21. Chapter 21
Dario
The sunlight spills in through the window above the kitchen sink, illuminating both me and the godforsaken couch I slept on last night.
My shoulders dip over the arm as I stretch, attempting to work out the knots in my body.
This isn’t the type of stiff I planned on being the first time I stayed with Jasmine.
The thought brings me pause. I stayed the night.
I slept over at a woman’s place. That’s something I’ve never done before, and I’ve been in plenty of women’s rooms and apartments.
Not only did I sleep here, but nothing physical happened.
This is a new series of firsts, and I’m not sure how to feel about either situation.
As my feet touch the ground, the coffee maker percolates, and the bitter aroma wafts to me. The only way I’d ever want to drink the vile beverage is to sip it off the lips of the woman who may have a slight addiction to it. I may have a slight addiction to her.
“Good morning.” I perk up at my little bull’s voice from the kitchen. I twist my torso to see her, only for other things to perk up, too. She’s stunning in her deep purple satin shorts with a matching top. I would love to take my time to unbutton and expose the gorgeous skin underneath.
“Dario?”
I shake my head. “What was that?”
She rolls her eyes, and it only makes my dick thicken more. “I know you’re a total monster and don’t like coffee, but is there anything else I can get you?”
You. I’ll take you, mio toro. “Some water would be great.”
A single nod confirms our transaction, and she turns toward the refrigerator.
I take the opportunity to stare at her backside, fantasizing about which part of her perfect body I would want to run my hands over first. The clearing of her throat has me aware of her return, and the disapproving glare on her face tells me she caught me staring.
I shrug unashamedly, causing Jasmine to shake her head before she huffs and sits beside me on the couch.
“How did you sleep?” she asks, and I’m not quick enough to hide my grimace. “Yeah, this couch isn’t the best, but if it’s any consolation, the bed isn’t much better.”
I look down at the couch we’re doing our best to relax on. “This doesn’t exactly seem like your style.”
“You think you know me?” Her eyebrow lifts.
“I think I’d like to.”
My statement has her pulling in her pouty bottom lip and going quiet. I sit there idly, not wanting to leave, but not sure where to go from here that doesn’t lead to her instantly booting out the door. Thankfully, Jasmine speaks before I can suggest she allow me to test her mattress for myself.
“Thank you again. For bringing me home. For staying.”
“You don’t have to thank me, mio toro. It was my honor to get you the hell away from that man.”
She snorts. “I’m honestly surprised you didn’t follow us to the back room.”
“I did,” I admit. When her eyes widen, I continue. “I was about to follow you down the hallway when Gio stopped me. Popped right up like the fucking boogeyman. He told me I held no claim to you.” I look at her so that I know she hears my next words. “No matter how bad I want to.”
Jasmine shakes her head. “You don’t mean that. I’m simply the forbidden conquest. You don’t even know me well enough to genuinely like who I am.”
“That’s not true,” I disagree. “I like you very much.”
She sighs. “No, you don’t, Dario.” I think she mutters the words “nobody does” under her breath, and it has my eyes furrowing and fists forming.
She tracks the movement of my hand. “I didn’t mean to make you mad.”
Instantly, I shake my hands out along with my head. “You didn’t. You couldn’t.”
She laughs at that. “Oh, I definitely could. I’m actually quite skilled at making people upset.”
I smile at her. “You make people see the truth. You make those people have to look in a mirror and realize they don’t like what they see. They may act like they’re upset with you, but it’s themselves they truly detest.”
I don’t miss the sudden intake of breath Jasmine takes. “That’s truly how you see me?”
Leaning in, I brush back one of the blonde strands that’s fallen forward on her face. “I see you, mio toro. And one day I hope you see me, too.”
I’m not certain she’s conscious of the movement, but her body leans into mine. With the hair pushed back, I can trail my finger over the soft skin of her face, then, gripping her chin, I pull her closer so my lips can brush against hers.
For a moment, my bull is transformed into an angel. The softness of her lips must be what heaven feels like. The taste of her is all-consuming, and I’m desperate for more, but much too soon, Jasmine’s body tenses and she pushes away from me.
“We can’t do this.”
I shrug. “You’re right. Not now. I have to meet my brothers.”
She huffs and stands from the couch, turning to look down at me. “Not ever. I’ve told you, Dario. I am your attorney. So long as you remain my client, there will never be an us.”
It takes her no time to cross the room and pull open the door. “I think it’s time you leave.”
There is not a bone in my body that wants to leave this horrible couch, but I won’t go against her wishes. I do as she asks, contemplating her words and how I can fix the pesky problem of being her client.
If Inferno is hell, then Luca’s Doom Room is Satan’s lair. I glance around his torture chamber, taking in the space he uses to maim, kill, and dispose of the vermin who cross my family.
A metal slab is on one side of the room with a rolling tray filled with medical supplies, all set up like a surgery center. There’s even a plastic, pink barf bowl somewhere nearby. Ask me how I know.
On the other side is a large wooden shelf holding coils of rope, zip ties, duct tape, and various boxes with gadgets and who knows what else inside. The bottom shelf is lined with perfectly folded towels and tarps. Luca may be a monster, but he isn’t messy.
Sitting in the center is a wooden chair with a large metal drain underneath. And in that chair is my favorite cowboy. Tied up in rope.
“Howdy, Ben.” My greeting from behind him pulls out a whimper I’m pretty sure means he’s about to piss himself. I walk around and pout a little at the lack of moisture on his jeans. We’ll have to fix that.
His eyes dart back and forth between me and Luca. “Are you going to kill me?”
“I’m going to talk to you,” I smile with my signature charm. “Did you have fun in my club last night?”
Ben’s eyes become saucers. “Was that your girl? I had no idea. She had on a gold band and everything.”
“Tell me what happened when you went back to the Ranch Room.”
He begins to tremble, pulling at the rope binding his wrists.
“Nothing happened. I swear. That fucking cow got spooked when she saw my rope. She punched me and ran…” He shuts up when my fist connects with his jaw.
Tears begin to stream down his face as I tug his head back and curl my fingers around his throat.
“You don’t fucking call my beautiful woman names. In fact, you don’t speak about her at all. Don’t even think about her.”
His pupils are vast pools of darkness, and I strengthen my grip on him, but then my phone rings.
I release my grasp on him to dig it out of my pocket, and the man begins to sob loudly.
When I go to answer the call, Luca moves quickly and shoves a bandanna into the jackass’s mouth before keeping it there with a strip of thick, silver tape.
“Thanks.”
“Amateur,” Luca mutters before stomping back over to his corner.
“Hey, Jim. Thanks for calling me back.”
“Mr. Caruso, I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long. You said you had an urgent matter you wanted to discuss?”
I nod, then realize he can’t see me through the phone. “Yes. I was wondering if there was any way possible we could remove Miss Baker from my counsel?”
“Consider it done. Is there a problem we need to address with her?”
“Nope. Thanks for calling.”
I hang up the phone before he can say another word. Now that I’ve taken care of things with Jasmine, it’s time to make the man who hurt her suffer.