Page 24 of Stolen Tutor

Once we finished our food, he went on about his job and how amazing it would be if I went against Niccolò. The rest of the day goes on with more stilted conversation and always circles back to the Leone family. I’m ready to go home by two o’clock. Still, I manage to hang on until about four when I go into the kitchen to make us some coffee, and I see a man I don’t know sitting at the table with a Cheshire grin on his face.

“Um… who are you?” I gasp.

“I work with your father. God, he’s right. You’re beautiful. It’s no wonder Leone easily took the bait. Still, why don’t you have dinner with me tonight and forget about everyone but you and me?”

“Ew. No. Excuse me.” I turn around and slam into my father whose eyes have hardened and not on his friend but on me. “What’s going on?” I ask, sensing something shady is happening.

“Nothing. I want you to meet Antonio; he can be a fantastic friend to have. If you and him make an arrangement, he’ll help us get rid of Leone once and for all.” I try not to react to the obvious implication as my mind races.

“I don’t know. I love Anna,” I blurt out, hoping to buy me some grace with them, so I can find a way out of this situation and to Vittorio.

“We can care for the little girl.”

“I need the bathroom for a moment.” He tells me where it is and walks me to it, standing outside the door. I lock it and spot a decent size bathroom window I can easily slide out of. Turning on the water, splashing water twice like I’m putting it on my face, and then I open and nudge out the screen before jumping down to a small set of bushes.

It takes me five minutes to get out of the area, looking in every direction and trying to find Vittorio. My phone and purse are still in the house, so I can’t make a call. Damn it. I walk around to roughly where he said he’d be, and I don’t spot him. I’m screwed, so I keep moving while trying to stay out of sight.

Hands grab me from behind. “Hey, where the hell are you going?” I jump out of my skin, but thankfully it’s only Vittorio.

“I was looking for you. I wanted to go home now,” I blurt out nervously.

“Okay. Wasn’t what you expected?” he asks.

“No.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, please, let’s just go.” I look around, hoping he doesn’t come looking for me.

We get to the mansion and Niccolò isn’t there yet, which isn’t what I wanted, but I suppose I’m too emotional to see him right now. “I’m just going to lie down.” I go into my room, strip off my clothes, jump in the shower and try to wash off the filthy vibes I have crawling over me. When I get out, I slide into some pajamas, so I can sleep. Finally, I break down. My father isn’t the man I thought he was and now I understand why Niccolò doesn’t quite trust me even though he wants me.

There’s a knock at my door and it’s Anna. “Oh sweetie, you’re home now.”

“We had to cancel our plans and go home because Uncle had some things come up. I’m so glad you’re home. I’ve been bored all day with Veronica. She never plays with me or anything.” She rolls her eyes.

“Let’s play then.” We make the most of early evening and then I tell Anna I want to take a nap before dinner. I walk her to her room where she wants to play with her new Lego set. I got to my room and attempt to read a book on my phone until my eyes grow heavy.

It’s late evening when I wake up and hear Niccolò say, “Let’s take this to my bedroom.”

“What the fuck?” I mutter. I want to go outside and look, but my heart can’t handle it.

Chapter Nine

Niccolò

Anna and I have been out all day, doing things but my mind hasn’t stopped thinking about Lucy. My thoughts are always on her. I want her and yet, I’m not sure where her loyalty lies. Still, I can fix it over time, I want her to belong to me in more than just her body. I’m sure I could strip her bare the second she comes through the door, but she won’t give me all of her and I’m finding that I don’t just want to fuck her. I crave it all.

“Sweetling, I need to drop you off. Something important came up and I need to go handle it. It won’t be too long and soon Lucy will be home.” It’s already two in the afternoon, so it’s not like Lucy won’t be gone for much longer.

“Are you going to marry her? I love her too.”

“That’s adult conversation.”

Wow, there’s her mother in her. The look of pure anger hits. “You can just say no. I get it. She can be my tutor forever and then marry someone else and maybe she’ll let me visit her.” Over my dead body. This girl knows how to play me and she’s not even a teenager.

We pull up to the house and I summon Soto. “Watch after her. I’ll be back in time for dinner.” I walk into the kitchen and get a drink before snagging Dino to come with me for these several last trips. We’re alone in the kitchen when I explain what my mission is and where we’re headed.

The deal with the docks is underway and I’ll own that company by morning. It’s fucking great. Still, I have one more matter that I need to handle after I meet with my lawyer. Having another legitimate business will boost my less-than-legal ventures.

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