AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes. Stay where you are. I’m coming to you.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’re a real beast. Don’t think I won’t tell Aunt Vittoria what you’re doing.” She fisted my suit jacket.
“Oh yeah.” I chuckled, taking long strides toward the SUV. “What would you say exactly? That I saved you after the Alfera boy left you all alone with a bottle of champagne. Or that you were over-served in public?”
“No.” She wiggled to get away from me. When I held her legs tighter, she gave up and let herself hang heavy on my shoulder. “I’m going to tell her about the other thing.”
“The other thing?”
I turned the corner and met Alfred’s disapproving look. “Good evening, Mr. Gallo.” He held the door for us.
“Good evening, Alfred. How’s your night going?”
“Good.” He shook his head at me while I put Donata in the back seat.
I climbed in behind her and held her close to me, in case she had the bright idea to run off at the last minute and jump out of a moving car. Donata was that impulsive. She had little care for her safety.
“Home, sir?”
“You’re funny. No, we’re taking her to the Alfera penthouse.”
“Right away, sir.”
“Are you okay?” I cocked my head to look Donata in the eyes. “You got so quiet all a sudden.”
“Don’t talk.” She put her hand to my mouth. “You’re making the car go in circles.”
“That would be the alcohol, not me.”
The short drive to Enzo’s building was pure torture. I didn’t like how good Donata felt in my arms or how perfect we fit together. Every minute I spent with her, I realized how right I’d been to stay away from her all these years. She was trouble. More than that, Donata was dangerous. She could make any man lose his mind. Even now, I could feel myself drifting and losing track of what I had to do.
By the time Alfred pulled up to the curb, I was ready for this night to end. I didn’t wait for him to open the door; I climbed out and helped Donata out.
“Do you have a key?” I wrapped my arm around her waist to keep her close to me.
“No.”
“How are you going to get in?”
“Private elevator. They know me.”
“Of course they do.” I ushered her into the empty lobby. “Which way?”
“The end of the hallway.” She pointed up ahead to the elevator bay. Somehow, she managed to walk a straight line, almost making it before she stumbled, and I had to catch her. “You can go now.” She pressed the call button several times. As soon as the doors opened, she stepped inside and leaned against the wall. “As you can see, I’m perfectly safe.”
“You’re not home yet.” I walked in and pushed the PH button.
The doors closed, and the elevator car began its slow ascent to the top floor. Before we reached the penthouse, we stopped and were plunged into darkness. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. A part of me couldn’t help but blame this incident on Donata. It wasn’t fair, but that was the thing with her. Trouble followed her everywhere.
“It’s unnerving when you get all quiet like that.” I reached in the general direction where she’d been before the lights went out. I couldn’t see a thing. “Are you okay?”
“Don’t touch me.” She whimpered.
“What?” The sound she made broke my heart in two.
“Stop it.” Her breathing became erratic as if she was having a panic attack.
