“Put me down!” I hissed, giving his shin a kick.
I knew better than to call for help. His word against mine, and the boss would think I invited the attention. I knew how men like this operated.
“Be a good girl and let me have a taste,” he rasped, lips brushing against my skin. “Don’t make me take it.”
I didn’t hesitate. I reared back, knowing what came next would hurt, but I was a fighter, dammit! My pain would be ten times as deep if I didn’t get away. Twisting an inch, I moved.
And slammed my skull straight into his fat face.
He howled.
I was ready to run the moment his grip loosened.
It never did.
Slamming me against the island, he pinched my face tightly between his fingers. That grip was a vise. The insides of my cheeks threatened to be cut against my teeth.
“You just made this worse for yourself,” he snarled. “I’ll make you regret it.Slowly.”
His body pressed against mine. He was soft and pudgy in every place but one. A wash of fear spread through me. It left me paralyzed.
I couldn’t even breathe.
Which gave the gross fucker the opening to reach his hand down my thigh, tugging at the skirt of the uniform. When those sausage fingers brushed against my tights, I jolted.
He laughed.
The nob rattled, and the back door creaked open. Cool night air slipped in with the sharp, yellow glow of the floodlight.
“Capello,” a low, rough voice commanded. “Step away from the maid.”
Pressed against the counter, I couldn’t turn to look. But I knew that voice.
I struggled and pushed, but the bastard held me in place.
“We’re having a little chat about hospitality,” the demonic sonofabitch said pleasantly. “Nothing to concern yourself with, principe.”
Footsteps echoed off the floor.
I latched onto the sound like a lifeline.
They took their sweet time going around the island. For a desperate second, I was scared the Grimaldi heir was leaving me to my fate.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Capello,” Dominico responded, voice steady and certain. It might be easily confused with boredom, but I caught the undercurrent simmering behind his words. “You touched something that isn’t yours.”
I kicked out and managed to land a blow to my captor’s knee. He groaned, and there was a small release in the tension that held me in place. I seized the opening, thrashing wildly.
Suddenly, the pressure was gone.
Rearing back, I scooted away. Unfortunately, in the rush of panic, my balance was shit. My arms windmilled, but I ended up half falling against the opposite counter.
It didn’t matter.
Dominico had the goon pinned against the island—exactly the same way I’d just been pinned.
“Please, Signore, I didn’t mean anything by it! She was helping me get some ice!” the goon pleaded.
“This is my house, which means those who live and work here are under my protection,” Dominico snarled.
