Page 26 of Tammaro DeLuca

“Thank you.” I went in the direction she pointed in since I was thirsty.

“Hey, thanks for coming. I know it’s not ideal. Beni gave me the heads up with Martina, and apparently this is the first step to getting on her good side,” He said while standing close to me.

“No problem. Looks like you’re winning in aces today. First Asmaria, now Martina. Good job.” I patted his shoulder and walked over and grabbed a chip from the bowl while I waited for my cup of coffee to brew.

“Baby, don’t.” He came up behind me and I pretended not to be affected by him.

“Don’t what?” I asked, swallowing and focusing on the snacks in front of me.

“Don’t pretend like I’m not trying with you, too.”

“I never said that. What I said was that you’re winning with them. You’re not with me. It’ll take more than ‘I’m sorry’ for you to get me to forgive you. I’ll give you a saving grace for whatever happened back then. I forgave you a long time ago for that. Asmaria was the result, and I don’t regret her. Not one bit. Everything else, there’s not enough forgiveness in the world for.”

“And last night?” He asked.

“I was sleeping. I had no clue that you were really in that room with me.”

“So it’s okay if you dream about me, but you don’t want the real thing?” He pressed against me, pinning me to the island.

Lord help me.

Because he was stiff, and I knew what he felt like when it was this way inside. I could get him completely hard while he was inside me. That sick part of me loved how he thickened and stretched me while I worked him over. Fuck.

“Back up, Ro.” I warned him.

He put his arm around me and snake it up my center, grabbing me by the base of my neck, while he breathed in my ear. I whined, softening against him. It was a quick maneuver that rushed the sensations and blocked out my rationality.

“You want me and this. I promised to make it up to you, and I meant that. My way wasn’t the best idea, however, I’m not going anywhere. When you finally accept that, things will be easier. Baby, please tell me you know I love you.”

“If what you’ve done is love, I don’t want it.” It hurt to admit it, but it was the truth. My idea of love didn’t feel this way. Instead of feeling cherished, I felt trapped. A tear slipped free, and I wiped at it to save what little pride I had left.

Ro let me go and backed away. I used that opportunity to find Martina.

“Bathroom?” I asked her.

Concern laced her features, but she didn’t ask what was wrong. “Up the steps and you’ll see the light on. It’s the only door open up there.”

“Thanks.” I disappeared upstairs and found the bathroom easily. Inside, I fell apart. I covered my mouth so as not to let out any sound. I’d fix my makeup after, but for now, I needed to just be. Feeling alone, I tried to find solace in my affirmations. Because I was strong, beautiful, intelligent, and gracious. Nothing was ever too big to solve. And I could be whatever I wanted to be. I repeated that until I believed every word again.

I wouldn’t let this situation break me. Ro may have ruled everything in his way in Italy, but here I was, the queen of my destiny, and he didn’t get to decide any of it. One step at a time, I was going to reclaim my independence. That was going to start here and now, no matter what that meant for him. He’d only been concerned with himself in his plan. Well, mine was going to be the same. If it didn’t help me and my daughter, I wouldn’t be a part of it. I didn’t care how many feathers it ruffled.

I looked in the mirror and laughed at how hideous my makeup was. Martina had some makeup remover wipes in a basket, along with other items that anybody would need if visiting. I removed what was on my face and then I opened my purse to make a modified version of what I was wearing before. I took my time, not worrying about what anybody thought downstairs. When I was done, I double checked my work and then put everything away. Firming my shoulders, I was ready to face the crowd again. This time, I wouldn’t let Tammaro DeLuca get underneath my skin.

When I got downstairs, I was surprised to see Simone and Beni here. I smiled politely at him, but I hugged Simone tightly, completely able to enjoy this moment.

“God, I missed you.” She said before I did.

“It’s only been a week.” I teased.

“True, but we both know that it’s been a crazy few months.”

“Agreed.”

“I hear that you and Ro are a thing?” She looked over at him and then back at me.

“Is there some place we can talk? If not, can we have lunch soon to chat?” I asked.

“Lunch is always better. There probably is somewhere around here, but if you don’t want to chance someone hearing, we should meet up.”

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