Ruthless: A Dark Mafia Romance Page 13

  The door opened.

  No. No! I bit my lip to keep from crying, my prayers continuing. Gio, please find me. Please take me back home. Please.

  I sensed a presence, looming, my eyes finally able to make out a figure.

  Large. Hulking.

  I waited, preparing to lunge.

  He walked closer, his footsteps even.

  Oh, God. Oh, God. What the hell was he waiting for? Rocking, I was ready to strike out, no matter the consequences. I had to get away.

  A rustling sound. A heavy breath.

  A blinding light.

  And a scent... His scent.

  Giovanni.

  My abductor.

  Chapter Nine

  Giovanni

  There’d been no other choice for me.

  Capture.

  Imprison.

  Train.

  The three words had played out in the last few moments at the hospital, a mantra that I’d come to accept. I craved this woman more than anything, more than life, more than money. More than power.

  She was also my weakness, something I couldn’t afford to have on the open market. She would bend to my desires, yield to the darkness. She would also remain safe.

  And alive.

  Whoever had betrayed me would go to great lengths to destroy her. That would never happen.

  The expression on Veridi’s face was one of shock, much as I’d anticipated. The emotional rollercoaster I felt was entirely different than I’d expected.

  Raw pain.

  Dark desires.

  Lack of guilt. Interesting.

  I’d abducted her from her own home, placing her in a drug-induced sleep while keeping her secured in the back of an unmarked, windowless van. The trip had taken several hours and in truth, I hadn’t wanted her to awaken. Her caustic mouth was the last thing we needed. I’d captured my special little flower, sweet and innocent and the catalyst for igniting my burning passion.

  Maybe the ugly visions forever haunting me from dying on the table had taken a toll. There was no road to salvation. I almost choked on the thought.

  “You bastard. You fucking bastard!” she screamed, her eyes wild with anger. “What did you do, kill everyone at the hospital? Why? We were trying to help you, keep you alive. And you do this?”

  I allowed her tantrum, even turned on at her vehement outcry. While I needed her trust, as well as hungering for her companionship, I knew that might never be earned. I’d broken through that veil of limited honesty we’d shared with the single decision.

  No matter the reason.

  I was now her enemy.

  She was now my possession.

  She could have no understanding of the intense craving for her, the need overwhelming. I could see right through her dancing eyes into her soul. She was riding the fine line between hatred and hunger, a combustible combination. I knew exactly how to break her down, exposing the submissive woman lurking inside.

  And I would do so.

  Exhaling, I walked closer, still keeping my distance. Rules needed to be established and she would follow them without question. “No one was hurt at the hospital, at least none of the staff. I made certain they were checked on.”

  “I don’t believe you. Anna called and said there was a shooting. My friend. You know, the freaking nurse who tried to keep your ass alive?” She yanked at the chain, gritting her teeth. “Who did you kill? You murderer!”

  She thought the words would hurt. They did nothing but add fuel to the fire.

  “There was a shooting and there were bodies found; however, no one from the hospital was injured in any significant fashion. I assure you.”

  “As if I believe anything you say. You kidnapped me. Why? So I could be your little dress-up doll?”

  Exhaling, I knew she was overwrought and had every right to be, but hysterics I didn’t have time for. I sat down on the bed, reaching for her hand. She jerked, doing everything to get out of my reach.

  “Don’t touch me, you freak! You chained me to the bed.”

  “Only until I had the opportunity to talk to you.” I kept my tone even, hopefully comforting. The hatred in her eyes was like a knife.

  “The police are looking for me. They’ll scour the city when they find out a mafia creep was hiding out in my hospital. God, I was such a fool.”

  “They won’t find anything, Minx, including any trace that you did anything but take a trip. You even left a long note about needing time off. As of today, all traces of my stay at your lovely hospital have been erased.”

  Veridi opened her mouth, emitting a single strangled sound. Her eyes glazing over, she turned her head to stare at the lamp I’d switched on. “Of course, you’d do that, erasing everything in my world. You just made me disappear, never to be found. I have a life that you stripped away from me.”

  “I had to make it look that way because there is a contract on your life.” The lie was the beginning of breaking down her walls. The gamble was necessary.

  She snapped her head in my direction, a tic appearing in the corner of her mouth. “You expect me to believe that?”

  I could tell that she did indeed believe it, fear slipping past her livid resolve.

  “As I told you before, I have many enemies, Veridi and they will stop at nothing to see me dead. I didn’t want anything to happen to you.”

  Snorting, she yanked at her binding once again, allowing the chain to smack against the iron post several times. “Fuck. You.”

  I grabbed her wrist, twisting until she yelped. “I don’t want to hurt you in any manner, Veridi, but I will do so if you continue to act like a child. You are in my home and under my protection, but you will follow my rules in every regard. Do you understand?”

  “Your home?” She clenched her fist, her face full of defiance. Then an understanding made her eyes open wide. “Chicago? You’re kidding me?”

  I saw no sense in lying to her. “We are in Chicago.”

