Caterina
I’m going to be sick.
No matter how many times I look at this blown–up photo, it neverganges. I need to stop staring at makes me feel a little more anseous every time I do
My first worry is my dati
No matter what, he can’t find out. I’d never be able to exin myself. And then there’s Tatiune.
Gianni notices what I’m holding and gestures for me to share it, sing down the little package he was carrying before crossing the room. “What’s the problem? Whatever it is, we’ll work it out together.”
I want more than anything to believe him, but he’s a big part of the problem, so I’m not sure how he’d help–aside from promising to never touch me again, and I already know how it goes when he tries that. It’s a waste of time that makes us both miserable, and we only end up together in the end.
“Promise you won’t get mad?”
pina
He arches an eyebrow, his mouth screwing up in a smirk. Even now, with my vision blurred, thanks to all the crying, Tean’t look at him without wondering how anybody could be so handsome. It’s unreal the way he makes a polo shirt and dress pants look like they came out of a magazine spread. Ultra–masculine andmanding My panties would melt right off if I wasn’t feeling
so crushed
“I’ll do my best,” he mutters dryly before curling his fingers in a gesture that sayshand it over already
So, I do. And now he has the pleasure of seeing photographic evidence of the two of us kissing outside the club on Friday night, in the alley where I figured nobody could see. One of his hands cups the back of my head, and the other is pressed against my Jower back.
I remember how it felt. The way my heart raced, the heat that red hot in my core. Thefort and surrender of being in his
Now I get to see what it looked like.
And so <b>does </b>zi
As I watch, his features pinch together, his face going red. It’s not embarrassment. It’s anger, the way I knew it would be. As soon as opened the envelope and looked at what was inside, my first thought was of him and how enraged he’d be if I told him. Thad to because what am I supposed <b>to </b><b>do </b>about it on my own? There are a lot of things <b>I </b>can keep quiet about, and lord knows I’ve been keeping secrets all summer.
No, this is bigger than that. Potentially explosive. It could blow up in both our faces.
“Where the fuck did you get this?” He nces away from the picture just long enough to lock eyes with me before returning to it.
I can’t tell him, at least not right now, while it’s all fresh. He’d kill Luciano for this. Not that I’ve never wanted to kill him myself, but I wasn’t being literal “Does it matter? Somebody’s following me around and taking pictures of me. Do you know what would happen if this got out? If my dad ever found out? He’d kill me.
“I doubt he would actually kill you.” His hands are practically vibrating, and the photo along with them. “Disown you? Maybe And it isn’t like this proves anything, We kissed. Is that a federal crime?”
“You know <b>what </b>I’m trying to say.”
“You’re trying to say your bulldog of a father would <b>never </b>let it go
My heart shudders at the nastiness in his voice. “What makes you say it that way?
He lifts <b>a </b>shoulder. “From what you’ve told me about him.” No, that doesn’t feel true. The way he said it. It sounded like he knew what he was talking about. From experience<b>, </b>maybe
+25 BONU
“Anyway,” he continues, “you’re a grown woman.
life. You can kiss or fuck whoever you want.”
“And if you saw Tatiana with somebody your age, you wouldn’t cap? All I can do is shake my head. “You don’t know how it is,” insist when he scoffs. “My mom died, and became the center of his world. All he has is me and his work. He would go on a rampage ? if he found out I was with you.‘
Finally, <b>I </b>have no choice but to say it. “And he might make life miserable for you, even if I beg him not to.”
The light in his eyes dims, and darkness takes its ce. Now he gets it. What I didn’t want to say, but where my mind went immediately upon seeing the ck–and–white image. If my father wanted to get revenge, he wouldn’t have to try hard to interfere in nni’s professional and persocial life
His nostrils re, and his ja ti
tightens, but he keeps a hold of himself. “He would do that?”
“Are you kidding me? In a heartbeat. I came here because, even though I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to stay away from you, was still a better option than moving back home. He means well, add because I feel like I have to. Otherwise, it’s like I’m being ungrateful. Disloyal
“He would be that vindictive?”
“That’s not the only problem we have “I don’t want to talk <b>about </b>my father anymore. I don’t like the look he <b>has </b>on his face. The tension grows between us, and all it’s going to take is the strike of a match to make him explode. “Somebody is following me, and I’m scared, <b>Gianni</b>.” I hate the anguish that fills my voice, I don’t know what to do.”
“I think I need a drink.” He’s holding the photo in one hand as he crosses the room and pours a drink with the other. <b>As </b>he does. I watch the photo crumple in his tightening fist
<b>“</b>So that’s how she knew,” he mutters, his back turned to me.
“Who? What <b>are </b>you talking about?”
Instead of answering, he takes a long gulp from his <b>ss</b>. “I don’t think it’s you the photographer was following. If that makes <b>you </b>feel any better.”
My heart shudders, ‘
“What do you mean? Are they following you? Why is somebody following you?”
“My ex is a vindictive, greedy bitch,” he spits.
I can’t help wincing at his bitterness. “Tatiana’s mom?”
