Page 54 of Hostile Love
Once I’m washed and dried, I dress in skimpy shorts and a baggy t-shirt, then climb into the single bed, pulling the thin sheet over me.
My heart sinks. I miss Matheus more than I should, and regretfully, those powerful feelings won’t go away.
The inner voice in my head chatters too loudly, filling the stillness of nightfall. It reminds me of The Covenant oath and how I had sworn on my life I’d be loyal to the Souzas without truly understanding how deep that vow would cut me.
At the time, it was simply a few words I had to repeat to become part of the elite squad. A way to win favor with Blanco’s rivals. To learn from the best and keep our enemies close. And that was it, nothing more.
Blanco wants power at his fingertips and sees Giovanni’s skill as a channel to tap. He understands that having professional, loyal hitmen at his disposal would give him ultimate power and control.
The very same reason why Elias Souza had turned one of his own sons into the most feared hitmen in the world. And for thatreason alone, I was happy to play along and benefit from the alliance.
Except Blanco had changed the plan.
Eventually, my eyes drift shut, and my body relaxes. Almost asleep, a dull thud fires up my instincts.
My lashes flick open as I simultaneously slide my hand under the pillow and grab my gun.
In the doorway, a shadowy figure stands still, quietly staring into the room. I blink a few times, focusing on the details I can make out.
Black suit pants and a fitted dress shirt house a tall male. Precious stones glitter from his cuffs, caught in the slight beam of moonlight pouring in through the patio doors opposite him.
My pulse takes off, sensing trouble.
“What do you want, Tomás?” I ask calmly, curling my fingers around my weapon.
The sight of his sinister aura scatters prickles the entire length of my spine. It’s an odd sensation for someone like me to feel.
I don’t scare easily.
There’s a coldness in his shadowy expression. Something I’ve seen many times in the eyes of countless men and not been fazed.
But this domineering man––his presence chokes the atmosphere, making it darker, fatal even.
I get the distinct impression his demons have joined us, and they aren’t in the mood to play nicely.
Pitch black eyes drill into my face while he studies me, an uncomfortable silence growing between us.
With his broad shoulders drawn back, his towering posture exudes the sophistication of a suited mafia don rather than a heartless, body burning drug lord I know him to be.
“Tomás?” I repeat, sitting upright and pointing my gun at him. “I asked, why you’re in my room?”
He still doesn’t reply. Goosebumps race over my arms when a second figure appears, immediately stepping in front of him.
I swallow hard and glare at The Covenant commander and into the barrel of his suppressed semi-automatic handgun.
Giovanni wears dark clothes and a non-branded baseball cap. The peak shades his features, but fails to dull a set of piercing green eyes that appear almost superhuman.
“Finally decided to return to base, Buffalo?” his deep voice rumbles. “Did you take a little detour? For a while there, I thought I’d have to send someone after you. Put your gun down now.”
“You put yours down first,” I bite out and jerk my chin upwards, motioning to Tomás. “And then tell me why the fuck he’s in my room.”
“Throw your gun on the bed, Buffalo.” Giovanni orders, his tone sharp and stone cold. “Last chance.”
My heart is hammering in my chest, loud and wild. If my trigger finger moves even a fraction, he’d shoot me dead.
I understand this guy, the hitman. At one point, I’d been in awe of his skill and proficiency. Nevertheless, here we are. In a deadlock because I pulled a gun on his big brother.
Slowly, I toss it on top of the sheet, not too far from my knee, just in case. The second it lands, Giovanni advances, grabs my forearm, and spins me around, shoving me face down into the mattress.
