Chapter 28
Alessandro
Big Tony pulls into the parking garage beneath the condo.
“Fuck,” I spit as I watch Giada striding over to the elevators.
Big Tony sets his coffee cup into the holder and glances back at me. “You want to keep driving?”
I could, just so I don’t have to deal with her shit, but something in me is broken right now, and the Beast is stomping around on the shards of my heart, demanding blood.
I hear it pulsing in my ears, feel it in the pressure behind my eyes.
I swing the door open before he comes to a full stop and, with long strides, catch up to her just before she reaches the elevator.
I grab her arm, and she whirls around, brown eyes wide. Guess she didn’t hear me coming up behind her. Her fear gives me a perverse sense of satisfaction. “What are you doing here, Giada?”
Her fear morphs into rage as she takes in my appearance. She rips her arm from my grasp and rubs it. “Just getting home? I guess the rumors are true then. You bid on her at the auction.”
“If you’re referring to Lennon, my brother bid on her.”
A slow smile ghosts her mouth. Her dark eyes narrow. “Do you think I’m that stupid? You wouldn’t let Rocco near your precious whore.”
My hand is around her throat in a flash, her body pressed up against the elevator door. Her heavy perfume turns my stomach as I glare down at her, steam practically coming from my ears.
“Who the fuck do you think you are?” I squeeze harder, feeling the fluttering pulse and birdlike bones in her throat.
“No, don’t answer that. Let me remind you that our organization isn’t actually a feminist one.
No one gives a shit if a wife or girlfriend or fiancé walks around with bruises or broken bones. ”
Her voice is strained from my grip as she chokes out, “You wouldn’t.”
No, I wouldn’t. I don’t get off on hurting women. But she doesn’t know me. Not really. And if I have to make her believe I’m that kind of man to keep Lennon safe then I will. Because I do know Giada. She’s a vengeful cunt. “Try me.”
She arches her body forward, rubbing herself on my cock like a cat.
I jerk back in disgust. My hand loosens from her throat.
She shoots me a triumphant look, but it's mixed with malice. “Oh, Sandro. You do know how babies are made, right? The Commission will expect an heir, so you better get used to the idea of me being the woman who owns your cock.”
She goes to reach for me, and I grab her wrist and hold it against her body. “I will do my duty and fuck you. But it will be in the dark, from behind and you won’t be touching me.”
Her tiny body is trembling, but I know it's not from fear. I’ve hit a nerve.
Giada has always used her looks, her body, to get what she wants from men.
She can’t fathom not getting what she wants from me when I have full access to her body.
It’s like I’m saying her currency is worthless, and she doesn’t have anything else to offer.
I’ve made her feel worthless. It’s a mistake.
Her eyes narrow, a glint of dark intent flashes beneath her fake lashes. “Have it your way.”
I release her and take a step back.
With a hand protectively around her neck, she pushes past me, but then turns with a smile worthy of a snake. “Just remember I warned you.”
After she slides into her red Ferrari and peels away, I slam my fist into the concrete wall. Pain explodes up my arm, overriding the pain in my chest.
She’s going after Lennon.
I dig my phone out of my pocket and call Rocco.
“What’s up?”
Watching the blood bloom on my knuckles, I say, “I need you to put a guard on Lennon. And I want updates personally.”
There’s a brief pause and then he asks, “Where is she? What’s the threat?”
Big Tony walks up and side-eyes my injured hand as I follow him into the elevator. “At her apartment. Giada.”
“On it.”
***
At one in the morning, I’m sitting outside Lennon’s apartment.
Big Tony is in the driver’s seat, alternating yawning and smirking at me.
I’m twirling her apartment key on my finger. I couldn’t sleep. I need to see for myself that she’s okay. According to her tail, they haven’t seen her leave her apartment all day. My mind keeps conjuring up worst-case scenarios.
What if she’s not actually in there? What if she went out and they kidnapped her? Or what if someone’s already gotten to her inside and she’s in there hurt or worse?
I reach into the glove box for my Beretta. “Fuck it. Be right back.”
“I’ll be right here, Boss,” Big Tony says, his tone supportive but amused.
I hop out of the SUV and jog across the parking lot, up the stairs and to her door. My heart is beating heavy in my chest as I slide the key in, turn it and slowly push the door open.
I step inside and quietly snick the door closed behind me. It's dark. The only sound is the clicking and humming of the refrigerator.
So many memories rise up as I take in the apartment. They threaten to bury me, suffocate me. With effort, I shove them back down.
Crossing the small space, I pass behind the sofa and reach her bedroom door, which is slightly ajar.
Pausing to listen for any signs she’s still up, I’m only met with silence.
I rest my hand on the door, praying she’s in there safe and sound.
If she’s not, I will let the Beast loose to destroy the Zerillis. Fuck the consequences.
Nudging the door open wide enough to slip through, I’m flooded with relief. Her body is sprawled out in the twin-size bed. My shoulders fall and my chest loosens as I quietly move deeper into the room.
She’s on top of the comforter, dressed in a black tank top and white boy shorts. Her hair is fanning the pillow, her mouth slightly open in a soft snore.
I curl my hands into fists to stop myself from sliding into bed with her and gathering her soft, luscious body into my arms. I do however, lose the battle of leaning down and pressing a light kiss on the edge of her lips. “Dormi bene mio angelo,” I whisper.
When I stand, something on her nightstand catches my eye and I freeze.
It’s the snow globe I gave her for her seventeenth birthday. She kept it.
I pick it up and shake it. As the sparkly fake snow swirls around the replica of New York City, our conversation comes back to me. Not just the words, but the heartache I was feeling at the thought of never seeing her again. I was desperate to find a way to be with her.
Such a naive kid.
Lennon shifts in her sleep, mumbling something and moving her hand to rest on her stomach.
I give myself three seconds to indulge in memorizing her, replace the snow globe and leave.