this wasn’t just about you. Talia did this for Ross. She’s in a relationship with him.” I try not to sound hurt, but the truth is in my tone.
“I know, Coniglia . I found out about them after you were taken. If I had known, I would’ve never allowed that woman to get near you.”
“It’s not your fault, Luc. I just want this to be over.”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’ll take care of everything. Starting with getting you checked out. Every time I see the blood on you, I want to kill somebody.”
“Don’t go off on a rampage yet. I need to be in your arms to feel safe.”
“You will always be safe with me. My rampage can wait until tomorrow.”
I smile as I snuggle into Luca’s side, but the seriousness of his face tells me that he isn’t joking about the rampage. I close my eyes and try to relax, but I can’t help but think about everything I learned today. My heart is once again aching.
My heartbreak isn’t from finding out about Ross and Talia because they deserve each other. I’m hurt because I had no idea that Talia was also a monster. There are monsters everywhere, and I didn’t even realize it.
After being checked out by Dr. Walters, he once again cleared me with an order to relax and rest. The poor man probably thinks Luca is an abusive lunatic. Well, I mean, he is a lunatic, but at least he isn’t abusive.
I didn’t even try to explain what happened.
It would sound like a fantasy, some movie that should be on TV.
I guess my life right now should be a featured Saturday night film.
I sigh just thinking about it. Luca told me that he not only contacted the police but also the news stations.
So, calling my parents and explaining what happened was an experience that I never want to relive.
After my Mama threatened to come up here and kick Talia’s ass, and my Daddy calling the entire family to let them know that Ross is to be shot on sight, it took Luca getting on the phone to calm them down.
It’s not exactly the way I wanted them to meet, but beggars can’t be choosers. On top of everything that’s going on, my entire family will be coming to Dallas in the next few days. I am thankful to have their support, but damn, I don’t want to face them.
I know I shouldn’t feel ashamed, but my terrible decisions led me here. First, I picked Ross, then I kept Talia as a friend, then I chose not to tell my family about my fucked up marriage. Now, it’s all coming down on me.
“Hey, baby. Please relax. I told you I would take care of everything. We have plenty of room here at the house; they’ll be comfortable. I promise.”
Luca’s gray eyes are laced with sincerity, and my heart heals a little by just looking at him. Even with all the monsters around me, I feel so cherished by Luca. He may be scary to everyone else, but to me, he’s the man I love.
“It’s not that,” I say, trying not to dwell on my parents when a thought crossed my mind. “What happened to Detective Wiley? I saw Talia in handcuffs, but not the detective.”
“Don’t worry about that detective, Coniglia .”
“But she’s Talia’s cousin. They’re in cahoots together because of some informant she was sleeping with. I heard them talking about it.”
“Baby, everything will work itself out. I promise, so please stop worrying.” Luca kisses my lips sweetly.
When I pull back, frowning, he takes his fingers and traces the grooves on my forehead. His hand goes to the back of my neck, and he pulls me to him. Luca kisses my forehead, my nose, and both my cheeks before he moves to my lips. He kisses me slow and sensual.
I can’t help the moan I let out, opening my mouth to let him in. Luca takes full advantage and slips his tongue inside. I lose myself in our kiss. Our lips smashing together and our groans of arousal were the only sounds in the bedroom.
“Luca, please.” I didn’t even know what I was begging for, but Luca does.
He strips off my clothes with an expertise that I appreciate.
Before I can blink, his clothes join mine on the floor.
Luca climbs up my body like a panther stalking its prey.
His lean, muscled body is tight with excitement.
I run my hands down his chest and abs before sliding them down to his thick dick.
My mouth waters just remembering what he tastes like. This man is the epitome of sexiness. I can’t believe he’s mine, but he is, and I can’t wait to take advantage of him.
I slide my palm up and down his thickening length. Luca’s breath comes out faster and faster, and his eyes darken with lust that surrounds us both. I lick my lips, then his neck. I suck lightly before moving to his chest.
Luca hovers over me, letting me have my way with his beautiful body.
I move him so he’s lying on his back, and it’s my turn to hover over him.
I kiss down his torso until I reach his hard dick.
I moan, taking his long, thick member into my mouth.
I slurp and gag, enjoying the feel and the taste of my man.
Luca lets out a low growl before thrusting his hips up. He runs his fingers through my hair and whispers in Italian. I don’t know what he’s saying, but it sounds sexy as hell. I’m so turned on that my arousal drips down my thighs.
“ Coniglia, your mouth is my second favorite place on earth. Your pussy is my first, and I need it right now.”
Luca snatches me off his dick and has me on my back before I can complain. He thrusts into me, rocking my body with his passion. I moan loudly as my body adjusts to his. We move in unison, our bodies becoming one.
“You feel so fucking good,” I moan, thrusting my hips upward to meet Luca’s.
His hand goes around my neck, and he slightly tightens his hold. Luca pumps get deeper and deeper until my eyes cross. He spreads my legs with his right hand while his left stays on my throat.
“Don’t close your eyes. Look at me. Watch your man fuck your sweet pussy. Look at us. You’re so fucking beautiful. Sei cosi dolce. Ti amo tanto.”
“Don’t stop. Fuck me harder! Shit… yes baby, yes!” I moan.
My legs begin shaking with my orgasm. I feel the ecstasy building from the bottom of my belly before it spreads out like a flower blooming. Before long, my body feels as if it is floating on a cloud.
“You cumming, baby. I can feel that sweet pussy fluttering. Fuck yes! I’m about to cum too. You feel how hard I am, Coniglia . Do you? Do you feel how much I love you?” Luca’s questions are growled, and the sound is so fucking sexy that I begin cumming again.
“Oh my gawd!” I scream, my entire body convulsing.
“Fuck yes!” Luca stills, holding his heavy body on top of mine.
This is the heaven I always dreamt of. A man who makes love to me like I’m his forever. A man who treats me like a queen. A man like Luca Dalonzo.