CHAPTER 32 - RED
CHAPTER
Red
I’VE ALREADY EXPLAINED why I’ve called my brothers in this morning, yet they’re still not getting the drift. Now that Arianna has spoken to her sister and arranged for her to be removed from the danger I now realize she’s in, there’s no choice but to act.
Plus, I had to get out of that bedroom.
Waking up this morning, finding Arianna’s leg draped over my body, her head on my chest and her velvet skin tantalizing me with every breath she took, caused the largest hard-on I remember ever getting.
With animal arousal surging through me, my automatic reaction was to wake her up in the nicest way possible: by my tongue teasing her clit and bringing her to a point where she begged me to fuck her.
But then I remembered just in time...
I subtly cross my legs to quell the blood rushing to my cock from thinking of it. It doesn’t have much effect, and I only hope my brothers don’t spot the rapid tenting of my trousers.
Knowing that I couldn’t lay a hand on Arianna didn’t help remove my arousal either. It only made it worse - even more so as she moaned in sleep and her fingers brushed my nipple.
Biting my lip, thinking of the people I’ve killed and who I want to kill, didn’t stop it either. I’d gone too far and, unable to help myself, I came right there in the bed, my hot seed drenching my thighs and sheets like a teenager.
Mortified, I gently moved Arianna off me without waking her and jumped out of bed before I soaked the base sheet. Crumpling up the top sheet on my side, I prayed she wouldn’t notice the sticky wetness when she awoke.
Even two further sessions within the shower didn’t fully relieve me. It still hasn’t.
Thankfully, if Arianna noticed anything, she said nothing, and I deflected by handing her my phone so she could call Maria.
But that’s why they are here now.
Focusing on my brothers, I ask again. “So, that’s how it will be.”
Liam runs his hand over his neatly styled hair and then leans forward in the chair to rest his elbows on his knees. “I’m not sure I believe what you’re expecting us to do.”
“Like I’ve already said, taking Arianna with you to fetch her sister is what I’m asking. Me doing it is too risky,” I explain once again. “Both of us being spotted out in the open will be noticed. Arianna must not leave the car, though. Just let Maria see her to show her it’s safe to get in.”
“Yeah, but it seems to have escaped your knowledge that the minute Emiliano Galvatore realizes the girl is gone, it will rattle his cage,” Oscar adds. “Doing this also means the planned strike at the wedding is off because there will be no wedding without a fucking bride. Don’t you see that?”
My lips thin. “Yes, I know, but there’s no way around it as this cannot be postponed.”
Liam goes to speak but instead glances over his shoulder.
“It’s okay,” I say. “Arianna’s upstairs getting ready to leave.”
I chew the inside of my cheek. Arianna remained quiet and subdued since calling Maria. The girl wasn’t particularly receptive to the plan. How much of Arianna’s reasons were believed I’m unsure about, but enough must have been taken on board otherwise Maria wouldn’t be coming.
“I’m not being funny or anything, but have we turned into a halfway house for Galvatore women or something?” Liam snaps. “Who are you taking on next? The fucking mother?”
I cut Liam a warning glare. “After Maria and Arianna are in the new safe house I’ve arranged, I suggest we plan what we’ll do next now the wedding strike is a no-go.
But however we do it, once Matteo and Luca are to be taken out, I’ll arrange a team to watch Arianna and her sister as I need to be back at the Scorpio in case Emiliano or any Bristoni stragglers make a play for retaliation. ”
“Just one thing.” Oscar eyes me warily. “How do you know this Maria chick won’t run to daddy or Matteo before we get there? You’re the one who said she’s Matteo’s favorite and daddy’s obedient daughter.”
“Well, I don’t know,” I mutter. “I just have to trust Arianna when she says her sister believes enough of what she’s told her to realize it’s her only chance.”
And that’s a risk I’m willing to take. I’ll put Arianna back together any which way I can. Protecting her sister from those cunts is part of that, so therefore it will be done without question.
Plus, there’s something else I need to do...
My gut churns with apprehension. She hasn’t said in as many words. In fact, Arianna hasn’t said anything directly on the subject at all, but in addition to what happened or didn’t happen at the hand of her bastard brother and Luca Bristoni, there’s something else playing on her mind.
It’s nothing I want to acknowledge as a possibility or even how I’d deal with it if it is, but... “Right.” I get to my feet, deciding that before I do anything else, I need to deliver on this. “I’ll tell Arianna you’re ready to go. It’ll just be you doing this, Liam.”
Liam scowls as he reluctantly gets to his feet. “Why me and not Oscar?”
“Because Maria is a Galvatore and however much you dress it down, the way you feel about that family renders the chances of you cracking onto her as remote!”
Despite himself, Liam chuckles. “I can’t say fairer than that, I suppose. Let’s just hope your judgement about her not screwing up is as spot on as your analysis of me.”
I don’t return Liam’s grin. There will be nothing to smile about ever again if Maria Galvatore fucks this up or if I’m correct about what I believe is bothering Arianna deep down.