Page 14 of His Vicious Desire

I’m beginning to wonder where he is.I can’t hear him from the long hallway he went down.I sigh and look around.The place looks like he moved in a few weeks ago, except it doesn’t feel like he just moved in.

He’s back with a black jar, and he’s taking the lid off as he approaches me.“It means I’ve only read that this will help.I’ve never seen it before.”He offers me a small gummy disc.

I take it.“Is this what I think it is?”Smelling it answers the question.Ew, it’s THC.

“Yes.It should take the edge off and make coming down less painful.You’re also not going to be dependent on it once you’re clean of the speed you were taking.”

Taking a deep breath, I put it in my mouth and chew.Ick.“It tastes gross.You like these?”

“No, but sometimes I need them to sleep.It’s better than the benzos like Xanax and Klonopin I came to rely on too much.The withdrawal from those was hell but better than—” He shrugs.“I don’t like not being in control.The Xanax had me thinking I was, but that’s what drugs do—they lie to you.”

“What else did you have withdrawals from?”Gaetano fascinates me in the same way I think people who swim with sharks are fascinated by those sharks.A predator that doesn’t appear to have a single soft inch to him in body or mind.

“Cocaine.”Something flickers in those cold black eyes.Before I understand it, it’s gone.

“I thought you guys weren’t supposed to use cocaine.It was a decree from Luca.”

A shoulder lifts.“I used it before Luca made the decree.”

Luca’s been running Vegas for almost twenty years.“How old were you?”

“Fifteen.The whole young, dumb, and full of cum bullshit.I thought I was grown and knew better.That I could control it, but it got away from me fast.It only took a few months to hit a wall.”

“Did you use something to help your withdrawals?”I’m curious.

Another shake of his head.“I did it cold turkey.The more painful the memory, the better it will keep you from coming off the wagon again.”

“Why are you letting me use weed?”I’m kind of surprised he’s giving me the weed gummies.

“Because you’re never going to touch anything like this ever again.So there’s no need to make it harder than it has to be.”It’s not a question.

I agree.“I won’t.Please don’t tell Sandro.He will be so upset thinking he failed or something.I couldn’t take that when this is all me.Since they were prescription, I thought they were safe.I mean, Kitty’s mom took them to lose weight—it’s where Kitty got the idea to use them.”

“I should.If he found out I didn’t tell him, he’d probably kill me.Especially if he found out you’re spending the time it takes for you to come off it here.”

Rushing to assure him.“I’ll never tell him.Ever.And I’ll never touch it again.Nothing.Not even weed or alcohol.As far as me being here, do I really have to stay for days?Can’t I just?—”

“I’m not letting you run off.You’re going to get worse before this gets better.Hopefully, the weed helps, but there’s no guarantee.”He’s hard.There’s no arguing with him.

“What about school?”I try again.The idea of being alone with him in his house is scary—but not in the way it should be.In the way I loved Gaetano holding me while I cried earlier—and how I’ve never forgotten what it felt like for him to carry me all those months ago.

An eyebrow goes up.“You should have thought of that before you got into this.If you want to call your professors and see about getting work with the excuse that you’re sick, you can call them.You’re not leaving here until I’m certain you’re clean.”

“How areyougoing to miss so many days if Sandro needs you?”I’m curious.

“Sandro doesn’t need me as often as you think he does.And if he does, I’ll be sick too.If there’s something he needs that I have to leave for, I’ll tie your ass to the bed.”He says it so simply it takes a minute for the last few words to penetrate.

Why does that sound hot?Wait, he has stuff to tie people up with?“You tie up all the women you have over?”

He shakes his head.“I don’t have women over.I’m going to call Sandro now and let him know.”

ChapterFive

Bianca

I watch as he walks away at the same time he’s pulling out his phone.I’m not blind.Gaetano is hot, not just a little, like a lot.Someone as hot as he is never has to work for a woman—I’ve seen it up close with Sandro.

They come and go without ever making a dent in Sandro’s bed.I’m guessing Gaetano is like Sandro and never has women in his place.Sandro keeps a room in the hotel exclusively for the women he sleeps with.Does Gaetano have a room in a hotel, or does he only go to their place?

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