Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Nico
The next morning, I run the perimeter of the compound hard, feet pounding against the gravel path. The sun is barely up, mist still clinging to the trees, I'm exhausted, but I push myself faster, trying to sweat her out of my system.
Eleonora.
That stubborn, infuriating brunette I kidnapped is like a persistent bug buzzing around my mind. No matter how fast I run or how hard I push my body, I can’t get her out.
All night I lay in bed knowing she was just one door away. I kept thinking about how close I came to kissing her on the balcony and in my office, how her lips parted, how her breath hitched, how badly I wanted to taste her, bite her, claim that smart mouth.
It would’ve been stupid. Reckless. I know.
I’m supposed to be thinking about how to force Massimo to meet my demands, not about getting between his daughter’s legs.
I round the final bend and slow as I reach the front yard. A group of my men are clustered together, talking in low voices. The second they see me, they break apart quickly.
“What’s going on?” I demand, chest still heaving from the run.
They part, revealing a massive bouquet of deep red roses sitting on the stone steps. Dozens of them.
I stop dead. “What the fuck are those doing here?”
One of my lieutenants, Enzo, steps forward and hands me a small white card. “These arrived this morning, Boss. Came with this.”
I snatch the card and rip it open:
Looking forward to reclaiming what is mine.
Signed in bold, arrogant script: Andrea Gallo.
“That fucker,” I growl under my breath, fury igniting in my veins.
I look up sharply. “How the hell did these get here? Who delivered them?”
I need to know how close they were to the mansion. Was it Gallo himself?
Enzo shakes his head. “They weren’t delivered to the mansion, Boss. I found them at your downtown office when I went to pick up the documents you asked for yesterday. The receptionist said they were dropped off early this morning. I brought them straight here.”
I exhale, some of the tension easing. At least my home hasn’t been compromised. Gallo is playing games, psychological warfare, trying to rattle me.
I crush the card in my fist. “Double the patrols. Secure every perimeter. I want eyes on every approach road.”
The men nod and scatter immediately.
“Get Marco,” I order Enzo. “Now.”
He hurries off.
I stare down at the blood-red roses, jaw clenched so tight it aches.
Matteo Gallo thinks he can intimidate me. He thinks he can take what’s mine.
He has no idea who he’s fucking with.
I walk back into the house, still buzzing with irritation, when I spot her.
Eleonora is standing by the tall window in the living area, arms loosely wrapped around herself as she stares out at the front yard.
Daniel must have let her out of the bedroom like I ordered before my run.
She’s wearing the tight black leggings that cling to her long legs and the curve of her ass like a second skin, paired with a simple white tank top that’s a little too snug across her breasts.
Her dark hair is loose and slightly messy, falling down her back.
Fuck.
I groan internally. Just what I need this morning.
She turns when she hears me, eyes flicking to the crushed card still in my hand.
“What are the roses for?” she asks.
I quirk a brow at her.
She rolls her eyes. “Okay, fine. I heard you and your men. They’re from Andrea.”
“Sherlock,” I mutter.
She rolls her eyes harder. “Shouldn’t you be figuring out how to fight him instead of being sarcastic with me?”
“Oh, I’m more than ready for Andrea,” I say, walking past her toward the kitchen. “You don’t need to worry your pretty little head about it.”
“I’m not worried,” she shoots back, following me. “Why would I waste any emotions on that?”
We enter the kitchen. As usual, Lea is already at the stove, humming while she cooks.
“Morning, Nico,” she says cheerfully, then glances at Eleonora. “Coffee?”
“Yes,” I answer, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge. I take a long swig, toss the empty bottle into the trash, and accept the steaming mug Lea hands me.
Eleonora is still trailing behind me like a shadow.
I turn on her. “What?”
She doesn’t back down. “Do you think Andrea will try to attack the mansion to get Sienna back?”
I smirk. “You’re asking an awful lot of questions for someone who claims she isn’t worried.”
As I head out of the kitchen with my coffee, she follows again.
I stop abruptly and face her. “Are you worried that when Andrea comes looking, he won’t find Sienna… and then he’ll discover your little stunt?”
She shrugs, completely unbothered. “No. I’m not worried.”
I pause, waiting.
“Because you won’t let him take me,” she finishes, looking me straight in the eyes.
