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“Thank you for tonight. It was a lovely evening. When I was a little girl, I dreamed about going to the Camellia Ball.”
“I’m glad you finally had the chance.” He presses his lips to the top of my head. It feels like an intimate good-night kiss, not at all threatening. “Do you want anything before we go up?”
Before we go up?“You’re staying?”
“It is my house.” His mouth twitches at the corners, and his eyes glimmer with a hint of playfulness.
“It’s—it’s just that you don’t normally stay the night. At least not since I’ve been here.” I shrug, trying to cover my surprise with nonchalance.
“Is my staying a problem?” he asks, but as he turns out a light and moves toward the stairs, I know he’s staying regardless of my feelings.
At the bottom of the staircase, I gaze into his handsome face, and even though I’m a bit nervous of whatstayingmeans for me, I shake my head.
He motions for me to go up ahead of him, and I do, squeezing the railing as I climb.
When we get to the third floor, he lifts my chin and peers into my eyes. “Tell me what Tomas said to you.”
The butterflies swirl madly inside, like a storm is headed my way.He’ll know if you lie.
“It was strange,” I begin, trying to keep as close to the truth as possible. “He kept mentioning something about me living in New Bedford. I’m not sure if that’s what he believes, or if he was trying to get me to confirm it. He said he tracked me there.”
Antonio’s eyes flare, and his expression hardens as I watch. “Did he say anything else?” He releases his hold on my chin.
“Just some nonsense about his father enjoying being pushed in the garden. Then you came.”
He nods, studying my face carefully. I didn’t tell Antonio everything, but I didn’t lie. “I’m worried about Isabel and Valentina,” I continue. “New Bedford is not that far from Fall River.”
“Why would he want to harm Isabel?”
He’s probing.
I shrug. “Something about his behavior tonight—I can’t put my finger on it. But it gave me goose bumps.” I grasp his arm. “Would you consider putting more security on them?Please.” My voice wobbles as I plead—it’s not a manipulation. The more I think about it, the more worried I become.
He takes out his phone and places a call. “Double the security on Isabel and Valentina,” he instructs the person who answers. “Make sure there’s a guard on each of them at all times. Do it tonight.”
Without a thank-you, or a goodbye, he ends the call and slips the phone into his jacket.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
He sweeps a lock of hair behind my ear. “I want you in my bed tonight. And I don’t want you preoccupied with anyone’s safety but your own.”
67
Daniela
His voice is low and rough.
I swallow hard, but I don’t respond.
I’m a bundle of nerves, but I do want to be in his bed—although it’s still so damn hard to admit it—even to myself.Especially to myself.
Antonio runs his fingertips down my cheek. “I’m not Josh. Even when you haven’t pushed me to the end of my rope, even when I’m not enraged by your reckless behavior, I’m not the kind of man who’ll take you gently. I’m rough. Demanding. Selfish.”
His voice is coarse as gravel. His eyes are dark, danger dancing in the shadows.
It’s a warning.
“I don’t want you preoccupied with anyone’s safety but your own.”
