Page 21 of Flowers and Moonlight
When we break apart, Tony practically shoves him off the bed which has Zeno laughing. Before I can join him, Tony’s lips are pressed against mine and I’m melting into the bed below me. I swear these men can make my brain turn to mush and I’m not the least bit upset about it.
I love it.
I love them.
Woah.
When Tony pulls away from me, he stares into my eyes and studies me. When he cocks his head to the side and smiles slowly, I swear he can read my thoughts. It doesn’t make me want to run; it makes me want to embrace my feelings.
Tony rolls off me and Zeno scoops me up into his arms to carry me into the bathroom. That’s when I realize I don’t have anything to wear and my cheeks heat. Even if they hadn’t destroyed the dress I was wearing last night, I wouldn’t want to put it on again. It so wasn’t me.
Zeno grasps my chin between his thumb and forefinger to tilt my head up so I’m looking into his eyes. I could get lost in the way the gray swirls with the black flecks there, remindingme of storm clouds right before the sun breaks through them to remind you all storms come to an end.
“You destroyed my dress, not that I wanted to wear it again, but now I don’t really have any options,” I point out gently.
Zeno grins at me and kisses me on the forehead before whispering against my skin, “Take a shower and I’ll go up to the main house to grab something for you to wear. I’m sure Jasmine has something you can borrow.”
I try to shake my head, but his grip on my chin doesn’t allow me much room. “I don’t want to put anyone out,” I protest.
“You won’t be,” he promises before kissing me softly again and disappears.
While I’m in the shower I think over how quickly my life has changed. I can’t say I mind because what I’m being offered feels better, richer, than the life I was living before. I was going through the motions every day, but not really living. With Tony and Zeno, it feels like I’ll finally have the chance to enjoy life.
I think my mom would support me and the choice I’m making, even if it is being with two men. Who doesn’t want two men who treat me the way they do? I can only hope I don’t have to remind them twice as much to put the toilet seat down.
When I step out of the shower, I almost laugh because the toilet seat is down right now. Maybe that won’t be the hill I have to die on…over and over again.
On the bed there’s a dress and sweater waiting for me along with underwear with the tags still attached. I almost blush at the thought that Zeno had to go and ask his boss’ wife for them, but I’m also grateful for it. The dress has a reinforced bust in it even though I still wouldn’t normally go without a bra, but it’ll work.
I dress quickly and find a cup of coffee waiting for me downstairs and my men promise me real food after things with my father is taken care of. I’m glad, I don’t think I could eat anyway considering my stomach is in knots at the thought of facing my father. He has a way of making me feel so fucking small, but Zeno and Tony make me feel larger than life and that’s the feeling I want to grab a hold of.
When we step outside of the cottage, I’m surprised when Dante Guidice is standing there along with a woman I can only assume is his wife, Jasmine. She flashes me a bright smile and closes the distance between us. I hold my hand out, preparing for a handshake, but she pulls me into her arms instead, giving me a big hug.
“It’s so good to have another woman around here,” she whispers, causing me to laugh. When she pulls back, she winks. “I’m Jasmine and that is my husband, Dante.”
She introduces him like he’s just a normal guy, but I know the power he has. It’s kind of comforting. I feel comfortable with her immediately, but I’m sure she can wield the power she has with efficiency if she needs to.
Dante nods at me with his wife’s words as he looks at her with so much love in his eyes. He looks at her the same way my guys look at me. Could they love me too?
Tony clears his throat and asks, “What are you doing here, boss?”
“You thought you were going to have all the fun?” Dante makes a tsking sound. “I’ve been waiting for the day I could put Moreau in his place and if today is the day, then so be it.”
We pile into two vehicles with Tony driving Dante and Jasmine while Zeno drives me. My nerves kick in as we headtoward the only home I’ve ever known, but Zeno reaches over and places his hand on my thigh, and it relaxes me. This isn’t going to be pleasant, but it’s necessary.
I square my shoulders when we pull up, putting armor on I didn’t even realize I had inside of me. Nothing my father can say will hurt me, not now. He was going to use me, he doesn’t deserve to have any more power over me or my feelings.
With my head held high and one of my men at my back, I head toward the front door. I don’t get the chance to knock, because I won’t be just walking into a house that isn’t my home anymore, before the door swings open and my father’s gaze locks onto me.
His face is red and contorted with rage. My first instinct is to take a step back, but I know Zeno is right there and then Tony along with Dante and Jasmine. He hasn’t noticed the rest of my entourage, which is kind of a strange way to refer to them considering they’re the most powerful people in the city, but it is what it is.
“How fucking dare you embarrass me the way you did last night. Do you have any idea what you have done?”
My father reaches out as if to grab me and Zeno slides in front of me, his face a stoic mask that promises violence and blood. His voice is like a whip, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, I’m looking for a reason to end your sorry excuse of a life.”
Dad blinks, takes in the rest of the people with me and fumbles over his words, “Wh-what is the meaning of this?”
Dante’s voice is smooth like silk from behind me, “It seems like we have many things to discuss Bernard. Let us into your,” his voice drips with condescension, “home.”