  Veridi exhaled, opening her hand and slumping but I’d seen an odd look in her eyes, one of... trepidation for an entirely different reason. Just being in Chicago troubled her. Why? I thought to the single snippet regarding her past—Chicago. What was my special girl hiding?

  She took several deep breaths, her brow furrowed. While it appeared the fight had been drained from her, I knew she’d regroup, attempting to find a way to escape. I would be forced to punish her severely, but I expected she’d convince herself to try.

  “Jesus,” she whispered.

  “Now, I’ve had some things brought for you. I would like to share dinner and a conversation tonight, if you can be obedient. If not, then you can spend the night in your room under lock and key. The choice is up to you.”

  She nibbled on her bottom lip, blinking several times, fighting the tears I could tell had already brimmed the surface. “I would like to have dinner.”

  “Excellent. Everything is right outside this door.” Slipping a key from my pocket, I reached across her, unlocking the thick cuff.

  A slight moan slipped past her lips as my body crowded her space, but she didn’t pull away. I could taste her fear and the glow of her skin was a powerful aphrodisiac. I wanted her right now, with no hesitation. When she was freed, I took her wrist into my hand, rubbing my thumb back and forth. The touch was enigmatic, the connection like an unbridled wildfire.

  A series of scattered pants pushed past her voluptuous lips, her eyes finding mine.

  “You shouldn’t bruise,” I stated, pressing my lips against her wrist.

  “For now,” she whispered, closing down.

  I eased back, placing her hand on her lap. “You’ll find a bathroom right through that door and you can hang your new clothes in the closet. Consider this your room but at some point, you will stay with me.” I eased to a standing position. “We will go over the entire list of rules at dinner, but you need to know that this house is located on several hundred acres of land with dense forest in every direction. I also have a very expensive security
system, complete with cameras positioned on sixteen locations. If you managed to escape, which is highly unlikely, the woods are full of coyote. You will not make it to any road by yourself. And if you do try and leave this house for any reason, every privilege that you earn will be revoked. Do you understand?”

  “I understand,” she spat, tilting her head in an even more rebellious manner.

  “Good. I will wait for you downstairs.” I moved toward the door.

  “Why are you doing this? It isn’t about protecting me.”

  I thought about her question and answered without looking back. “Because I own you.”

  * * *

  I stood by the fireplace leaning against the mantel and staring at the flames, a whiskey in my hand. The risk I’d taken coming here was significant but would also aid in redefining loyalties and the hierarchy of power. Those under me needed defining wrath, but it would be calculated my way. The CD was low in volume but still powerful in my mind. I’d selected another Rachmaninoff, hoping perhaps that Veridi would feel more at ease.

  She stood behind me. I could almost see her dazzling reflection in the roaring flames. I could taste her fear as much as the fragrance purchased enchanted my senses. I shifted, turning to see her and even more than before, she took my breath away. The crimson dress had been requested specifically, the bodice dipping well below her full breasts, the slender waist and flowing material accentuating her hourglass figure. She’d swept her hair to the side, a slender clip resting just above her shoulder. She was magnificent.

  “You look beautiful, Veridi.”

  Holding her head high, she sashayed into the room, her bare feet pointing with every step. She slid one hand down the soft material, swishing her hips. I watched her every move and knew she was already calculating her escape. “An interesting choice for music.”

  “One I hoped you would approve.”

  She looked away, her guise at appearing bored quite adorable.

  “Would you like a drink?” I headed for the bar, still able to see study her expression as she scanned the perimeter.

  “Yes, I would.” She moved toward the fireplace then shifted away, going to my library of books, fingering several spines. I noticed the slight smile, quickly fading as if she noticed me watching.

  I poured her a drink, holding back as she continued exploring, running the tips of her fingers over the leather couch.

  “You seem surprised at the contents of my home,” I said as I handed her the drink.

  “Maybe.”

  “What did you expect, velvet drapes and gothic furniture? Whips? Guns?”

  This time, she smiled without reservation then hiding behind her drink. “Maybe so. You are a criminal mastermind after all.”

  “This is my home, one I worked very hard to obtain. I don’t do business here, or at least I haven’t until this point.”

  “At your father’s home?”

  I nodded. “A home he adored and shared with my mother and the one that my brother and I grew up in.” I hadn’t given the house much thought since my father’s murder. I had no idea why I was telling her this.

  “Is your brother going to take the house or continue to pretend he’s one of the honorable men?”

  I wasn’t surprised she’d checked up on the family and lifted my glass in respect. “My brother and I do not get along. He is his own man, preferring to live his life with full legitimacy. He would not dare step foot back in my father’s house.”

  “Then you’re admitting that you’re a criminal.”

  Laughing, I took a sip of my drink. She was quite pleased with herself. “You’ve already read about me in the news and I’m certain seen countless updates on the national networks. You can choose to believe what you need to.” I slipped my finger across her chin, moving to her jaw.

  She shuddered, licking her lips. “Please let me go, Gio. I won’t tell anyone.”

  I was forced to exhale. “This is your home now, sweet Veridi. You belong with me.” I hadn’t planned on saying the words, nor had I thought through my intentions other than for the next few days. Still, the thought made my cock twitch, my balls tighten. This wasn’t about love necessarily, but perhaps an arrangement could be made.

