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Satisfaction flashes across his face. Releasing me, he takes a step back. “Good. Finish your story.” He moves back to the couch, looking a little calmer.
Sucking in a breath, my hand comes up, rubbing the spot he just held. Though I somehow already knew it, with that one action, it made me realize that within seconds, a mere tightening of his hand, he could take my life. I can only hope that somewhere deep inside him he still has feelings for me and will show me some mercy.
“I wasn’t going to accept the fate my father had chosen for me, and I found my out. My mother would usually attend all my ballet classes with me, but fortunately, one day she was too sick to come, so my driver took me. I knew it was my only chance, so I packed some belongings in my ballet duffle, took my fake ID and the money I had saved. I said goodbye to my parents and brother, like I usually would. I was as normal as I could be. When we arrived at the studio, I knew Colin would wait in the car. Before I even made it inside, he was distracted by something on his phone. I used that distraction and ran. I ended up at a bus terminal, and you know the rest. I found myself in New York. The moment I left, I became Ocean and that is who I am. I never want to be Emilee Caldwell again.” I finish with conviction.
Understanding passes between us and he nods. Rising, he closes the distance between us. I recoil slightly, which makes him pause. Confusion flickers in his eyes. I don’t know why. He was the one with his hands wrapped around me not even five minutes ago. He moves closer, his hands landing on the arms of the chair. All the air leaves my lungs when he bends toward me. Leaning in, his hot breath caresses my ear, sending a shiver running down my spine. I shudder when his tongue runs a wet hot trail down my neck.
“Hmm, so fucking sweet,Tesoro.”
“Please don’t.” I choke out, through the thickness in my throat. He is married. I am not going to do this with him.
He pulls back, his eyes narrowing in on me. “I will touch you when and how I want, baby. And trust me when I say, you will want it. Beg for it even.”
Shaking my head, I whisper, “You’re married.”
He smirks, leaning in so close his lips touch mine. “That won’t stop me. You’re mine and I intend on reminding you of that fact.”
Chapter12
Nico
“Iwant you to find out everything you can about Wesley and Xavier Anderson.Everything. I want no stone left unturned.” I bark the order at Tony. Next, I will be contacting my PI and demanding the same. I want to know about the man myTesorowas promised to. The man that was meant to take her virginity. Just the thought of that fucker’s dirty hands on her perfect skin makes me see red.
“As in Wesley Anderson, the Mayor of Seattle?” Tony asks, curiosity lacing his tone.
“Yes, as in him. Find out everything. I want to know about every single skeleton in his closet and, more importantly, his son, Xavier’s. I want every single piece of information you can get, right down to their shoe size and their fucking medical records.”
An exasperated sigh sounds down the line. I grip my cell tighter, waiting for the inevitable questions. “Nico, what’s this all about? And what shit are you getting me into now?”
My jaw clenches, anger heating my blood. “I pay you enough money not to ask me questions, Tony. Now get me what I need.” I hang up before he can say more. Fucker doesn’t need to know anything. He just needs to get me the information I want. After all, it is what I fucking pay him for.
After my conversation with Ocean last night, I came to my office. I have never felt remorse in my life, it’s not an emotion I allow myself to feel. But the fear I saw in her eyes when I wrapped my hand around her throat… guilt hit me square in the chest, making me want to beg her for forgiveness.
Ocean thinks I’m a monster. And I am. But no matter how angry I feel toward her, I don’t ever want her to cower or feel unsafe in my presence. Yes, she fucked up with her actions, but I’m no saint. Christ, she thinks I’m married to another woman and I haven’t corrected her on the matter. I should tell her the truth. But a part of me wants to torment her, like she tormented me for over a year.
I scrub a frustrated palm down my face. Jesus, my thoughts are so contradictory it would be laughable if the situation wasn’t so fucked up. She gets under my skin. So deep, I lose all control. I shake my head, knowing that I need to get my shit together.
Clicking on my emails, I type out the information that I am after and send it over to my PI. Just as I pull up the security cameras I had installed in Ocean’s room, Dante strides inside. I glower at him.
“Don’t you ever knock?” The memory of Ocean saying the same thing to me not even an hour ago flickers through my mind. I smirk. I love her defiance almost as much as I love her submission. No woman has ever gotten to me like she has, and I thrive on wondering what she will do next.
He glances up from his cell. “I thought you would like to know that the shipment came in. Everything is accounted for and there were no problems.”
I nod, satisfaction filling me. “I think changing the location of our warehouse helped. I know full well the Bratva have eyes on our usual sites.”
“I agree.” He drops down in the seat in front of my desk. “It also helps that our men are now loyal. They respect you, Nico. I think you becoming Don is the exact influence thefamiglianeeded. It solidified loyalty. They have confidence in you and how you are running things.”
I watch him, settling back in my seat as I mull over his words. Dante’s right. In the year since my papà passed things have progressively improved. Though it’s hard for me to trust anyone but Dante, my mamma, and sister, I trust my men more now than I ever did when Papà was Don.
“Yeah,” I agree. “I will be happier when this shit with the Bratva is under control though.”
He sighs, scrubbing a palm across his mouth. “Nic, I know it’s probably the last thing on your mind, what with everything going on with Ocean and Romeo, but are you any further forward with getting Allegra out of the contract with the Romanos?” I frown, looking at him. Like really look at him. The concern in his eyes. The weariness on his face. It has taken a lot for him to come in here and ask me this. I just wish I could give him the answer he so desperately wants to hear.
I shake my head. “Not yet. But I will.” I promise him, even if it is a lie. The contract is sealed tight. Iron clad. With no stone left unturned, I’ve had my lawyers pore over it for hours upon hours and still they can’t find a way out. The only way to do so is to go to war. Hmmm, or for Riccardo to have an “accident”, and if that can be blamed on the Bratva, even better. I sigh, remembering that it would not only mean a war with the Romanos but with the entire commission. It would be suicide. Still, knowing all that, I won’t allow my sister to marry Riccardo. I just need to get everything in order before I plan my next move.
Leaning forward, his arms drop to his knees, his eyes imploring. He lets me see everything he usually hides. All the emotion currently running through him. “I won’t be without her, Nic.”
My eyes narrow in on him when I remember something. “Dante, you’re my best friend and I love you, but if I find out you’ve…” I trail off, grimacing as I try to find the right word. “Fornicated with my sister out of wedlock, then I will kill you. The Romanos will kill Allegra if they get their hands on her and find out she is impure.”
