14. Believe #3
“Where’s the restraining order?” I held my arms out to the sides, walking towards my bathroom to take a much-needed shower.
“I don’t see one.” Of course, he followed me, even as I stripped down and walked under the warm waterfall.
He sat on the toilet seat, balancing one boot over his knee and bouncing his leg.
“That was a verbal warning, Sani. She’s filed a statement against you. It’ll go to court next time. We don’t need this right now. You’re just causing more problems.”
“No, she’s just playing hard to get,” I shouted over the sound of running water. I didn’t need to look at Max to know he was rolling his eyes.
“Time to back off the girl. We will regroup in Verona. Get Gio and Alessio up to speed on Damiano and focus on figuring out who is feeding Piero information. Those two things can’t be a coincidence.
First, the shipment raids and now hiring an ex-Leone soldier.
Someone knows more than we do. And I don’t fucking like it.
You need to get your head out of the clouds and back down where it belongs so we can figure this shit out quickly.
That means staying well away from the mayor’s daughter. ”
I gave his argument a microsecond of thought, purely out of politeness. I turned off the water, deciding it was best I say nothing because I wasn’t keen on making promises I definitely wouldn’t keep. He threw me a towel and stood up.
“We leave in ten minutes. Don’t keep me waiting when I have a half-dead body in the back of my car because of you.”
Once he’d left, I rummaged through my wardrobe for a new burner phone and sent a message to my beautiful rebel. Living up to her name, wasn’t she? My dick hardened at the thought of spanking that ass for sending the cops my way. One day.
Honestly, I’m impressed, beautiful. Keep this up and see where it gets you.
The three dots appeared instantly, then vanished and reappeared.
Where will it get me? In a body bag?
I shook my head. Clearly, the bubble bath, food, and domestic chores weren’t enough to show her what my intentions were. I only wanted to worship her, not hurt her. Well, aside from spanking her, but that was different. She’d enjoy that.
Bent over my knee, dress around your waist, and that perfect ass red and raw.
When she didn’t reply, I chuckled, imagining her biting her bottom lip, cheeks blushing in that pink shade like a rose petal, and squeezing her thighs together because she hated how much that turned her on.
Why are you messing with me like this?
I paused, rereading the text multiple times because it didn’t sit right with me. How could she still not understand? I’d been as clear as fucking daylight about my feelings.
You’re mine, Aria. I told you the moment I saw you, I knew you were meant for me.
I’ve been searching for you all my life, and there you were in that spa—innocent blue eyes, clumsy limbs, and sexy moans.
I was hooked. You can try to deny what’s between us, but we both know you’re just lying to yourself.
I’m trying to be patient with you, but I’m not a patient man, yet here I am, willing to wait. Just don’t keep me waiting too long.
You say that like I’m supposed to find it romantic. It’s terrifying.
Only because you know it’s true.
She read it, and in the time it took for me to get dressed and pack my suitcase, she still hadn’t responded.
I wasn’t sure how to interpret that, but I hoped that at least she wasn’t shutting me down.
My phone vibrated as I walked through the penthouse to where Max was waiting impatiently by the front door.
Are you a bad man? Everyone keeps telling me I should be afraid of you.
I pursed my lips at that question. I wasn’t a good man, but I also wasn’t the worst. I had some morals—lines I wouldn’t cross.
Most of them, though, were a little frayed around the edges by society’s standards.
But would I be a bad man to her? Never. And deep down, her gut told her that, too.
She didn’t say she was afraid of me, just that everyone else told her to be. Those were two very different things.
I’ll never hurt you, Aria. You never have to be afraid of me. Only afraid of how much you want me.
“Are you texting her right now? After I just told you to leave her alone!”
I looked up to see Max’s face turning red with fury that I’d ignored his advice, warning, or whatever it was. “I never agreed to leave her alone. You know that it’s impossible. That would be like telling a cow not to moo.”
“I’m out.” He raised his hands on either side of his head. “Your brother can deal with you. I give up. At least tell me that’s a burner phone.”
“I’m not an idiot. And guess what? You know that new app I had Nero build, the one that deletes message conversations from both phones via the metadata? It works.”
Max shook his head, unsure whether he wanted to tell me I was a genius or punch me in the face. Probably both.
Her last text came through, and I smiled so wide my cheeks hurt.
That’s exactly what I’m scared of.
I waved the message in Max’s face. “I knew it. She already loves me.”
He groaned and shoved me out of the door as I kissed the phone and then pressed delete on all the messages.