Chapter 4 #2
The blood rose in Enzo’s face as he lunged up from his chair to lean across the desk toward her.
“I’m glad you were awestruck, but I need more,” he shouted and threw his glass across the room, shattering the fine crystal against the wall.
“Who are these people? Where did they come from? What do they want to do?” He stalked out from behind the desk and grabbed her forcibly by the arm, lifted her out of her chair, and shook her violently with each word. “Why. Are. They. Here?”
Alessia struggled to keep her fear from showing on her face. Enzo had lost control, and she was a handy target for his anger.
When he spat out the final word of his question, Enzo threw her to the ground.
Her brandy spilled onto the floor, soaking into the carpet.
“You will go back there tomorrow night and find me these answers. Now go to your room! I don’t want to see you until tomorrow night, when you have some better information for me. ”
Quickly, Alessia retrieved her phone from under the chair where the device had bounced on the carpet.
Too cautious to waste precious seconds scrambling for the glass, she abandoned the tumbler with a silent apology to the house cleaner, who would be responsible for cleaning the mess.
Picking herself up painfully from the floor, Alessia staggered out the door.
She didn’t make eye contact with her brother but hurried out of the room as Enzo stood with his back to her as he poured himself another drink.
In the hallway, the guards glanced away as if her mere presence alone would rub off and bring Enzo’s wrath down on them.
After grabbing her sweatshirt, Alessia slowly made her way up the stairs to her room.
She allowed herself the briefest pause to assess her injuries.
Bruises only this time. Enzo’s wrath rarely came with such a low price.
Alessia quietly shut the door and moved to the windows and the French doors to close the curtains.
For the briefest of moments as she drew the material over the glass, she thought she saw a shadow dart across the drive.
Shaking her head, she dismissed the notion as a trick of light and wiped the unshed tears from her eyes.
If she were lucky, Enzo would never make her cry again.
She stepped into the attached bathroom and removed her clothes.
Alessia carefully set the borrowed sneakers to the side as she tossed everything else into the laundry basket.
One look at her face made her jump into the shower.
The rain had already removed most of her makeup.
She soaped up her arm, glad to clean off the lingering unpleasantness of Enzo’s grip.
The smudge of bruising already showed on her skin.
Shuddering from Enzo’s out-of-control violence, Alessia crossed her fingers.
Please let Titus come to save her. Please.
Forcing her thoughts from the magnetic man, Alessia spread lather over the rest of her skin.
Her fingers lingered between her thighs, rinsing the remains of her arousal and pleasure.
She shivered as her body responded to her touch but forced herself to stop. She needed to be ready for Titus.
She stepped out of the shower after toweling herself dry and dressed in jeans, a T-shirt, and the Nightfall hoodie Titus had given her. Lifting the material to her nose, she inhaled, searching for his scent on the material. Rolling her eyes at her silliness, Alessia donned socks and sneakers.
After setting a small duffel on her bed, Alessia packed some essentials: a hairbrush, panties, bras, socks, a couple of shirts, her most necessary cosmetics, her toothpaste, and a toothbrush. Oh, no! She’d almost forgotten Carina’s shoes. Quickly, she grabbed those.
Alessia reviewed the belongings she’d added to the duffel.
What else should she take? She scanned the room.
Her jewelry case captured her attention.
Without second-guessing herself, she opened the wooden box and searched for the one piece she needed.
She tucked the necklace her father had given her for her twenty-first birthday into a velvet bag and added the small sack to her duffel.
That gift was the only thing she owned of value.
For her, the monetary worth meant less than the sentimental place the piece of jewelry held in her heart.
On top of everything, she set her stuffie, Hopper, inside and carefully tugged the zipper up.
How would Titus locate her? Panic zipped through her. She brainstormed ways she could signal him and dismissed them all. Cluing in the guards on patrol outside that she was expecting a guest would be a bad idea. He’d talked to her in her brain. Could she send him information?
Alessia squeezed her eyes closed and concentrated as hard as she could, picturing Titus in her mind—devastatingly handsome, tall with dark hair that curled on the top of his head and tempted her to thread her fingers through the silky strands.
His green eyes had focused so intently on her.
And his hard body… She’d never wanted to rip off someone’s clothes instantly.
Alessia pulled her thoughts back from lusting after him.
