Page 38 of Violent Delights

He frowns.

“I wantyou.”

He exhales like he’s been holding his breath for a year.

And then, for the second time, we fall into each other like gravity.

Like we’re already falling and neither of us wants to stop.

Chapter 18

Domenico

Lelia and I don’t see each other because I’m planning with Guillermo. He’s been a godsend. I know eyes are on us, since we’re the outsiders, but I don’t feel the tension anymore. I know I have backup. The only problem we have is that Cassio is arriving soon. Once he walks into this house, the shit is going to hit the fan.

Cassio and I have never seen each other properly. I’m not sure he’ll recognize me, but there’s always a possibility. The thing is, today I have to escort Lia to the dress fitting. Since I’m her bodyguard, I’m meant to ensure she’s kept safe at all times.

Ignacio stalks into the dining room as we’re finishing up breakfast and stops short at the table, his gaze flitting over each man. We’re all under his rule. Nobody speaks, and the clink of cutlery stops.

“You.” He points at me as he speaks. “My future wife needs to be watched closely. I have a feeling there’s something she’s hiding.” He doesn’t realize I’m the thing she’s hiding, but I offer a nod. He turns his attention to one of the other soldiers. “Taio, I want the files on the Vitale clan. Don’t leave a single item of information out. My future wife may be beautiful, but I don’t trust anyone.”

“Yes, Boss,” the soldier says with a nod.

I’ve been keeping my eyes on each of them and they’re loyal to a fault. Taio is the hacker. He can find out anything about anyone, and he’s the one I need to be wary of the most. The rest of them are muscle. That’s the easy part.

When we finally finish eating, it’s time to move. I make my way out to the car, only to see the woman I love already waiting. She’s at the passenger door and I wish I could go to her, to embrace her, but I play it cool. She’s nothing to me.

I offer a nod, but I see the fire in her eyes.

She was born to be mine. As I was to be hers.

Once we’re in the car, we don’t talk. It takes everything in me not to say anything to Lia. The driver is listening, watching, and I know Ignacio has asked him to observe her, just as he’s asked me to keep an eye on her.

The drive into town is torture. I can only steal glimpses at her, nothing more. And when we arrive, I see Guillermo already waiting. I knew he’d be here. It was part of the plan to make sure Lia is safe from Mosca’s asshole soldiers.

“I’ll be inside,” Lia tells us and I only offer a grunt in reply. The driver’s gaze burns into my side and I know he’s waiting for some more reaction. When I don’t offer it, he seems happy enough and goes back to the car.

Guillermo leans against the stone wall just outside the boutique, arms crossed, sunglasses on, face unreadable. He looks relaxed, but I know he’s anything but as his shirt sleeves are rolled up and his hands are balled into fists. There’s nothing relaxed about him. I stand a few paces away, close enough to speak low. Far enough to keep up appearances.

Lia’s inside, and I’m on edge. I don’t like being away from her. She’s probably somewhere between layers of ivory silk and the weight of her own damn cage. We stand in silence for what feels like hours. But it hasn’t been that long. It can’t have been.

I look at Guillermo and finally say, “This has to go down soon. I can’t play this game anymore. I hate seeing her with him.”

“It will all be over soon.” There is a promise in his voice, one that sets me at ease, but only just. “Her father didn’t want this,” he tells me then and I can’t help but snap my gaze to his.

“What?” My voice is higher than I expect it to be, but I lower it and whisper, “What are you talking about?”

“She’s a pawn in a game,” he tells me earnestly. “It’s the reason I’m here, to get her out, but he doesn’t know about you. Only I do.”

“She’s really in danger,” I finally say as the truth hits me. I thought her father signed the agreement for her to marry this bastard.

“She is. I didn’t want to tell you because you would lose your shit and do something stupid, but with Cassio arriving soon?—”

“We have to move faster.”

“She’s been in there an hour,” Guillermo says, not looking at me.

“I’m sure she likes to take her time when she’s out of the house,” I answer, just as flat.

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