My breathing quickened. What he was saying was true. During those days in Castello dell'Fiero, I ignored his orders and insisted that the security guards who patrolled the premises, or soldati, as he called them, addressed me by my name. I couldn't stand formalities, let alone them controlling how I interacted with other human beings. But I hadn't expected them to tell him.
“How people address me is my God damn problem, not yours” I challenged.
Camillo laughed, and his warm breath, mingled with coffee and fresh mint, brushed my cheek. “No... Daisy. It's not your problem.” His mouth came dangerously close to mine. "In caseyou haven't noticed, I'm the one who gives the orders around here, and I don't allow any man but me to call you Daisy.Capisci?"
“No, I don't ‘capisci’ anything.” I growled in the same low, harsh tone, puffing out my chest and holding his gaze. Our noses touched lightly. “You have no right to decide these things. It's my life.”
“Wrong. Your life is mine to do with as I please.” My heart was pounding in my chest. My gaze was unable to break away from his. “We can get along like two civilized human beings, with you following orders and me trying to make your stay as pleasant as possible, or we can both be ignorant.”
“I'm not afraid of your threats...” I retorted, my breathing too rapid to push him away.
Or maybe I didn't want to.
“For everyone's sake, you'd better obey,Daisy.”
“If not?”
I hadn't even finished the question.
His lips collided with mine.
I clenched my fists, punching his chest, trying to push him away. But when his strong arms wrapped around my waist, I felt myself melt against the warmth of his strong chest, and my lips parted, letting him in.
He tasted of mint, coffee, and pistachio, and I closed my eyes and let myself savor him, forgetting where I was and who hewas. Who we were in each other's lives. His scent of liquor and caramel marking my skin like a hot iron.
He broke the kiss as if I had electrocuted him, pulling away.
“Scusa. I shouldn't—” He gasped, turning on his heel and bolting out of the kitchen, leaving me breathless and unable to react, still processing what had just happened.
I just kissed my kidnapper.
Worse than that, I liked it.
Chapter 30
Daisy Peonia Mary Parker
July, 2025
Castello dell’Fiero, Calabria, Italy
“Luca, I'm sorry...” The Italian avoided eye contact with me. He stood with his arms crossed over his chest and sunglasses on, watching people work between the vineyard rows. "I didn't mean to disrespect you!”
Luca Condello was a sentimental son of a bitch, and there was no other way to put it. He hadn't spoken to me for four days. Whenever it was time for me to call home, he just waved the phone at me like I was some dog, and when I tried to apologize the first time, he replied that he didn't expect me to have the indecency to betray his trust like that after he’d even introduced me to his wife.
“COME ON! You’re going to have to talk to me sooner or later!” I pleaded, grabbing his shoulder. He just turned hisface away with a look of contempt. Roasting under the sun, I noticed his bald head starting to burn, and a mischievous smile spread across my face. "Okay. Okay! Don't complain later. You heard Olivia a little while ago. Case officially closed. Soon, you know… Chop chop, head off. It'll be over! There will be no more Daisy, and you'll regret not talking to me.“ Luca straightened up, turning to me with a jolt, taking off his glasses and staring in horror. ”Tsk. My soul will come back to haunt you. That's a promise!"
“Signorina!” He shook his hands and glasses. “Don’t say things like that!”
I laughed heartily and decided to tease him. “Oh...! Looks like the guilt’s already kicking in.”
Luca put his sunglasses back on and cleared his throat, turning back to the vineyard. “Signorina, you have no word,” he grumbled, and I narrowed my eyes. Was he really going to keep throwing that on my face? “You remind me of my daughter Francesca. That ragazza doesn't know how to keep her promises either.”
I sighed, more relieved than satisfied. “She seems like a wonderful girl to me.”
He snorted and shook his head. “She's just like you, Signorina. A babbea.”
“What does that mean?”
