Page 57

Antonio appeared at the top of the stairs so I let go of Inspector Gadget—Julian—and his head dropped to the tiles with a loud thud.

Julian, aka the LA don, and the father of Marcus and Matteo, was also in the room when they plotted on taking Antonio down. Julian wasn’t an easy kill, that’s for sure. But, since my spontaneous ideas were always… interesting, I opted for gaining their trust and fucking up their operation so that I would then in turn gain Antonio’s trust as well. Mind fuck? Yes. Would it work? Probably not. Was it fun? Also yes.

It would also, hopefully, prove to Antonio that I deserved my freedom. And that I wouldn’t run away. Yet.

“I can tell you all really missed me.” I smiled, dragging my eyes over all of them until finally, my gaze settled on Antonio.

He held his usual neutral expression, but his eyes told a different story. He wasn’t mad at me. He couldn’t be.

He made his way down the stairs with both hands in the pockets of his slacks, stopping in front of me.

I took a second to take in his appearance before crossing my arms over my chest. “You’re not armed,” I stated, scoffing at his idiocy. “You’re either brave or stupid.”

“You’d know better than to try anything again.” Good point.

“What would you do without me, De Luca?” I rhetorically asked, pulling a USB out of my bra. I stepped closer, pressing my body up against his and slipped the USB into the pocket of his pants, feeling the warmth of his hand against mine.

My eyes dropped to his lips as I fought back a smile; allowing my gaze to linger just enough before I looked up. Our eyes collided for the briefest moment, only to ignite the familiar sensations that once lured me in.

I stepped back, unbuttoning my white dress shirt as I brushed past his shoulder, heading up the stairs.

“Definitely missed you.” I grinned at Kiril, who too had his gun pointed at me. “Come join me.” I beckoned, pulling my shirt over my shoulders, allowing it to fall to the floor and his eyes travelled down to my exposed chest.

I stopped and used, whatever-his-name-is’, shoulder to stabilize myself as I pulled each heel off, tossing it somewhere. I turned my head to look at him, dark brown eyes narrowed at me.

“You’re a new face.” I flicked the bottom of his chin with my finger. My eyes found Kiril again as I started walking. “I won’t tell,” I whispered, pulling the zipper on the back of my skirt down, and he swallowed hard, tightening his grip on his gun.

“Boss?” A croaky voice said behind me as I continued in the direction of my bedroom.

A single command left Antonio’s lips and I grinned, slipping into my bedroom before shutting the door.

I pulled the cellphone I managed to bag out of my skirt and checked to make sure I had signal. I exhaled in relief.

Glancing around the room, I swallowed hard. Antonio did something to my room. I could feel it. Sense it. But I simply couldn’t put my finger on it. I’d considered maybe it was cameras, but after searching the room, I came up empty handed. No special listening devices either.

Feeling defeated, I hid the cellphone and slipped into the shower.

Eventually I stepped out of my bathroom with my towel wrapped around my body to find Antonio standing in the doorway. Shit. Shit Shit. What do I do? Run? Drop to my knees and apologise? Nah.

Mischief loomed in the air. Maybe if I seduce him he’ll forget that I—

I immediately stopped, trailing my eyes down his body. “You miss me, De Luca?” I innocently asked.

I walked toward him with my arms crossed over my chest. “Don’t tell me you’re still mad,” I taunted — stopping in front of him.

“If I were, you’d be dead.”

“You can’t kill me. I’m too much fun,” I smiled, gently tracing my fingertips up the side of his arm. “And I’m the only one brave enough to do what I just did. So you need me.” I pinned him with a look, lifting my finger to his cheek.

I gently ran my thumb over his bottom lip and I watched his body tense. His breath was unsteady against my hand.

“Since you won’t give me my freedom, I want Silvia to have a bedroom in this house. I also want her to stop working for you.” I said. “In return for my bravery, of course.”

He pondered on my reasonable request then nodded.

I smiled victoriously but it quickly turned into a smirk.

“I let Marcus touch me,” I finally said, leaning toward his lips. Lie. “His hands pleasured me,” I whispered— keeping my eyes on his lips. Lie. Moving my lips to his ear I pressed my body against his. “He held me and caressed me,” I whispered in his ear as I stood up on my toes. Lie. “But I only ever imagined it was you.”