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“Because I knew you would torture him if I didn’t. Now I’m begging you, for me, don’t hurt him.”
I run my tongue under my lip.
She’s asking for a favor. We’re getting somewhere in this bizarre relationship.
“You were a good rabbit today. I’ll consider it.”
Chapter 11
Ellie
Weeks go by in the luxury hotel that is the Valentino safe house. Donny proved he didn’t kill Branzino by taking me for his next collection. A sign of good faith. He said he’s going to keep him at arm’s length. I trust him… I guess.
We had another moment last week. I almost let him fuck me. Almost. But I still like being alive better than sex. I just don’t know how much longer that logic is going to last. Whenever he strolls in, my heart flutters. When he drops his gun on the counter, I get wet. When he eyes me… it takes almost everything not to stick my hand down to my slit.
He’s the hottest man I’ve ever known. And the most capable.
I’m falling for my captor. I think of him every morning when I wake up, and every night before bed. He brings me gifts from his clients. A bouquet of roses from the flower shop. Some DVDs since I have no internet.
He’s allowed me more freedoms too. I take walks with Sabrina now. We’re in the vicinity of his watchful eye – the cameras stationed all through the sticks – but it’s still better than nothing. My proximity is increasing. Our trust… is increasing.
Like I’m part of his family in an off-beat, strange way. We make a good team when we’re out. I didn’t realize how much I knew just by growing up around mobsters. And I’d rather help him than my sleaze of a brother.
Does that make me a traitor?
I don’t know. But I would never have opened my mouth if my father were still in charge.
I stopped flirting with Sal since Donny and I are on better terms. I’m still nice to him, though. He’s a fun guy and always treats me with respect – save for that initial meeting with Don Gio.
Tonight marks one and a half months being in the custody of the Valentinos. To think, I should be dead right now, or used to no end in the hands of the Russians. But I’m still here, in an enclosed paradise.
I sit at the island in the kitchen, drinking a glass of premium red wine. It’s late… almost midnight. No one is in the house except for me and Sabrina – who’s sleeping in her quarters.
I’m feeling particularly horny, and the sex gods answer with two headlights beaming through the dark windows near the front of the house.
Donny.
He’s here.
I think of excuses he can tell his friends when they show up with him, but to my surprise, he opens the door alone.
He locks it behind him, then undoes his tie and unbuttons his shirt. Wallet, money clip, knife, all comes out of his pocket. He slaps them on the granite and stares at me.
“I thought you were in the city tonight,” I say, swirling my wine glass.
He saunters around the island, his expensive loafers clacking over the marble floors. “I wanted to see you. Needed to make sure you were being a good little rabbit.”
I purse my lips. “You know, I never got my cut from the Barone poker game. I did sacrifice my dignity so you had cause to rough up the host.”
Donny belly laughs, and it makes me smile. “I pay you in freedoms, Ellie. You’ve been earning.”
He comes closer still, to the point where I can smell a hint of cologne wafting off of him. His body gives off so much heat, like he just ran a marathon or, more likely, just crawled out of hell. My eyes glance at his muscular arms bulging through his dress shirt, then linger on his knuckles.
I gasp when I see dried blood, and the hint of a metallic odor hits me.
“Donny!” I grab his arm and bring him to the sink.
I douse my hand in soap and rub it over his knuckles. He doesn’t so much as flinch.
