27. Daniela
Leaving the helipad, we were met by armed soldiers who escorted us inside the guarded Sicilian mansion.
They led us to a deep burgundy salon directly off the reception hall where a huge stone fireplace covered one wall and a mahogany bar was topped with marble and cut crystal tumblers.
A middle-aged guy sat in a low-slung velvet armchair, waiting for us.
He stood immediately and introduced himself as the on-call doctor, which wouldn’t have been apparent given his beige chinos and fine knit pullover. He shook both of our hands, with a nervousness to his smile.
The way his mousy brown mustache had twitched, and his eyes darted over his shoulder to where the armed guards stood, told me this man wasn’t exactly invited.
Apparently, Tomás had arranged for his visit and told him two patients needed treatment.
I’d be flattered if I didn’t feel so weird about it.
Matheus made me go first, even though I demanded he should be examined before me. My injuries were visible whereas he could have had internal bleeding, or fuck knows what.
The doctor is very thorough in his assessment of my wrist. Pointing out the swelling and limited movement probably meant it was broken.
However, he couldn”t say for sure.
I’d need an x-ray at the hospital to confirm broken bones. It should heal quickly, though, and a few physical therapy sessions would make it fully functional again.
While he shines a light in my eyes to rule out concussion and tests my reflexes, Matheus” hawkish gaze burns into me.
The doctor manipulates my shoulder and I suck in through clenched teeth, biting back a few swear words. Matheus sits upright, clearly uncomfortable by my pained reaction.
I’ve already swallowed a couple of ibuprofens. They should do the trick in a few minutes.
Though I’m not immune to pain. I understand it fades eventually and taking medication is the quickest way to deal with it.
At least I wasn’t stabbed this time. That wound had stung like a bitch. It was ten times more annoying than a snapped bone. I got over it, and this would be no different.
I flinch again, hating another man being in my personal space with his hands on my body parts, albeit over my clothes.
“There doesn’t appear to be any other significant damage,” he assures me. “You’d know if you’d cracked a rib or had a brain contusion.”
“Okay. Thanks for bandaging my wrist.” I nod at the doctor and pull away so his gloved hand falls. “It’s his turn now.”
Matheus rises to his full height and rotates on the spot, turning clockwise.
“Nothing the good doctor can help with here. Just a couple of bruises, that’s all. Aside from that, I’m ready for action.”
He stalks towards me, a hint of humor in his voice.
Matheus’ eyes flash as if he’s about to say something else, but he stays quiet instead.
“You need to be checked over, Matheus,” I scold. “Were you hit in the head or punched in the ribs? Stuff like that can lead to internal bleeding and clots.”
He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, wetting his lips.
“I’m good. I promise. How about a bath?”
“What about your hand, sir?” The doctor asks. “I’ll take a look at it.”
Matheus makes a fist, his eyes full of fire. “It already scabbed over. Forget about it.”
The doctor shifts his weight in the fresh silence, his eyes darting from us to the armed guards in the doorway.
The way Matheus is eyeballing me, the poor man probably thinks I’m about to get mauled.
Unfortunately, there’s no escaping this small part of the Sicilian coast that’s guarded like a penitentiary. He’d have to wait for Matheus to give his men the order to send the doctor on his merry way.
Which I hope is soon since the unspoken heat between us could set the furniture alight. If Matheus launched himself at me right now, I’d be all over him in a heartbeat.
Clearing his throat, the doctor nods respectfully.
“Looks like we’re done here. I’d like to return to my home now.”
I can’t help wondering if the man was extracted from his surgery at gunpoint and threatened with his life before he was flown here.
“Thanks for your help, Doctor.” He catches the attention of a guard. “Pay him and have the paperwork filled out.”
The doctor frowns. “Paperwork?”
“Yeah, a contract signing over the blood of your first grandchild to the Souzas. That sort of thing.” Matheus chuckles when the doctor backs away. “Relax. I’m joking. Sign the NDA and pick up your cash on the way out the door.”
Matheus angles his torso and shakes the guy’s hand. Just as quickly, he takes mine and leads me from the room, leaving the poor doctor alone with a squad of armed men.
He’d be paid well and added to the Souza list of employees. Those are the facts. It’s to be expected.