ΤΗ
His head bobs up and down before he turns slowly. I wouldn’t want him looking at me the way he now stares down at his clenched fist, holding, the crumpled picture. “Things have been bad for a long time. She’ll do anything she can to get money out of me. Even have someone follow me around, it seems.”
“So, you think this was her?” I don’t because I know where the picture <b>came </b>from. It was Luciano, not Amalia, But I don’t want to tell him that<b>, </b>so I’ll y along. And it wouldn’t be <b>a </b>bad idea to know what we might be up against from her, too.
“It’s exactly the kind of thing she would do.” The <b>grim </b>certainty in his voice tells me his mind is made up.
“But why<b>?</b>”
“It’s <b>a </b>long story having to do with how much money she can squeeze out of me. He seems to find this funny since, out of nowhere, heughs “Why didn’t I think about that? Like she wouldn’t do everything she <b>could </b>to have leverage over me.
He shakes his head, still snickering “I have to give it to her. She’s a clever bitch.”
I don’t feel superfortable with him using that word, but I don’t feelfortable asking him to stop, either. We have bigger problems, anyway. “Even if they were following you and not me, Lill don’t feel <b>any </b>better. Is this what happens all the time? Am I supposed to look over my shoulder wherever I go?
“I don’t think it’s <b>that </b>serious.”
“Maybe not for you. You’re used to it. But I’m not <b>asking </b>for any of his. I only want to be with you. Does that mean having to
live with your vindictive ex–wife and people spying on me?” And all the other things he threatened me with weeks ago, things I don’t want to think about now.
His brows lower over stomy eyes. “What are you trying to say? You’re afraid to be with me?
“It isn’t you I’m afraid of.” Not exactly true, but I want to believe in safe with him, even if most people aren’t. “It’s all the people around you”
“I can take care of anybody. Don’t you know that?”
“I don’t know what I know anymore,” Ironless, with tears threatening to choke me. “I only know that it my dad finds out about us, that’s it. He will <b>do </b>everything he can to make you miserable
now.IL”
“<b>I </b>can handle him, too.” He finishes the thought with a snort, like ‘s funny.
Something about the way he says it. Or maybe it’s the darkness in his eyes–that t, nk look. I don’t want my mind to go m the direction it’s taking me, but I can’t pretend the question does exist,
Speaking slowly, I ask, “You wouldn’t do anything to hurt <b>him</b>, would you? Because that would kill me.
His head snaps back like he’s surprised “Do you think I’m a monster?”
What a loaded question “No. But..”
“But?” he snaps. “Tell me. You think I’m capable of that?”
Η
I don’t know what to think anymore. “That’s the problem. I haven’t had the first clue since this craziness started. My heart tells me one thing, my brain tells me another, and my body is in a constant state of longing for him. It’s amazing I can get through a day.
Suddenly, I’m crying again, big sobs that make my shoulders heave while <b>I </b>cover my face with my hands. It’s embarrassing the way <b>I </b>can’t get a handle on this “I don’t know! I don’t know anything anymore. I’m scared of what this means.”
“Hey.” “There’s regret in his voice when he crouches in front of me beside his desk. This might be the first time his touch has ever failed to light me up inside. The presence of his hands on my thighs isforting, but I’m too upset for it to mean more than that. “This doesn’t have to <b>mean </b>anything. It’s just a picture from your piece of shit ex, who I’ll dly pay a visit to if it makes you happy.”
I lower <b>my </b>hands from in front of my face as the idea sinks in. It doesn’t sound hall <b>bad</b>. Luciano <b>needs </b>to figure out once and for all that I don’t want anything to do with him, and nobody knows better than me how scary Gianni can be when he puts his mind
g waving in the back of my head? Something about the idea is all wrong, but I can’t put my So why is there a red g Until our eyes meet, his shining with hatred and murderous intent. That’s when I get it
my finger on it.
I push the wheeled chair backward away from him. “How do you low that?” I whisper.
Know what? Where are you—”
“Luciano.” My legs are watery, but I force myself to stand. “How did you know he gave me that picture? What are you hiding?”
He stands, his eyes never leaving me. Eyes now burning with the sort of intensity I’ve seen before, Intensity that doesn’t usually mean anything good. “Let me exin myself ”
“What is there to exin?” The panic building in my head makes it rough to think straight. He was following me. Spying, “Why were you even there? How did <b>you </b>know exactly where I was going to be when I didn’t give you an address?” Every question leads to another until it isn’t only panic threatening to break me.
It’s outrage
you—”
“Luciano.” My legs are watery, but I force myself to stand. “How did you know he gave me that picture? What are you hiding?”
He stands, his eyes never leaving me. Eyes now burning with the sort of intensity I’ve seen before, Intensity that doesn’t usually mean anything good. “Let me exin myself ”
“What is there to exin?” The panic building in my head makes it rough to think straight. He was following me. Spying, “Why were you even there? How did <b>you </b>know exactly where I was going to be when I didn’t give you an address?” Every question leads to another until it isn’t only panic threatening to break me.
