AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Can I suggest a shower first?” he chuckled, nodding down at my trousers. I groaned and pushed past him, slamming a door shut to one of the dressing rooms. They had walk-in showers for the workers to freshen up in and I stripped out of my clothes and stood under the scalding water. I closed my eyes and leaned my forehead against the cold, porcelain tiles.
Within seconds, I was laughing. Laughing like a complete nutter who had lost his mind. Fuck, maybe I had. Because as I replayed that entire scene in my head, not only was I starting to get horny again, but I was fucking impressed. The girl completely blindsided me. No one had ever dared to do that in my entire life.
I switched the shower off and dried myself with a towel, feeling a wash of calm come over me. She may think she has escaped me, but she has only made me want her more. Her plan has completely backfired.
One of my men had placed some fresh clothes on the vanity table. I always had a spare outfit if needed. In my line of work, you never know when you might need to change out of bloodstained, ripped or torn clothes and in this case, cum-stained. Not the worst reason, I guess. I chuckled again as I pulled a black T-shirt over my head and walked out to the main bar.
I sat down at the table Fabi and Lorenzo were at, a whiskey instantly placed in front of me. I downed it in one go before either of them spoke.
“Flora. She’ll no longer be working here,” I stated, turning to Lorenzo.
His eyebrows furrowed and his lips parted. “Honestly, Alessio. She was trained well. She had a lot of experience and great potential to do well in bringing in repeat customers, I don’t know-”
I shook my head. “No. You were right. She was fucking good. Too good for this place. I didn’t fire her. She quit.”
His frown deepened. “She quit?”
“That’s what I said,” I leaned back, lifting my arm against the back of the leather chair in the booth. “I want her details. Everything you have on her.”
“But… why?” Lorenzo asked, before he avoided my glare. He lifted his drink to his lips and summoned one of his men over with an iPad.
“I take it you want to steal her for one of your own clubs?” he chuckled, pulling up her profile.
“Maybe,” I lied, reaching out and taking the tablet from him. My eyes narrowed on the photo of a pretty brunette with dark brown eyes and full lips. Emmeline Strazi. I scrutinised the picture carefully. I knew she was wearing a wig and lace mask, but this wasn’t how I expected her to look in real life. She seemed paler in the picture. And her nose was different. There was something missing. A fire in her eyes.
“Are you sure this is her? Flora? She was tanned,” I questioned, scrolling through her CV. Lorenzo was right. She had a lot of experience working bars, clubs and stripping.
“The one and only. They all get spray tans before they start.”
I pulled out my phone and took down her phone number, street address and snapped a picture of her profile. I smirked as I saved her number in my phone. She thinks she can run from me. Doesn’t she know, panthers are the stealthiest of hunters and she just initiated the chase…
The Next Best Thing
I was still on cloud nine when I made it down to breakfast the next morning. I couldn’t wipe the smug grin off my face. I had never felt so proud of myself. Not only had I managed to experience something new and seriously risky without being caught, but I also showed a man who thought the world revolved around him that he couldn’t walk all over me. I had spent most of the night wondering how long he stayed handcuffed to that wall until someone found him and would find myself bursting into fits of giggles, which earned some strange looks from Finn.
“Any plans for today, Elle?” Mamma asked, picking at her croissant.
“No, I gave Finn the day off because I am just going to stay home.” I bit into a strawberry. “I plan to just chill. Relax by the pool. Read a book. The last few days have been entertaining enough.”
“Oh really? How so?” Max asked from his position at the head of the table. He would never admit it because he respected Giovanni too much, but he loved sitting in the boss’ chair.
“Just you know, the wedding… the gallery last night. Busy few days,” I smiled and he nodded. “I am looking forward to a drama-free day. Until the King and Queen return tomorrow, of course.”
“That’s not like you,” Mamma smirked, “Drama-free? Are you feeling alright, dolcezza?”
I gave her a cheeky grin as I tilted my head on the side. “What are your plans today, mamma?”
“Oh, I think I am going to go with the bambini to get ice-cream at the piazza.”
“And will a certain gentleman be escorting you?” I winked. The glare she gave me could have frozen fire.
“If you mean Marco, of course he will. He is their personal bodyguard,” she replied defensively as Maximus looked between us with interest. I shrugged and picked up my plate, shoving it in the dishwasher before making my way out to the pool. Removing my sundress, I laid back on the sun lounger in my bikini and picked up my book to start my day of relaxation. Going to that club and sneaking out from under my family and the soldiers’ noses had managed to settle an agitation from deep within. I had proved that I could look after myself and I didn’t need their protection twenty-four-seven. I hadn’t felt this relaxed and happy in… well, years. But I wasn’t going to make a habit of it. The stress would age me far too quickly. The bags under my eyes were already showing!
My phone vibrated on the little table next to me and I lowered my book, balancing it on my stomach to check my messages.
One from Sephie and one from… Rico. I sat up, lifting my sunglasses and placing them on my head.
Sephie’s text was in Italian and read: I am still in awe of you. Next time you hit up the sex clubs again, take me with you. I want a Mr Panther to play with too. X
