Page 18 of The One
Tiero nods his agreement. “That’s what I was thinking too. You and Rom lead the west team. Santino and I the east.”
With a plan of attack sorted, he reclines his seat and closes his eyes. “Wake me before we land,” he says, and I hope he’ll actually sleep. He needs it. Since Ella ran, he’s got little rest.
“Good idea,” Rom agrees, shutting his eyes too. “Agnes was a wild beast. I need a nap.”
“I thought she was Agneta,” I say, suppressing a snicker. Romeo is terrible with names.
“Could have been,” he yawns. “I think you’re right. There’s a reason I avoid calling them by name. ‘Baby’ usually does the trick.”
“You know, forgetting names is the first sign of dementia. You’re getting old,” I tease.
Keeping his eyes closed, he gives me the middle finger.
My eyes wander back to Mariella, not sure why.
Her head is resting against the side of the plane, her eyes closed. Her chest rises rhythmically, indicating she’s asleep. And on her first flight too.
She must be exhausted, having run on adrenaline this afternoon. The crash was unavoidable.
Her ebony hair is tied back into a ponytail now. It highlights her high cheekbones and her sun-kissed olive skin. It looks so soft, beckoning to be touched.
My gaze drops to her full, heart-shaped lips. They have the perfect bow on top of them and are slightly open as she breathes in and out.
She is fucking beautiful.
How have I never noticed that before?
My heart patters in my chest. It makes me feel warm.
A vibration in my pocket draws my attention to my phone. I pull it out and check the display.
Valentina.
Strange, it’s not like her to text me after we fucked.
Hey big boy. You were so driven earlier, I forgot to mention I’ve landed a gig in Rome. I’ll be there for the next few weeks if you want to let off steam again. Better still, I’ll be staying with a friend who’s very open to some serious fun. Drop by. Val
I grin, especially when not a second later a picture of Valentina with another stunning blonde drops in my inbox followed by an address. Yep, judging from what these two are doing in the selfie, her friend is definitely up for it.
Chapter Seven
Mariella
I’m jolted awake by a sudden impact. My eyes fly open.
Where am I?
But then I spot the wing of the plane through the window, and as the ground bounces with the landing, everything that happened today comes flooding back.
I take a deep breath and will myself to calm down.
I’m safe. And I’m in Rome.
In Rome!
This is, without question,themost memorable day of my life.
But damn, I missed most of my first flight.