I’d be a liar if I said Blanco was different. This is the world I’d slotted myself into long before I joined The Covenant.
Kidnapping professionals isn’t alien to me and I won’t get my panties in a twist over the doctor”s safety. If he’s smart, he’d keep his mouth shut and enjoy the cash his loyalty earns.
It’s that straightforward.
Together we climb the stairs in silence and when we reach the landing, his eyes are on me again.
“Sooo…” He drags out the word. “Are you and Tommy friends now?”
“Pffft…” I roll my eyes. “Definitely not friends. Let’s just say I’m learning to tolerate him for your benefit.”
“Did you two talk or something after you got back from Colombia?”
I stop breathing for a second. Warmth spreads to my cheeks the longer he stares. There can’t be any secrets between us.
Although, if he found out how cruel his brother had been—how they’d tricked me—almost broke me, he’d go nuts. I don’t see the point in telling tales now all our cards are on the table.
“Sort of.” I shrug.
He opens the door to his bedroom and gestures for me to enter first.
“Your brothers had to make sure we were all on the same page. You know, with me being an agent and a Blanco—and into you.”
I move inside his suite, noting the extra-large bed we’d played in the night before is made. Piles of brand-new, folded clothes sit on top of the comforter and boot boxes are stacked up on the floor.
Clearly, Tomás wasn’t the only one who had phoned ahead.
He prowls up behind me and places his hands on my hips.
“Keep talking.”
“Tomás told me something important…something that changed how I see things.”
His breath is warm on top of my head and his fingers skate to the button of my leather pants.
“How you see him?”
I lean back, aware of his bare chest and how everything inside me is hotter.
“Your brother left the door to the barn open on purpose. He distracted Elias and his men while I escaped, Mat. Tomás is the reason I survived.”
I swallow, my throat dry and my eyes gritty. Matheus unhands my body and positions himself in front of me. He blinks slowly, trying to process what I just said.
His eyes aren’t quite chestnut colored in this light. They’re richer, a dark chocolate.
“I can’t hate the man who helped me escape,” I whisper.
He finally exhales when my lips curl into a sulky smirk.
“Doesn’t mean I have to like him, though. He’s still an asshole.”
“Tommy was more of a father to me than Elias,” he says. “If you two could build a bridge and walk over it, I’d be a happy man.”
I stare up at him, my heart fluttering and my clit throbbing.
“I’ll walk over it. But if he challenges me, I’ll blow the bridge to shit and there won’t be a way back.”
He grins. “There’s my little firecracker.”
“Whatever, smartass.” I try to hide my smile.
“You’re very dirty, Daniela.” He reaches for my zipper. “You’re covered in blood and sweat. Neither of which are mine. All of it has to come off.”
My skin tingles and heats, the ache in my belly blazing.
I hold up my bound wrist, waving my hand at him.
“You’ll have to help. I don’t want this to get wet.
The corners of his eyes crease as he dishes out a lazy smile that dimples his cheek.
“Anything for you, baby.”
Matheus rakes a hand through his dark hair and proceeds to taunt me as he bites his bottom lip, hunkers down before me, and unties my boot laces.
Once they’re off, he drags my pants to my ankles, rises tall, and ever so carefully pulls my long-sleeved top over my head, gently freeing my bad wrist.
Left in a bra and panties, he turns away and heads to the adjoining marble bathroom.
“Hopefully, the temperature is how you like it,” he calls, disappearing inside.
I follow, a little giddy, and find him sticking his hand into the already filled claw-foot bathtub.
“It’s hot, but not scalding,” he tells me as I stop beside him. “Test it first. I can cool it down.”
The calming scent of rosewood and jasmine bubble bath fills my nostrils. I pull my lips between my teeth—a subconscious reflex to stop him from seeing how happy I am—and swirl my fingers in the foam, nodding.
“Perfect?”
“Yeah, perfect.” I look up to find him staring right at me.
He thumbs my cheek and twiddles with the hooks on my bra, unfastening it. When it drops to the heated tiles underfoot, he peppers kisses on my shoulders where the straps had been.
Next, he hooks a thumb in my lacy panties and rips them off in one rough tug.
