Chapter Five
SHAY
The mall is alive with people.
I’ve been here for just shy of an hour, and in that time, I’ve gotten more than a few nasty looks for wearing pajamas to the mall.
When we discussed what was supposed to happen on the way here, I expected Rocco to join me on this shopping trip.
Instead, he handed me his credit card and told me to head in while he waited in the car.
I appreciate the freedom, but it’s foolish on his part.
The second I step inside, I start devising my escape plan.
At first, I thought I’d go to a mall cop, ask for help, and give them a rundown of the situation, but Rocco’s insistence that we’re dealing with the mafia has me change plans.
The chance that Vincent Lombardi has moles in the police force is higher than I care to admit.
To buy more time to devise a plan, I go to the shops and buy a few different outfits.
I get the dress meant for tonight first, so it will ping on Rocco’s phone.
After that, I go to a few more stores, buying casual wear.
I even get a toothbrush and a few other necessary items. Every purchase notification will make this look believable.
But these items aren’t to survive in the home of the mafia’s muscle. They’re for my time on the run while I figure shit out.
When I have everything I need to hide out for extended periods of time, I make my move.
It’s the oldest trick in the book; I run as fast as I can.
I sprint through the mall seeing a few more sour faces.
I run out of a different door to the one Rocco dropped me off at.
The warm afternoon sun hits my skin and fresh air fills my lungs.
For the first time since Vincent Lombardi came to my house, I can breathe.
But I’m not safe, not yet. I won’t be until I’m as far away from this parking lot as possible. I run and run, with adrenaline guiding me further.
Feet, don’t let me down now.
***
ROCCO
A man my size disappearing into a crowd should be impossible. Yet, after years of concealing myself for Vincent Lombardi’s odd jobs, I’ve gotten good at it.
I gave Shay her space because she needs time to work through the horrible reality that’s been forced onto her. But, although I gave her the illusion of kindness by letting her go into the mall alone, it’s also a test. I need to see if I can trust her.
And the way she breaks into a sprint gives me my answer. I can’t blame her for running. If I was in her position, I’d do the same. Once upon a time, I had the same idea. Get away from Vincent Lombardi by any means necessary.
But, I learned early that he isn’t a man I dare cross. If I tried to run, he would follow. He’d hunt me down to the ends of the earth. He’ll do the same to Shay if she manages to get very far.
With a sigh, I let her go. A monster of a man chasing a poor girl through a mall? There’d be cops all over the place before I have a chance to get her out safely.
I get back to my car and start the engine. At least I know I’ll have to keep a closer eye on her, now.
***
SHAY
I didn’t stop at the bus stop at the mall, opting for one a few blocks over.
It’s been twenty minutes since I made a break for it, and Rocco will notice the lack of purchases or my appearance back at his car.
A small group of people are hanging around the stop. They’re playing on their phones, oblivious to the world around them. I duck behind a group of them, trying to stay hidden from the road in case Rocco’s on the move.
In the distance, I see the bus approaching. It’s so close now, that I can almost reach out and touch my getaway. It pulls over to the side, and the door swings open. The crowd starts shuffling in, but before it’s my turn, a car pulls up behind the bus.
My stomach instantly drops. It’s Rocco’s unmistakable maroon Ford Mustang from the seventies, with a black eagle painted across the hood. Rocco doesn’t turn to look at me. He stares straight ahead while his pearly white teeth chew into the nail of his thumb.
My escape is so close. All I need to do is ignore him and get on this bus. He’ll follow, but I can think of a way out of this—
What am I doing? Escape is out of the question. Rocco won’t let up until he’s got me back.
Fuck.
With a sigh, I walk over to his car. I throw the bags from my shopping trip into the trunk and get in next to him. We share no words as we get back on the road and make our way to his apartment.
I should be furious. He found me before I got away. I should be pissed, scared, and sad. I’m not. I’m almost relieved that my plan failed. If he managed to get me so easily, how far would I have gotten before Vincent Lombardi’s men found me?
But is that the reason I’m happy?
Rocco’s been good to me from the start. He’s done everything he can to help me. Am I actually considering this as a good thing? Stockholm Syndrome has hit early. I chuckle at the stupid thought, but it doesn’t elicit a reaction from Rocco.
We get back to his apartment building, and make our way upstairs.
“Look, I’m sorry okay. But can you blame me?”
Rocco drops my shopping bags, takes me by the wrist, and pulls me into the kitchen.
“I thought I could trust you,” he says.
“What did you expect? I’m a prisoner. Running was my only option.”
“You aren’t a prisoner, Shay. I’m not going to hold you here. You can come and go as you please, but for your own safety, you have to come back.” His hands lower to his belt, and he removes it with slow, methodical intent. “Bend over the counter.”
“What?” I take a step back.
“You ran from me.” His voice is calm, but there’s tension beneath it. “Do you have any idea what could’ve happened to you?”
“I wasn’t exactly spoiled for options.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that there have to be consequences for this.”
I stare at him in disbelief. “You cannot be serious.”
His expression hardens, though guilt still flickers in his eyes. “Bend over the counter, Shay.”
He shakes his head, but I can see the pain in his eyes for what he is about to do.
“What are you going to do to me?”
“Spank you.” No confidence coats his words.
I burst out into a fit of laughter. “No, you’re not.”
“I am. I have to. You crossed a line. You’re lucky I’m the one who found you. Don’t make this harder than it already is.”
What the fuck? I don’t even know how to respond. I can see his insistence on the spanking is tearing him up. With the emotion flooding his face, I can’t tell how far he’s willing to take this. He needs to make this power play, to remind me of where I am and the consequences for disobedience.
If not him, it could’ve been Vincent. I could be in real danger, and not in the home of someone who’s shown me kindness.
With a groan, I yield and bend over the counter.
Rocco snaps the belt back and brings it down against my ass. I was wrong to assume a gentle tap. Leather strikes my skin, and it instantly burns. I yelp on impact and sink my teeth into my lower lip to suppress a scream.
He does it again. I throw myself into the counter on the second blow, trying to mitigate the impact.
I should’ve hated that, right? Being spanked as an adult… Why did it send a rush of heat between my legs?
“I’m so sorry, Shay,” his voice is quivering. “I’m so sorry I had to do that.”
He drops to one knee and wraps his arms around my waist.
“I didn’t want to.” His voice nearly cracks. “I didn’t want to hurt you.” He places a gentle kiss on my tender skin. “But I need you to understand how dangerous these people are. I want to protect you.”
A twisted part of me almost wants him to deliver another blow. One final spank, to send me over the edge.
Holy shit, I must be fucked in the head.
Rocco gets back to his feet and draws the belt back through the loops of his black slacks.
“I need to get ready for tonight,” I say in a husky whisper, practically breathless.
“Yes, of course.” Rocco takes a few steps back. He’s fidgeting with his hands, unable to keep them steady. “I’ll be ready when you are.” He retreats to the second bedroom he’s furnished as an office.
I step into the shower, contemplating how foolish I am for enjoying my punishment.