She inhaled deeply, remembering his yummy scent, and ran her tongue over her lips, searching for a hint of his taste.
You’re killing me, Little mate. Titus’s growling voice filled her mind.
Titus! I was scared you wouldn’t be able to find me. Instantly, her worry eased but didn’t disappear. She’d be on edge until they’d escaped Enzo’s clutches. Would she ever be safe from Enzo? Even with Titus?
Alessia? Are you okay?
She could hear the concern in his tone. Quickly, she thought, Sorry. I wanted to make sure you knew where my room is. I’m on the second floor. My French doors are the first set from the right-hand side as you’re looking at the building.
I’ll always be able to locate you, Alessia. Your scent is in my nose.
So, you’re a bloodhound? she teased, surprised she could joke with him.
Where you’re concerned, I’m a rabid beast.
Instead of that sounding like a threat, Alessia smiled at his determination. He would find her. Thank you, Titus.
I’ll be there soon to whisk you away. Do you have everything you need packed?
I’m ready, Titus.
Alessia turned off the light to give everyone outside the impression that she’d gone to sleep. Moving in the darkness, she unlatched the window and returned to sit on the bed, next to her duffel. She slid her hand inside to stroke Hoppy’s soft fur.
“I hope I’m doing the right thing, Hoppy. I just met Titus. This could be the most epic stupid move in the history of gullible women.”
You’re not gullible, Little mate. You’ll always be safe with me. Ready to leave?
She jumped as she spotted his shadowy figure in her room. Astounded that she hadn’t seen him arrive, Alessia barely controlled her desire to throw herself in his arms. She remembered his question and nodded before realizing he couldn’t see her in the darkness. “Yes.”
Nodding is fine, Alessia. I have good vision. Now, no talking. No sound at all. I’ve taken out some guards and evaded others, so we’ll need to be quiet. Where’s your phone?
Alessia pulled her cell out of the purse she wore across her torso. She held the device out to him and gasped when he crushed the phone in one hand and scattered the pieces over the floor. She smacked a hand over her mouth to prevent herself from making any other noise.
Stand up, Little mate. I’m going to stage the scene.
Automatically, she followed his directions.
Titus moved her behind him. Her body reacted to his touch automatically as if the feel of his skin on hers was a powerful aphrodisiac.
When he released her, she missed that sensation.
He set the duffel aside before ripping her covers partially off the bed.
The white sheets stood out in the darkness.
He made her room appear as if he’d dragged her out of bed.
She shivered at the implied violence in the tangled bedclothes.
Where’s your nightgown?
Alessia grabbed her nightshirt out from under the pillow. Handing the cotton garment to him, she heard the material rip. That sound startled her, but her eyes were adjusting more to the shadowy darkness. He draped the fabric over his shoulder.
Arm, Alessia. I’m sorry I’ll have to hurt you.
Hesitantly, she extended her arm. Titus dipped his head to smooth the flat of his tongue over her skin sensually.
A sting on her skin made her yank her hand back, but he gripped her fingers firmly.
A moan of delight rumbled from his mind into hers as his hand tightened on her wrist. What had turned him on? The discomfort he’d caused her?
Your taste, Little mate, he answered the question she hadn’t meant to ask him.
Her mind raced as he squeezed her flesh over the nightshirt.
Titus tossed the garment onto the sheets before lifting her arm to his mouth one more time.
That tongue smoothed over her flesh. Again, the deep, sensual sound echoed in her mind.
Her body responded eagerly. Alessia squeezed her thighs together, trying to quench the desire that he had kindled inside her with his sounds.
Time to get out of here, Little mate. I will take care of you. You’ve never been safer in your life. Okay?
Okay, Titus. I’ll trust you. Strangely, her mind was calm. She did feel like she could rely on him implicitly.
Let me grab your bag.
Titus picked the satchel up. A tumbling movement told her that something had dropped out. “Hoppy!” she gasped. She scrambled to find her stuffie.
Let me, Alessia. I have your buddy. I’ll apologize to him later. Let’s put Hoppy back inside.
Her face flamed with embarrassment. He knew about Hoppy. She jumped when he cupped her cheek and guided her lips to his in a reassuring, soft kiss.
Little girls need their stuffie. I’m glad you’ve had Hoppy. Let’s go now. I hear someone in the hall.