Page 64 of Burning Beauty

"Maria," he said her name warningly.

"You know, if you keep a wild creature caged up, eventually it'll end up finding its way to freedom."

"That had better not be a threat, mia bella," he said trapping her against the railing. "Because if you somehow manage to escape your cage, you will be causing the death of every man complicit in allowing you to go free."

Her stomach turned and she felt nauseous. An instant flash of Antonio being shot in the head rushed through her mind. She tried to break away from Nic, but he held her tight between him and the railing. It was either him or a very long and deadly drop to the ground. She glared at him. "You don't need to act like such a criminal all the time."

He gave her a tight-lipped look. "You need to stop talking now."

"And you need to grow a heart," she snapped.

"If I didn't have a heart, you wouldn't be here now."

The chill in his words was unmistakable. He didn't mean that she wouldn't be there with him in the hotel room. He meant she wouldn't be alive. He would've killed her when he discovered she was part of Franco's plot.

She stared away from him, refusing to speak again. He told her to stop talking and now she was done. She didn't want to talk to him when he was like this, when he was acting like a monster. She didn't understand why he couldn't always be as loving as he had been last night when they made love by the pool. That was the Nic she wanted to give her heart to, not this cold emotionless mobster.

Finally, he moved his hand and allowed her to slip away from him. She left him outside smoking his cigar while she disappeared into the master suite. She didn't bother entertaining the idea that he might allow her to have her own room. Besides, her bag was next to his on the luggage rack at the bottom of the bed.

Maria decided the best thing would be to take a bath and try to relax. It was 4pm and Nic would want supper around 6pm. He was very regular with his meals and would want her ready to eat with him. She gathered up some fresh clothes and disappeared into the bathroom. She hesitated after closing the door, and then gave it a vicious frown and locked it. If he wanted in he would just have to break it down. She wasn't in the mood for more bullshit.

Nic did not break the door down, and as far as Maria knew, didn't even try the handle. She emerged from her bath freshly washed and donned a pair of her old jeans and a red blouse she'd brought with her from Mexico. Despite its age, the outfit always made her feel good. The jeans hugged her hips giving her ass an almost indecent look, and the low-cut peasant blouse flirted with her belly button.

Nic gave her an up and down look when she entered the sitting room. He didn't say anything about her outfit choice though. He held a chair out and invited her to sit down next to him at the table. As she approached, the heavenly scent of garlic and maybe rosemary wafted toward her. Her mouth watered and she reached for one of the lids, lifting it to reveal a platter brimming with steak, potatoes, vegetables and gravy. Her stomach grumbled in appreciation as she sat down.

"We'll have to eat early," Nic opened one of the cloth napkins and smoothed it over her lap. "I have a meeting in an hour."

"Thank you," she murmured when he placed a plate in front of her with a cutlery set.

Conversation between them was stilted since Maria was still annoyed, and Nic was distracted with work. When she finished, he ushered her into the bedroom, making sure she had everything she needed while he conducted his meeting.

"I'd be happier if I could go for a walk or something," she muttered, knowing it wasn't going to be an option. Apparently, she'd travelled to a brand new city just to spend the entire time indoors.

Nic didn't bother to dignify her comment with one of his own. "Do not leave this room under any circumstances. If an emergency arises, then either I or Justin will come collect you." Maria narrowed her eyes but didn't respond. She was good and sick of being locked up and treated like a child who couldn't take care of herself.

Nic took hold of her chin and tilted it up. "Say you understand me, bella." His voice was hard, kind of mean, but the urgency behind it told her he meant it.

She jerked her chin away and said, "Of course I understand, I'm not stupid." She dropped onto the bed and reached for the remote control for the TV, ignoring him. Maybe she was being childish, but she was a grown ass woman who had spent years taking care of herself. Now she was pretty much Nic DeLuca's captive mistress. No autonomy, no choices, and no fun.

Nic hesitated before leaving, then gave a small growl of frustration. "I understand how you feel, Maria. And doing this to you isn't something I take lightly. I will try to find a way to give you more freedom, I promise. But for now, I need you out of sight. The man I'm meeting, Daniel Mercer, he is not a good man. He's dangerous, he's deadly and he's not afraid to use a woman to his own ends. You understand me?"

Maria stared at him in surprise. Nic never explained himself, he didn't need to. His word was law. Yet, he cared about her enough to try to explain. To agree to find a way to give her what she wanted while still maintaining his control. It melted something inside her, though she wanted to stay guarded. She didn't need this constant 'love him, hate him' dance she was in. Still... if he was going to take strides to see Maria's point of view, she would try to meet him halfway.

"Yes Nic," she said softly. "I understand."

Chapter Thirty-Five

At least, she understood what Nic was trying to tell her right up until she overheard his conversation with Daniel Mercer. Well, maybe it was more eavesdropping, but they weren't exactly making it difficult for her to hear. Maria had been sprawled out on the bed, half napping and half watching a reality TV show when she heard a loud knock on the hotel room door. Maria rolled to the edge of the bed and then tiptoed to the bedroom door where she cracked it open enough that she could see a tiny sliver of the other room.

"Daniel! It has been too long, my friend," Nic greeted the other man warmly, grasping his hand firmly. Maria was surprised at Nic's enthusiasm. She'd only ever seen him act cold and emotionless with other people. Maybe this man was different? But Nic had told her this Daniel guy was dangerous.

Daniel nodded and returned the handshake. He was tall, almost as tall as Nic, and bulky with muscles. The two men walked out of her line of sight toward the chairs by the window. Maria shifted the door a little more so she could watch them.

Daniel accepted the chair Nic waved him to and both men sat. Nic offered Daniel a cigar, but Daniel politely declined and sat back in his chair while Nic lit his Cohiba. They sat in silence for a moment as Nic drew on his cigar and blew the smoke out next to the open balcony door.

"Five years in security, Daniel. How do you like this cozy American job?" Nic asked, the pleasant aroma of cigar drifting toward Maria. She savoured the familiar scent. "You ready to come back to good money, where you won't get so soft, eh? I have a few arms shipments going out that could use overseeing."

Maria gripped the edge of the door and pressed her ear into the space. Nic rarely talked business around her, she was going to soak in every word! She could listen to that sexy Italian accent all day long.

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