Something tight and possessive twists in my chest. I kind of like that she has faith in me to keep her safe. Even if she shouldn’t.
I take a slow sip of coffee, studying her over the rim of the mug.
“You sure do think you’re important, don’t you?”
She tilts her head, a mocking little smile playing on her lips. “I do think I’m important. Having me is pretty central to whatever deal you’re trying to force with my father. Or are you telling me you’re not competent enough to handle Gallo?”
I should be offended. Instead, the challenge in her voice only makes the corner of my mouth twitch.
“You can’t be so sure of yourself,” I reply coolly. “I can always find another way to bend your father’s hand. You’re not as indispensable as you think, princess.”
I finish the last of my coffee and hand the empty mug to a passing maid without looking at her. Then I turn and head upstairs. Of course, she follows.
I stop halfway up the staircase and glance back at her. “Is there a reason you’re following me around like a lost puppy?”
Before she can answer, Marco’s voice echoes from the bottom of the stairs.
“Boss.”
I turn. As I pass Eleonora on the steps, I catch a whiff of her scent,. It hits me harder than it should. I grit my teeth and keep moving.
“Daniel,” I snap my fingers at him where he’s hovering nearby. “Eyes on her. Don’t fuck it up again.”
I don’t wait for his reply. Marco and I head straight into my office. The moment the door closes, he drops into the chair across from my desk.
“I heard about the roses,” he says.
“That bastard Gallo is trying to spook us,” I mutter, sitting down.
Marco nods. “We’ll be ready if and when he attacks.
I’m putting measures in place to make sure the house is breach proof.
Extra men on the docks as well. I also rerouted the next three shipments through the secondary channels like you wanted.
The Russians are getting restless about the delay, but they’ll wait. ”
“Good. Tell them patience is profitable.” I lean back. “What about the politicians we own? Any movement on the port authority?”
“Senator Hale is still in our pocket. He’s blocking the new inspection bills. But the Gallos are throwing money around downtown. We might need to remind a few people who really owns this city.”
I nod, already mentally noting who needs to be pressured next. “Do it quietly. No bodies unless necessary. We’re already dealing with enough heat.”
Marco studies me for a second. “You good?”
I drag a hand down my face. “Just handle it.”
He stands, but pauses at the door. “And the girl?”
I don’t answer. Because the truth is, I have no fucking idea what to do with Eleonora Caruso anymore.
All I know is that she’s under my roof, under my skin, and every second she’s here, she’s making me forget why I took her in the first place.
I finish the meeting with Marco and step out of the office, only to find Eleonora lingering near the top of the stairs. Daniel stands a respectful distance behind her, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.
She immediately falls into step beside me as I head down the hallway.
I stop outside my bedroom door and turn to her with a raised brow. “Again I ask, is there a reason you’re following me around?”
She doesn’t answer. She just stares at me with those dark, stubborn eyes.
Against every instinct screaming at me, I open my bedroom door and step inside. She follows without hesitation. The moment the door shuts behind her, the air in the room grows thicker.
I raise an eyebrow, waiting.
“Have you found Sienna?” she asks, her voice quieter than usual.
I tilt my head. “And why would I tell you that?”
Her expression shifts, real worry flickering across her face. Not for herself. For her sister. She’s scared Massimo or Gallo might find Sienna first. I can see it clear as day.
“Have you?”
“You’re becoming a real pain in the ass with all these questions,” I mutter. “Remind me again why you’re not locked in your own bedroom right now?”
She leans back against the wall, arms crossed, refusing to shrink. “I just want to know.”
“I’m not obliged to tell you anything.” I snap my fingers toward the adjoining door that connects our rooms. “Back to your bedroom. Now.”
She doesn’t move. Her gaze drifts to the closed door between our suites, then returns to me.
“What happens to me when this is all over?”
The question lands heavier than I expect.
I stare at her for a long moment, jaw tight. I could lie. I could threaten her. But for some reason, I don’t.
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly.
Right now, I really don’t. I should want to trade her. I should want to use her and discard her the second she stops being useful. Instead, the thought of handing her over to Gallo or back to her father twists something ugly in my chest.
She searches my face like she’s trying to decide whether I’m telling the truth.
I turn away before she can read too much.
“Get out of my room, Eleonora.”