  “You’re going to keep me prisoner for the rest of my life? Locked in this house?”

  “I hope that one day you come to enjoy what I can offer you, perhaps even finding a way to care about me the same way I care about you.”

  She inched closer, a smile on her face. “I could never love you, Gio. You are what nightmares are made of. You, yourself told me that.”

  How many times had she issued the words before, only hearing them in my house created a wave of anger. Fisting her hair, I yanked her closer. She would soon learn about my domination.

  “Giovanni, sir, your food is ready.”

  The female voice shocked Veridi as much as my forceful hold, her entire body shaking.

  “Thank you very much, Mrs. Saltori.” I let Veridi go, giving her a stern look.

  “Will there be anything else, sir?” Mrs. Saltori’s eyes darted back and forth, but she held no expression of surprise or dismay. She’d worked for the family since I was a teenager and had seen much worse.

  “Nothing at all. You can go home now and thank you.”

  She nodded, barely acknowledging Veridi’s existence, and left. Within two minutes, I heard the chiming as the front door was opened. The security system was already reengaged.

  “Who is she?” Veridi managed.

  “She was my father’s housekeeper, cook, and sometimes personal confidant. She was at times a surrogate mother to my brother and me. She’s working for me now since my father was murdered.” As soon as I said the words, she swayed, her face paling. What are you hiding, my lovely submissive? “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, I’m just... I’m hungry.”

  And she couldn’t look me in the eyes. What had she thought she’d seen? Had a past memory resurfaced? “Then let’s have dinner.” I guided her into the dining room, not surprised that Mrs. Saltori had even lit several candles. Perhaps her continued attempt at convincing me to settle down. As I pulled out Veridi’s chair, I noticed her anxiousness before sitting down. “Mrs. Saltori seems to have thought of everything. Wine, prime rib, and her famous scalloped potatoes. She knew this was a special occasion.”

  “Thank you,” she said meekly, keeping her hands in her lap.

  I poured her glass of wine first before mine then settled at the other end of the table. I’d never had a guest for dinner in the three years I’d owned the house. The thought was more like a cattle prod, a realization that I was not only private but had lived my life much like a hermit. That was going to stop.

  After I settled the score.

  Veridi didn’t bother looking at me.

  I served her a portion of food, finally settling down. I could handle her insolence to a point, but my patience would eventually wear thin. The candlelight gave a soft glow, somehow a reminder that all things were possible, including... Shit. I’d almost thought the word ‘love,’ as if that was ever going to happen. She was right. I’d made her my prisoner. I’d become exactly like my father, a treacherous being, the same nasty words my brother had tossed out at me.

  “Why bother with the pretense?” she finally asked, reaching for her wine.

  “Meaning?” Suddenly, I was ravenously hungry, the blood-red meat making my mouth water.

  “Wine, the music, a lovely dinner. Why bother? I’m your captive, like a doll in a glass house. I’m certain I’ll be forced to do anything you command.”

  I took my time cutting into the rare beef, savoring the flavor then washing the bite down with a gulp of wine. “That may be true, Veridi, but I’m no savage. I prefer to live life as a celebration.”

  “Instead of shedding blood?” She pushed her plate away, fingering the glass in a seductive manner.

  I wanted nothing more than to strip her of her clothing, dripping prime rib juice across every
inch of her body. Instead, I took another thoughtful bite. “Eat your dinner. You need your strength.”

  She lifted her head, glaring at me, the same almost knowing smile crossing her face as if she were harboring a secret. “Yes. Sir.” She jerked the plate almost off the table with her vehemence, grabbing the steak knife and poking the beef before attempting to cut. Chomping down on the first bite, she moved her hand almost immediately toward the glass, gulping a huge mouthful before starting the process all over again. Strings of juice trickled down both sides of her mouth mixing with beads of cabernet.

  She didn’t bother with her napkin.

  “Manners,” I finally said after watching her for two solid minutes.

  “Is that one of your rules?” She dragged the linen across her mouth.

  Hacking at the prime rib, I finished taking another few bites then sat back. “Let’s get that over with. Shall we? Then we can enjoy our dinner.”

  “Why don’t we?” Her push on the plate was with significant force, almost knocking over her wineglass. She grabbed it just in time, easing out of her seat and reaching for the bottle. “You at least have excellent taste in wine.”

  The woman had a way of goading me that was exactly like a petulant child, one I wanted to drag over my knee and punish severely. The thought forced another series of throbs in my cock. “You will not try and leave the house at any time.”

  “I already heard this.”

  “You will obey my every command.” My hunger was increasing, my stomach rumbling as if nothing could manage to sate it.

  “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  “You will surrender to my every desire.” I refilled my wine, my thirst insatiable.

  “No matter how depraved?” Her expression was one of clear amusement.

  I stabbed at the remaining bites of prime rib, trying to concentrate on the music instead of her childish behavior. I chewed, swallowed, cut, and repeated until I’d finished the delicious yet now tasteless beef.

  “What else?” she demanded.