Page 44 of The Naughty One
They tore and clawed at each other, the bed moving with the violence of their lovemaking. Blue fucked her against the wall of the shower, lifting her easily in his strong arms, Romy bracing herself against the cool tile as his cock reamed her cunt until she thought she might not be able to take itanymore.
As they made breakfast, he bent her over the counter and took her from behind, telling her over and over how much he loved her, then later, as they walked in the olive groves, he had her again, staking his claim of her body as well as her heart, fucking intensely until they were both breathless andsated.
Evening was falling as they made their way back towards the villa. Blue was picking grass and twigs from her long dark curls, and his eyes were so soft with love, that Romy couldn’t help but stop to kiss him. He ran his hands down herbody.
“How did I ever exist before you, RomySasse?”
Romy grinned up at him. “Romy Sasse Allende. And I don’t know, Blue, because there was nothing beforeyou.”
He grinned. “I think we just exceeded our cheese quote for theyear.”
Romy laughed. “I don’t care. This is our honeymoon, gorgeous man; cheesy is a requirement. You know what’s also arequirement?”
“What?”
“Food. I’mstarving.”
Blue drove them into Florence to a favorite restaurant of his, and they dined on lobster and pasta and garlic bread, moaning over the delicious food. Blue ordered some wine and they lingered over desserts of Zabaglione with freshberries.
The coffee was strong and dark, and they sat talking long into the evening. Romy leaned her head on Blue’s shoulder. “I’m so chilled right now. This place isheavenly.”
“I’m glad you think so. So, what’s the verdict? Should I close on thevilla?”
Romy nodded, smiling. “Blue, we haven’t discussed kids, but I think the villa would be the perfect place to bring themup.”
He smiled warmly. “I do too,baby.”
Across the street was a row of stores, each different, none of them brand names, all family owned, some of them still open this late in the evening. There was something so pure and natural about this place, Romy thought. Her eye was caught by the flickering of a television in the bar across the street. For a moment, she couldn’t believe what she wasseeing.
“Tavia?” No, it couldn’t be. Her young friend’s face flashed up again, and Romy saw now that the news channel was focusing on a snowbound crime scene, police tape fluttering around a small log cabin. Romy stood up to move closer to the television and Blue, hurriedly throwing a wad of Euros down to pay for their meal, followedher.
They had been cut off from cell phone and Internet access for a few days and both had enjoyed it, but now, Romy stared in horror at the television. “Can you turn that up, please?” she asked anyone who wouldlisten.
Blue repeated the question in Italian and the bartender grabbed the remote and increased thevolume.
The four young women, all aged seventeen, were found stabbed to death this morning by the owner of this isolated log cabin. It is believed he is also one of the girl’s father, local businessman DanielHelmond.
“No!” Romy’s legs gave way as Blue dived to catch her. “No, no, no, not Tavia, please,please, not Tavia.” She was screaming, not caring that the entire street was staring ather.
The victims have now been officially identifiedas Rebecca Moore, Octavia Helmond, Mandy Fitkins, and Yelena Shostakovich. All the women were from Kings County, Seattle; all were brutal stabbed to death. Police say the killer or killers left very little physical evidence of themselves and have asked that anyone with any information come forward. Back to thestudio.
Two hours later,when Romy had finally gotten through to a devastated Artemis, she spoke with her sister for a few minutes then came back to the table. She was calm now, too calm, Blue thought as he stood to take her in his arms. The restaurant was officially closed but the owner was a kindly man who told them to take all the time they needed to make calls. He kept them supplied with hot, strong coffee, and pastries although neither Blue or Romy couldeat.
Romy leaned against her new husband’s body. “We have to go back. It’s Dacre. He’ll keep killing innocent women. We have to draw himout.”
“Romy …”
“No, Blue. No objections. It’s the only thing left to do.” She looked up into his eyes and he could see the endless sorrow in them. “I won’t go down without a fight. And I’ll play dirty, Blue, believeme.”
“You’re not in thisalone.”
“I know.” She sighed, squeezing her eyes shut to stop them from tearing up again. She felt raw from screaming. “For tonight, let’s gohome.”
“I’ll book the plane fortomorrow.”
“Thank you,baby.”
Dacre and Gaiuswatched the news with satisfaction, then Gaius grabbed a couple of beers from his fridge. Dacre clinked his bottle against Gaius’ and then sat back, studying the otherman.
