25. Aurora
Chapter 25
Aurora
M y body aches, but there’s a lightness to my mood that hasn't been there in a very long time. I throw an arm over my eyes, not bothering to hold back the giddy smile that breaks free and stretches over my face. It felt so good to talk to someone about my mom, and Romeo listened attentively, his touch soothing me even when I got upset.
And then there’s what happened in the chair. Heat engulfs my body and I wriggle under the covers, desperate for his touch. I know I should be putting walls up between us, but last night felt different .
Doesn’t change the fact that he kidnapped you.
Right, and it probably won’t stop him from killing me, but for a moment last night, I forgot who he is and how we met. I know we don’t have a future, but at least for the time I’m here, there can be peace between us and I can enjoy how my body explodes under his touch.
Resolute in my decision, I throw back the covers and swing my legs over the edge of the bed. I’m mid-stride toward the bathroom when my eyes land on the open bedroom door. My brows draw down, and I tilt my head as my eyes dart around the room.
This can’t be happening.
Sucking in a breath, I hold it as I tiptoe toward the door. Is this a trap? I walk out that door and get shot? My hand goes to my stomach, urging the nerves bubbling away under the surface to calm down. Okay, so maybe I don’t go out and I divert back to the bathroom and get ready for the day.
“You’re up.”
My heart slams against my rib cage, and I spin toward Romeo. He’s leaning on the doorjamb, a towel wrapped around his waist and another around his neck, catching droplets of water from his wet hair. Steam billows out of the bathroom and around him. The only hint of danger emanating from him are the dark tattoos covering his upper body.
Swallowing thickly, I feign innocence and push the door closed before replying, “Yes. Just got up.” The sound of the latch falling into place ricochets around the room.
Romeo quirks a brow, pushing away from the frame and walking toward me.
It was a test.
I knew it and I still failed, miserably. God, what an idiot . I should have known better. He comes to a stop in front of me, and I hold his stare. It feels like it takes the force of my entire body to keep my brows low and mask my surprise when he cups my cheek. He dips his head, capturing my lips with his own before sliding his other hand around my waist and pulling me against his body.
Instinctively, I stand on my toes, melting into him as I wrap my arms around his neck. The hardness of his cock presses into my stomach and I moan against his mouth.
Romeo pulls away, his gaze heated when he rests his forehead on mine. “ Cristo , what I wouldn’t give to stay in here with you all day.”
I dart my tongue out to wet my lips. I know it’s not right or normal that he can turn me on so quickly, or that he can say things like that and I don’t immediately feel terror at the prospect. What’s worse is that it sounds like heaven to spend the day with him and get lost in each other.
He continues, grabbing my ass with one hand and pulling me into him. “You can move around the house and gardens, but if you try to escape, bellissima, Massimo’s men have been instructed to shoot you on sight. Inteso ?”
I nod, my mind racing in sync with my heart.
“Good.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear before releasing me and walking into the closet, as if what he’s said is completely normal.
I guess to him it might be. But is that it—I get some semblance of freedom so long as I don’t try to run? There has to be a catch. I look over my shoulder at the closed door, wanting to test if what he’s said is true. It’s calling to me, begging me to pull it open and cross the threshold.
Sucking in a breath, I blow it out slowly and force my body to relax. I’ll get ready for the day and then, if I find the door locked, I’ll know this has been some sort of cruel trick. If it’s still open, then I’ll use my time wisely, because as lost as I’m getting in Romeo Bianchi, he’s still my captor. He’ll still kill me without batting an eye when this is all over.
Thoughts of what lies beyond the door occupy my mind as I move around the room getting ready for the day. I’ve seen some of the house during my time here, but since that dinner, over a week ago, the only time I’ve left this room was to attend the gala.
Excitement thrums through my body and when I’m ready, I stand in front of the door, smoothing my sweaty palms down the front of my floral mini cami dress. I suck in a sharp breath before resting my hand on the doorknob. The metal feels cool in my heated palm and when I turn it, I huff out a sigh of relief before pulling the door open and peering into the hallway.
The coast is clear, but I still find myself creeping along the corridor, my back pressed to the wall like I don’t have permission to be here. When I come to a stop at the top of the stairs, I shake my head and exhale heavily. What am I doing? I don’t need to sneak around like I’m doing something I shouldn’t. If anything, it’s going to draw more attention to me if I come across somebody. Pushing my shoulders back, I stride down the hallway, stopping occasionally to test the handles of doors along the way. I stumble upon the library after five tries, my relief palpable when the door swung open.
I can only imagine what secrets must be hiding in this house if, after five rooms, the library is the only door unlocked. These men are dangerous and the one I share my bed with is the most dangerous of them all. I shouldn't forget that .
But they do have good taste in books. My fingers run over the spines neatly lined up on the shelves. The titles are in Italian, but the authors' names are not. It’s a collection of classics and there’s no mistaking the value. I pull a hardback edition of To Kill a Mockingbird off the shelf, turning the leather-bound book over in my hands.
“Are you lost?” an accented voice asks, and I yelp in surprise.
I turn to face the man, a nervous smile on my lips when I’m greeted by his stony face. He was at the dinner table last week. Something twists in my gut, and my smile drops. There’s a darkness to this guy, one that’s not entirely to do with the world he finds himself in. Carefully, I slide the book back onto the shelf and clasp my hands together behind my back.
“I, uh, Romeo said… I’m free. To go around the house at least.” Clearing my throat, I hold my hand out and take a step forward, my mouth tipping up at the corner. Maybe I’ve got him all wrong. “I’m Aurora.”
He looks me up and down, barely concealing his contempt before he grinds out, “The library is off-limits.”
I pull my hand back, looking around the room. It’s literally the only door that was open. How can it be off-limits? When my attention returns to him, his eyes narrow with impatience.
“Oh.” Walking around him, I head toward the door. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize. I’ll, uh, just get out of here, then.” Pausing on the threshold, I face him. “Are there any other rooms I should stay out of?”
“I suggest you keep your exploring to the ground floor and garden. Anything you stumble upon up here is likely to get you killed, Aurora.” His tone is cold and sends a shiver running down my spine.
With a jerky nod, I step out into the hallway, not bothering to close the door behind me. It’s only when I reach the top of the stairs that I look back. I don’t expect to find him watching me, his hand resting on the holstered gun at his hip in a silent threat. I fly down the stairs, his message chasing after me.
It’s only when I reach the bottom step and slip into the entertainment room that I allow myself to breathe. Every nerve ending in my body is alert and not in the way that it is whenever Romeo is near. These are firing on all cylinders with a desire to protect myself from harm.
Note to self: stay clear of him.
Slightly dazed and confused by the interaction, I stand in the middle of the room, my shoulders slumped and my brow furrowed. It’s only when the ringing in my ears has stopped and I’ve shaken off the disorientation of the conversation that I continue with my self-guided tour of the ground floor of the house.