Page 19

After an hour passes, Cosimo walks into my study, a laptop under his arm.

“Matteo, you wanted this,” he comments, setting the sleek silver laptop on my desk. “It has a password, so you’re definitely going to need Rocco to take a look at it.”

He moves to pour himself a drink, and I hold out my glass so he can refill it. Once he hands it back to me, I gesture for him to sit down.

“Thank you,” I say quietly. “For sorting out this problem for me.”

Cosimo eyes me out. “Why is this girl so important?”

“I’m not entirely sure of the plan yet, but I know it involves her,” I say, sipping my drink.

Cosimo takes out his phone and types something on it. “The Bianchis aren’t going to be very happy when they find out you’ve kidnapped their baby sister.”

“I don’t need them to be happy. I need them to be cooperative.”

“So you’re using her as a bargaining chip?” Cosimo asks, downing half his drink.

I shake my head. “I told you I’m not entirely sure what the plan is yet.”

Cosimo downs the rest of his drink and sets the glass down for Maria to clean up.

“You’re a filthy animal,” I comment. “At least put the glass back on the tray.”

He rolls his eyes and picks up the glass, setting it on the tray. “Happy? I’ve got to go; I’m meeting someone.”

“A girl?” I ask.

“Just someone.” He smirks and walks out.

I pick up my phone and text Rocco.

I need you to unlock a laptop for me.

A bubble appears next to Rocco’s profile picture.

Tomorrow. On a date.

My brothers are whores.

I set the phone down and look around. Alone again. I get up and walk upstairs. I need to sleep. I hit the top of the stairs, and I’m overwhelmed with thoughts of Guilia. Her bloody, battered body. Her in those heels at the casino. That dress.

I stroll down the passage toward my bedroom, but my intrusive thoughts make me divert to the guest room. I stand outside, and I can hear Maria talking to Guilia, but I can’t make out what they’re saying through the closed door.

I fight an inner battle. Do I go in? Do I not? She probably hates me right now because I’ve taken her prisoner. Do I want to see that hate in her eyes when my fantasy is to see her eyes looking up at me while she sucks my dick?

I know Maria would have locked the door behind her, so I knock lightly. Maria opens the door, and I step in. Funny, why is my heart suddenly racing?

I look at Guilia standing near the sofa in the room. She has showered; her hair is wet. It’s also dripping onto the shirt that Maria’s given her. She’s in a pair of slacks and a t-shirt and no bra; I can tell by her full, perky breasts.

I notice she’s barefoot, and for some odd reason that makes her more alluring. Everything about her is just fucking sexy.

Her hands are bandaged, and there’s a plaster on her forehead. Her eye is starting to bruise slightly in the corner. Hopefully it won’t swell shut, but then I think I’ll still find her attractive, knowing how she kicks ass.

She glares at me as I walk over toward her. My heart pounds so loud I’m sure she can hear it.

“What do you want?” she spits at me as though I’m some interloper who has come to harm her.

I suppose it seems that way. I can see it from her point of view. There’s that hate in her eyes that I knew would be waiting for me. Those big, round eyes that should look innocent but betray a darker, feistier side of her.