Damn, that made my heart pump like crazy.
“I love you,” I whisper. “Very much.”
Matheus comes in for a kiss and claims my lips. I melt against him and forget all about the day’s events, losing myself in the way he feels.
Pulling back, he suddenly sweeps me into his arms and lowers me gently into the water.
Kneeling outside of the tub, he takes hold of my sore arm and rests it on the porcelain edge. My wrist still throbs a bit, but it hurts less than it did.
Every hair on my wet skin appreciates the warm sensation of water. My muscles relax and I lie back, letting it hug me.
I’m not used to this. Being so intimate with a man in this way…allowing myself to think about the long term.
It feels good to let go.
“Blanco thinks I have cartel ambition and a desire to be on top,” Matheus says.
He stretches across the width of the tub and depresses a pump of peppermint shampoo into his hand.
“I don’t.” Our eyes lock. “How do you feel about that?”
“Not a thing.” I shrug. “I don”t feel anything about it. To me, you”re an agent.” My stomach sinks. “Why? Is there something else you had in mind? Are you thinking about a law firm—going legit?”
“Nah…I like the action too much. Sitting at a desk twenty-four-seven would kill me.”
Rubbing the shampoo between his hands, he holds them outward and gestures for me to sit up. I wince a little, my bruises twinging with the movement. As soon as I’m upright, he’s massaging my scalp and I’m groaning.
Holy hell, I’m practically at one with the water. A liquid hot mess.
“Your hands feel like heaven.”
He chuckles and dips into the side of my face, his voice husky.
“Just imagine how good my tongue will feel.”
“What’s better than heaven?” I sigh, closing my eyes.
“Peace,” he declares. “Being at peace with each other. Accepting we belong together.”
He continues to rub my scalp.
“The last time I felt anything close to peace was with my mama,” I whisper. “Before she got sick. After that, it disappeared. I was at war with her cancer for years and when she died, I picked up guns and daggers. I’ve been in a constant state of battle for half of my life.”
Matheus kisses my cheek.
“You don’t have to fight alone anymore.”
“You’re so corny,” I joke, my voice thick from holding back tears.
The corners of his mouth twitch.
“You love my one-liners.”
“Um—yeah. I’m afraid it’s more than that,” I clarify. “You took the time to get to know me. And didn’t judge. I’m good at what I do and sometimes I think I could do something more productive with my skills. Maybe help victims, or whatever.” I shrug. “I don”t know where my path leads, either.”
“Sounds like we’re both at the same crossroads,” he replies, adding more shampoo.
“Whatever you decide to do with your life, I’ll support you.” I shoot him a playful look. “Unless you want to be a stripper. Having women drooling all over you is a hard no.”
“Seriously?” he muses. “I could make good money. I’m not hard to look at. They’d wet their panties.”
Laughter bubbles in my chest and I flick water at him.
“Matheus,” I fake a firm voice. “Your body belongs to me. Anyone who plays touchy, touchy with my man will die a gruesome, painful death.”
“Jesus. Why does that get me rock hard?” He smirks, nudging my head back to rinse the suds off with a handheld showerhead.
“I wouldn’t test it.” I close my eyes, deeply relaxed. “Jealousy is new to me. I could end up going on a rampage and obliterating half of a city.”
I sense him getting closer and open my eyes, turning to look at him.
“Only half?” He teases, running hands full of musky conditioner through my lengths. “I wouldn’t stop until the whole world was punished.”
“Competitive much?”
His smile suddenly falls. “All jokes aside, you’ve got nothing to be jealous about, Dani. I hope you know that?” he assures me in a low voice. “We’re past the point of backing out.”
Breaking our spell, a buzzing noise sounds. He grabs a towel and dries his hands before digging his phone out of his pocket.
“Tommy?” He frowns. “Oh, hey, Carina. Does Tommy know you’re calling me from his phone?”
Matheus listens and exhales loudly. “Thank fuck, she’s okay.” His eyes jump to mine. “And Letterman? Right. Okay. Yeah, I’ll put it on speaker. She’s chilling in the tub.”
He taps the screen and holds the phone out as Carina”s voice fills the bathroom.
“Hey, Dani. There’s something I need to talk to you about.”