AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Fuck you!” I spit.
“We’re wasting time. Greta doesn’t know the city well and has no money, so she can’t have gotten far,” Lorenzo interrupts my and Boian’sstandoff.
Fuming, I turn blazing eyes to him. “Every one of my enemies is after her, and without my name to protect her, she’s open game.”
“Then pull your shit together, and let’s find her before they do,” Boian grumbles, and I know he’s right. I need to pull myself together. This is not the time to lose control, but the thought of Greta being out in the city alone and at my enemies’ mercy is enough to fray any control I have left. The only thing keeping me from losing it entirely is the knowledge that Greta didn’t betray me. Still, her belief that I would sell women and children into slavery and her right alongside them,cuts deep.
“You’re right, my friend. Lorenzo, I want footage from any cameras in a five-mile radius.”
“Sì,Padrone.”
“Marco, you’re on the streets with the others. I want this city swept from one street tothe next.”
“Sì.”
“Boian, I want an update on any movement from Stefan Vasile or whatever fucking name hegoes by.”
“Sì,Signore,” he says but doesn’t move from his spot. “We will get her back, Emil,” he affirms, then walks out of my office, where I’m left alone with only mythoughts.
Sheleft me.
I want to hate her for it. Hate her for not trusting me. Hate her for making me feel helpless. But I can’t seem to find it in me to hate this woman. After all, she has every reason not to trust me. I took her, threatened her sisters’ lives, and had her punished and humiliated. Still, her believing the worst of me has my chest tightening and my throat tightening with rage. I still plan on telling her I love her the moment she’s in my arms again.
Right before I redden that sweet ass of hers for running from me.
3
Greta
Bolzano is a city in the South Tyrol province of northern Italy. It’s set in a valley amidst hilly vineyards and the gateway to the Dolomites Mountain range in the Italian Alps. The city is full of history with the imposing 13th-centuryMareccioCastle and theDuomo di Bolzanocathedral with its Romanesque and gothic architecture. It’s like a fairy tale land tucked away in itsown world.
Sebastian’s home, however, shatters that fairy tale with its three-level, boxy concrete and glass exterior. While the grounds are green and plush with domestic shrubs, flowers, and trees, the house is a contemporary stain upon the ancient city—all wrapped with a pretty little bow in the form of a twelve-foot stone wall with a sizable steel gate.
The moment the car comes to a stop in front of the cube-style home, I scan the area and count no less than five cameras. And those are just the ones visible to thenaked eye.
My door opens right as I glimpse the back of a suited gentleman rounding the corner of the house. “Are you coming,Piccolo Uccello?” Sebastian asks, his hand held out in offering. An offering I don’t take as I unfold myself from the Porsche and stand next to my supposed husband.
“I told you not to call me that. I’m not your anything,” I huff and step around him, arms crossed overmy chest.
“My apologies,” he sighs. “It will take time for me to come to terms with your … mental state. But I have no doubt all will come back to you as we spend more time together.” He steps into me, and I dig my nails into my arms like a cat ready to pounce on an unsuspecting mouse. His fingers ghost over my cheek to a lock of my hair. He tucks it gently behind my ear before cupping my cheek. “You will remember me, Greta. We have all the time in the world.” His words are spoken softly, but his tone harbors a bite of a threat behind the loving façade. He releases my cheek and guides me to the front door with a possessive hand on the small of my back.
As we approach the glass door, a petite, lithe figure approaches, and for one hopeful second, my heart leaps at the thought of seeing Camil’s smiling face. But that hope is dashed when the stern glare of a woman barely older than me stares back at me with fierce black eyes. “Greta, this isSignoraRossi, my housemanager.”
The woman’s eyes narrow on me when I do not respond. “So, she still pretends to not know?” she asks Sebastianhaughtily.
My hackles rise at her speaking as though I’m not there. “I don’t remember because this is all bullshit!” I grit and feel Sebastian’s fingers dig into my back before he leans into my ear.
“Be nice, little Greta. I’m being patient with you, but I won’t allow you to disrespect my staff,” he warns, then presses a kiss to my cheek before guiding me inside the glass and concrete box he calls home.
Though the exterior leaves much to be desired, I must admit the interior is beautiful. There’s a large living area overlooking the mountains and the swimming pool. Large windows characterize the property and give a breathtaking view from every corner ofthe house.
“There are four levels. The basement has a spa, indoor swimming pool, gym, and garage. Our bedroom is on the second floor with a spectacular view of the mountains. It has a fireplace, a bathroom with a jacuzzi, and direct access to the solarium. This floor has two bedrooms, the main living area, kitchen, dining room, and my office.”
“And where will I be staying?” I turn toSebastian.
A charming grin stretches his lips before he schools his features and answers, “You will stay in our room. The room is plenty big, as well asthe bed.”
“No. I will not sleep in bed with astranger.”
