Chapter 12
Anna
Loud shouting coming from a distance pulls me from the serenity of dreaming about the last five nights in bed with Vincenzo.
I tilt my head listening carefully but the voices lower too quickly for me to make out what they are saying.
Curious and awake now, I retrieve the book I was reading from the mattress by my side and check the ornate circular clock on the wall.
My stomach growls confirming that it will be time to eat again soon.
Whoever left that scrumptious breakfast on the table is owed a huge thank you.
Staying up half the night tumbling around in bed with Vincenzo took all of my energy and was a great reason to sleep in this morning.
I slide out of bed and pad barefoot into the bathroom to freshen up and get ready for the day, paying far more attention than I should to the sparkle of my teeth and shine of my hair for the dark-haired adonis who may walk into my room at any minute completely unannounced.
I’ve barely zipped up the pretty little green dress and slid my feet into a pair of flats before I hear the argument start up again, this time almost loud enough for me to hear.
Self-preservation and years of training kick in, spurring me to move.
I move closer to the door leading from my bedroom to the penthouse living room, listening quietly to the men on the other side. “Maybe when he gets here instead of just talking and negotiating, it’s time to hand her over.”
“Quiet, she’ll hear you.” Vincenzo growls. I put my ear to the heavy door, straining to make out what they’re saying because now they both have my full attention.
“Perhaps it’s time this charade of yours is out in the open. How long are you going to pretend that they’re not coming, that they won’t be here soon?” Nicolo, I recognize that voice from the other day. Scary, intense and fiercely protective of his brother and family.
“When they get here, we’ll deal with it. Until then, she doesn’t need to know anything about it. What’s the point, Nicolo? She’ll be terrified, for what end? In time, there will be no secrets, capisce?”
“I don’t understand the play, Vincenzo.”
“You will. The whole world will in very short order. I have to jump on a call with Gianni and Agosto. Can you stay here, keep an eye on her for me?”
“Sure, why don’t I babysit for you?” Nicolo says.
The door clicks and I can only assume that Vincenzo has left.
This is my chance to learn more, maybe even get out that door.
I test the knob and open the door tentatively, half afraid of what mood I’ll find his brother in and half anxious that he’ll walk out of the penthouse before I have a chance to talk to him.
Nicolo stands at the windows looking out over the vast blue sky of the Atlantic Ocean but turns toward the sound as I open the door completely. “It’s a great view,” I say quietly, walking into the room.
He doesn’t turn away, just assesses me like he’s trying to figure out a puzzle. Well join the club buddy. “It is indeed,” he says. “I’m sorry if we woke you. I thought Vincenzo had your door locked.”
I shrug. “The person who brought breakfast probably forgot to lock it, Vincenzo never does. I grew up with a bunch of Italian hotheads. Uncles, cousins, me and Sophia were always running into some disagreement or another. I’ll survive without a little sleep.
” I gesture to the door. “Vincenzo left? Do you know for how long?”
He sighs. “It won’t be long, I’m sure. We have things to deal with.”
Anger blooms in my chest at his casual reference to me being handed over like a piece of meat and it makes me brave. “Yes, things, like handing me over to the enemy, and cashing in on a billion-dollar payday.”
Nicolo’s eyes widen.
“Oh, sorry to spoil Vincenzo’s secret. Yes, once he hands me over the entire world will know.”
His eyes go dark as coal. I fear I’ve gone too far or that he really didn’t know the extent of the intended exchange even though based on the argument with his brother just shortly ago, I’m pretty sure he knows.
“Your brother was delaying the exchange. You know, having a little fun with the package, because why not? He was so good at it that I started to think that maybe, just maybe he wouldn’t be able to do it. ”
His jaw locks so tight that I may have hit a nerve. Maybe I can goad him into telling me something useful, something that can help me get out of here or at least give me a little bit of leverage with his brother.
“Now that he’s had his fun, maybe now there’s no reason for this mysterious delay, no?
Let whoever is coming for me, come. Just tell me one thing.
How can you and your brother sleep at night?