It’s outrage
<b>23-1 </b>
Would you take ab
breath and let me
“No,” I snap, though I regret it when his eyes bulge. He’s breathing hard, barely controlling himself, and all it took was being questioned. Something as simple as that, and he’s ready to explode in rage
Backing away toward the door, I make up my mind. “I’m signing the lease on that apartment tomorrow. This was all a mistake.”
“Caterina.” He throws his hands into the air, hands I’m afraid of again. He was stalking me “What? You thought I was going to let you live just anywhere? If you’re this determined to live on your own, I could afford a much nicer ce in a guarded building I followed you from work, big deal. You can’t expect me to sit back and let you march into trouble,”
This isn’t the first time I’ve imagined living in a cage, is it? I didn’trealize how night I was
Now, I see it all. “You’re just as bad as my father. Trying to control every part of my life. It’s hard to breathe once the full weight of this sits on my chest. I’ve exchanged one cage for another
He’s never going to see me as my own person, someone able to make my own choices. I will always have to follow his rufes, always knowing there’s a chance he’s watching, Judging Waiting to punish me for going against him:
I won’t live that way.
“Catenna!” he shouts when I take off, running from the room and down the hall, I don’t even know what I’m doing–it’s not Like I have a n in ce. I only know I need to get away and <b>stay </b>away. It doesn’t matter that I still want him, and the idea of being without him is torture. My head’s all screwed up, thanks to my body being weak for him. It’s pathetic, and I will not let it
rule me anymore.
“You will not leave this house! He’s close, running behind me, and it’s sheer terror that makes me sprint madly for Tatiana’s wing. “Caterina, get back here! Where do you think you’re going?”
Away
from you Anywhere but here.Im the door to her wing and lock it before fleeing for the bedroom. I don’t even need that much. I’m in such a blind panic, so desperate to leave, I should’ve run straight for the car instead. I’m not exactly thinking clearly
Flock the bedroom door, too, and hope he doesn’t get it into his head to stay out there and essentially block me in while <b>I </b>yanka bag from the closet. Myptop, my essentials. I throw them in at random with hands that <b>shake </b>at the thought of how furious he is. I shouldn’t have announced that <b>I </b>was leaving. When will ever?
“Caterinal” His pounding on the door pulls a broken, breathless sob from my chest. I’m not going to let him scare me out of this. I refuse. No matter how hard he pounds, so hard, I’m afraid he’ll punch his way through the thick wood while I zip op my
bag
My head swings back and forth. The idea of <b>an </b>escape <b>is </b>the only thing that matters now. Could I make it out the window?
Oh, my god. Did I actually consider that?
I spin around from the window and bark out a scream when, all at once, the door flies inward, thanks to the way Gunni kicked it open. He loomsrge in the doorway, his hands in fists at his sides and his broad shoulders <b>heaving </b>while he res hatefully at
All I can do is shrink back against the dresser between the windows, cowering in the face of his rage
I think I signed my <b>death </b>warrant.
Because he looks like he’d love nothing more than to kill me.
nni
When I think I understand this girl, she leaves me wondering wh and forth, up and down–it’s emosigli to make me want to throw
“Please, don’t hurt me,” she whispers, cowering like a trapped f
How dare she? She thinks I’ll let this spod Pretend this was only a she has. Practically spitting in my bucking, face after everything I
How does she repay me? Roming from me in my own home. For
And after all that, she thought a locked door would stop me from would let her get away. As if I wouldn’t stop at anything to make:
you can’t rim from me.“I’m panting, grinding my teeth, hungr
At the same time, I can’t help but stare in fascination. She’s neve Lace of my rage. Her red–rimmed eyes sparkling with unshed tear bag in front of her like a shield, like that would do anything to pr
“Don’t hurt me, Gianni. Please.” She shakes her head, her eyes g ber
so much <b>as </b>an inch of space. “I know you don’t want to hurt n
That’s what does it. What breaks through the haze of rage.
She lets out a yelp when I cross the room and take her by the arm. run away and force me to chase you through my own home? <b>What </b>she flinches, weeping.
“You can’t do this to me,” she chokes out while her body tremble
“When all I care about is your safety? I want you to be protected ar never happen.”
“I don’t want to live that way!” If she doesn’t stop trying to yank I’m going to ease my grip. “Don’t you see? Aren’t you listening?” “You are not leaving me,” I grit out. “Never. So get the iden out of
“You’re hurting me,” she whimpers, all traces of strength and de
“You’ll have to remember that the next time you take it into your of taking her face between my hands. This beautiful, tear–streake leave me no choler.”
Her troubled gaze bounces over my face, brows drawing together. think before forcing my hand “What are you going to do?”
“What a bad girl deserves.”
It isn’t until I drag her <b>to </b>the bed and take <b>a </b>seat on the edge that serious!
She’s wrong again, I’ve never been more serious than I am now,
soft grunt and instantly starts pounding her fists against my leg
“You did it to yourself.” She may as well be pounding the air with too focused on her ripe ass, bared to me once I pull her modest litt wedged between those luscious cheeks, leaving her smooth globe