AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Lorenzo walks me to the car and as soon as the door is open, I’m met with cutting blue eyes. “You’re late,” he growls out dipping a glance at his watch. I feel rather smug about it. I really can’t help myself.
I slide into the seat and Lorenzo closes the door behind me. “Here I thought it was an oddity your staff actually knew manners and polite greetings when you’re they’re employer.”
“Don’t get lippy with me,” he bites back.
I almost choke on my laugh, and his gaze narrows on me. This man is so infuriatingly arrogant.
“Put your seatbelt on,” he commands as we pull out onto the street. A black screen comes between us and Lorenzo. As close to intolerable privacy as possible.
“Wow, I wonder how the press would take it if they knew how insufferable Luca Armani was in person,” I chastise under my breath as I click the seatbelt in.
“I wonder how the press will take to Alexander Barone’s daughter being a full-fledged stalker.”
“Are you sulking?” I ask, not looking into his direction.
His head whips toward me. “Did I not make our last encounter very clear? You don’t have space to talk back.”
“Only suck your cock, right?”
“It’s the only use I have for your mouth. The rest of the time it seems to make me very angry.”
“I think you’re projecting.”
In my peripheral, I can physically see his temple pulse.
Fuck. I really am playing with fire, but I can’t seem to keep my mouth shut. So instead, I try to shift the topic.
“So, where are you taking me?”
“Does it really matter? You don’t get a say in it either way,” he says as he rests his hand on my knee. I tense under his heated touch. I hate this man so much. All of a sudden, he thinks he can call upon me at his whim. I’m uncertain if I’ll make it out alive during each encounter with this man which is the only reason I stand for it.
Surely, he wouldn’t dress me up like this, with a perfectly fit dress, thoughtful color contrast to my skin and hair, only to take me to a slaughterhouse. Right?
10
ARA
We pull up to a curb and as soon as Lorenzo opens my door I know exactly where we are.
“Why?” I ask, almost a hiss under my breath.
He ignores me and steps out rounding the vehicle to open my door. Luca offers his hand to me and has already been provided with an umbrella from Lorenzo. My jaw hurts from grinding my teeth and his lack of response. I don’t accept his hand but I do step under the umbrella and walk up to the entrance by his side. I divert my gaze when I spot the photographer standing at the entrance into the grand building.
“Smile and pretend like you’re happy to be here,” Luca commands. I hate he’s put me in this position. Bringing me out into a public social event. Especially one I’ve not been invited to before and for good reason. But what choice do I have? Any overreaction will look poorly on me. Not him. It damages my reputation alone.
He possessively places his hand around my waist and pulls me in closer under the umbrella. That’s when I realize his other sleeve’s already begun to dampen. I remind myself etiquette is all a part of the show. We both smile for the photographer as I inwardly grit my teeth.
I made a promise to stay under the radar as much as possible when I moved to New York. My father was to remain the image of the companies, including in articles and publications. When together, we’re to ensure we look like a powerful duo from one generation to the next. But coming here, of all places, is something my father takes particular joy in. This will certainly piss him off.
This is a direct challenge against him.
After the photo is taken, Luca offers me a charismatic smile. “Don’t most men show off their favorite new toy?”
“Not you,” I say with a sickly-sweet smile, conscious of those who will see us come in together. “You’ve never attended an event with an escort.”
“Come now. I’d say your worth is far less than an escort. You’re my prisoner.”
My smile matches his, our deadly gazes locked. “My how sweet you are. Good to see my keeper isn’t all brute and you have some wit about you.”