I thought the DeLuca name was dirt before meeting you both, now, more than dirt, scum, not even as good as dirt. ”
Nicolo’s dark eyes penetrate me with the intensity of a man who doesn’t suffer fools or waste any time at all. I’m pretty sure if he had his way he’d do everything in his power to get rid of me after all the trouble I’ve managed to cause.
When he speaks his voice is lower somehow, controlled but more dangerous than before.
“You would do well to keep your opinions to yourself, Ms. Cassone. My brother has done nothing but save your life and protect you from the moment you met. He’s willing to bring his family to war to fight the men coming for you. ”
My mouth gapes and it takes effort to grasp what he just said, my mind rewinding bits and pieces of conversation but nothing is crystal clear, it’s all a blur of information that doesn’t make a bit of sense.
He stalks closer, eliminating the distance between us in two large strides, glaring down at me. “Do you really think he’d put his family at risk for a good fuck? He can get that any night of the week, any time he wants.”
His jaw twitches, and at first it looks like he’s going to say more but decides against it. He turns on the heel of his dress shoe and walks out the penthouse door, locking it into place without even a backward glance.
My chest feels tight with the magnitude of all that is at stake. The sheer weight of the situation does not fully sink in until he’s gone, and I’m left standing alone trying to comprehend everything that I just heard.
Hours later, I’m still mulling what Nicolo said around in my mind and trying to make sense of everything I heard Vincenzo say over the course of the time I’ve been with him. The only one who can clear this up is the dark-haired devil himself but of course he won’t be around until it’s time to play.
My face flushes trying to recall each and every word Vincenzo said on that phone call at the casino right before I ran.
I walk to the window and press my face against the cool of the glass, feeling sick to my stomach.
I head to the refrigerator, feeling like an invader but starving for something to eat and grab a couple of pieces of string cheese to tide me over until lunch.
As hard as I try, all the words seem jumbled now, what he did say, what he didn’t say, what I think I heard or swear he said. Now, I’m not sure exactly what I heard. I just know that it scared me like nothing else has since Barcelo.
My eyes open wide. No, he did know who I was. He’s the one that Massimo sent in to get me from Barcelo’s hideout. A debt to pay is all Massimo had said when I asked him why a DeLuca. The night we met at the casino, how handsome he looked in his dark suit and mask for the masquerade.
Vincenzo could have told me who he was right then and there but didn’t. I inhale a deep breath, confusion, recounts of what happened, lies and truth all mingling into a ginormous mess that leaves me more confused and frustrated than before.
There’s only one person who can answer all these questions for me, and I decide right here and now that I am going to get the truth out of him when he returns. No matter what. I have to know, one way or another.
As if by conjuring him in my mind, a soft rattle at the door alerts me to his impending intrusion. I walk to the small rectangular table pushed up against the wall and take a seat in one of the two black chairs, crossing my legs as I wait for him to appear.
What he’s done with the lady who was here before bringing me food and the like, I have no idea. I should be upset that he’s isolated me further, but there’s no denying the bubbling excitement that dances in my belly every time he’s near and especially after nights spent with him.
And now he has to decide whether to hand me over if I am to believe Nicolo.
I should be fueled with regret, but my traitorous body just wants more of what he has to give.
The magnetic attraction is far too strong.
From the first time I saw him in the club his very presence pulled me in, like I could feel him before I even saw him in his sexy masquerade mask and Armani suit.
That animalistic attraction drew me in, caused me to look around, seeking him out. Watching him standing against the pole in the club just assessing me, I felt those eyes and they heated my skin, just like he does every time he even looks at me much less touches my skin.
Vincenzo walks in with a tray and closes the door with an Italian leather-clad foot. He doesn’t bother to lock it. I wish I had been awake and heard the full context of the argument.
It’s hard to know what to believe…
Five days of him coming to my bed after darkness blankets the sky.
I’d almost let myself believe I’m no longer a prisoner, and Vincenzo wants me all for himself.
But that argument, the tenseness of his jaw.
All bring me back to the reality of the situation.
I’m still his captive, Bastian Gallini wouldn’t give up on his vow for vengeance, and a billion dollars is a hell of a lot of money to turn down.
And am I really worth starting a war for?
Vincenzo’s dark suit melds to that powerful frame as he crosses the floor.