Chapter 12 #2
My eyes scan down the length of his body as I watch his panther-like moves, and then settle at his crotch.
Thinking about what he did with that velvety piece of steel last night causes my cheeks to heat.
I quickly avert my gaze, but it’s far too late for him not to have seen exactly where I was looking.
The smirk on his face letting me know he saw soon turns to a grimace as he reads a message from his phone.
The way his jaw tightens makes me think the time has come to decide, hand me over, I really don’t know at this point, but that look, it gives me hope he may not really want to go through with an exchange.
A lump of anxiety fills the back of my throat and my heart with terrifying dread. Maybe it is time. Time for Vincenzo to hand me over to the enemy. Maybe the last nights have just been a diversion until they arrive. There are so many possibilities that my mind races with them all.
I mentally try to bring myself to calm. Vincenzo would not be bringing me lunch if that were the case.
One argument sure, but maybe he’s just bringing me my last supper so to speak.
My chest tightens with full-blown anxiety, distrust, confusion and muscle numbing fear, knowing any minute it’s going to turn into a panicked meltdown that I won’t be able to control.
Vincenzo places a tray in front of me. “Eat while I talk. It seems my brother’s said more than he should.”
His tone instantly puts me on the defensive.
Something is definitely off. I’m in this strange place, without a chance in hell of getting out that doesn’t go through him.
Now the only thing I have to protect myself and my pride is attitude.
He’s going to do whatever it is he wants and the thought that he may even be contemplating an exchange hurts more than I can endure right now.
How can he be so calm when he knows what they will do to me?
“You want to watch and gloat while I have my last meal before you sell me to the bastards?” Even the thought of seeing Bastian terrifies me, but he’s not going to know that.
Never let them see you’re worried. Never.
Once you do that, they will use it as a weakness.
I tried not to let him see my desire for him, but that backfired in the most spectacular and humiliating of ways given that we’re sitting across the tables as enemies again today.
“Eat, Anna. I won’t say it again.”
Bossy, arrogant…. I exhale an exasperated breath but manage to find my fork more quickly than I probably should.
But damn that commanding tone does not sound like someone I want to goad.
Today, it’s different. Whatever mood he’s in surely has something to do with the argument and he’s clearly talked to his brother about it since I saw him last.
Vincenzo pushes the seat back from the table slightly, allowing himself room to let his foot lean against his knee. I try not to let it distract me but no matter that he is the enemy, my body is as traitorous as they come. I still want the bastard as much as I have since that very first night.
These nights together have only made it a hundred times worse. Sexually attracted to my captor. I’ve seriously lost my damn mind. That’s what anyone not me would say.
“Eat,” he urges, but this time somehow, it’s gentler.
I nod, rolling strands of the fettuccine on my fork and placing it to my lips.
Creamy, delicious white sauce just like the recipe Sophia and I grew up enjoying.
I try to savor the flavor, chewing and swallowing while trying to avoid looking up at all, but those dark eyes, they’re watching me intently.
I don’t have to see them to know; they’re burning into my skin.
When my gaze lifts, Vincenzo doesn’t look away. His eyes meet mine head on, capturing them in the magnetism of the chemistry that floats in the air around us so heavy that suddenly I find it hard to breathe.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
He rakes a hand through his hair. “The conversation you heard in the casino.”
“The one where you called me a package? Like another product that you sell?”
His jaw tightens. “Listen to me. I know that’s what you think.”
“No, it’s what I heard you say. Your lips, your words. I didn’t dream it up.”
“Anna, I was talking to Massimo. Trying to let him know you were safe, at the casino, and that he should come pick you up because we got word that Gallini’s men had touched down in the state. I was trying to protect you and you got right into the enemy’s car.”
My mind swirls with everything I heard, all the pieces of conversation moving far too fast for me to put together. “I honestly don’t know what to think. Why would you lie to me, make me think that you kidnapped me?”
“I never lied to you. I was hoping you would come to the conclusion that I could never hurt you like that on your own.”
I close my eyes. It’s all just too much. “Then call Massimo and have him come and get me.”
“It’s a little more difficult now, Anna. You can’t have any contact with Massimo because the Gallinis will find you if you do.”
If Massimo finds out what Vincenzo has done, the wrath of his entire family and every soldier in his control will come down on the DeLucas.
My voice almost cracks. “Are you really keeping me or sending me away now?”
He exhales a deep breath. “Princessa. it seems that you’re going to be hanging out with me for more than a while.”
My eyes widen. All the options of family deals and contracts that mafia men make regarding their women run through my mind. “You bought me?” It’s a guess, and I don’t yet know if I want it to be true or not, but what I do know is that I don’t want to be handed over to a Gallini.
He arches an eyebrow. “Is that what you believe?”
I take another bite of my meal, contemplating this latest development.
He may still be my captor, but my anxiety level just dropped about a hundred and ten degrees.
The Gallinis are no joke, and I don’t think it’s just a roll in the hay that Bastian wants.
He’s rumored to be a sick sadistic son of a bitch and being at his mercy scares the shit out of me.
I’ll take Vincenzo any day of the week, prisoner or not. Besides, I’m not restrained here. If there’s an opportunity to get out that door one day, I’ll take it and be free.
Vincenzo leans closer. “I asked you a question.”
My mind swirls. “I honestly don’t know. Everything is just happening so fast. I feel like the biggest fool in the world. Why did you kidnap me if you weren’t going to sell me?”
He’s thoughtful for a moment. “It’s clear you don’t believe me and instead would rather believe what you want.
Maybe I did kidnap you, or instead saved you from someone who did, or perhaps I did and just changed my mind.
Or got a better deal and just have to wait out some timing issues.
What do you think, princessa? Deep down, princessa, that’s what I want to know. ”
The heat of his gaze is intense, causing my breathing to increase and pulse to race.
“I honestly do not know what to believe except what I know for certain. You’re attracted to me.
If he finds me I’m dead. You want me? You’re keeping me because you’re attracted to me. Are you going to buy me from Gallini?”