Page 31 of Promise Never

She’d shifted on the chair, chest risingintensely, and a smile had teased her lips. But she’d fought against it andpretended not to hear.

Immense guilt and horror had gripped me when Icaught that bastard choking her.

Knowing Tiana had endured abuse in her childhoodis just as infuriating. I want to find every single person who hurt her andmake them suffer severely.

Fuck. That taunting prick inside me is growingmore with each passing day that Tiana is at my home.

I need to get a handle on things, starting withthis tight knot.

Peeling off the rest of my clothes, I step intothe shower and stand under the rushing water while jerking my hard cock.

Tiana stays on my mind, making me grunt and raspher name as the euphoric pleasure shatters my body.

This momentary relief is enough for now.

I’m sure when she looks at me with disgust again,it’ll snap me right back to my senses.

I finish showering and haul on sweatpants and at-shirt, taking a painkiller for my throbbing wound before going downstairs.

Runiapproaches me in the foyer. “The men brought the scoundrel I’d shot to theshed.”

“Good. I’ll have a chat with our guest in a bit.”

He chuckles at my sarcasm.

“Call the doctor for Tiana. She says she’s allright, but I know she’s only acting tough.”

“Sì.” He’s about toleave but pauses to add, “It seems you care for the woman, Ales.” He motions tomy injured arm.

“I’m only trying to help her.” I pat his shoulderand continue to the kitchen, where Mother is rearranging the pantry.

“What happened?” she asks without glancing at me.“I saw you and Tiana leaving earlier. She looked like a femme fatale.”

I grab the jar of iced tea from the fridge andfill a glass.“Non ti devi preoccupare,Madre.”

She backs out of the pantry, hands on her hips.“Your stupid father said the same thing. Then he got himself killed, and we hadto flee our home. So do not leave me in the dark, Alessandro. Enough. What thefuck happened?”

Sighing, I set the glass on the island and archover it. “Tiana came up with the idea that she’d be the bait to draw out ZenoCostantini. He sent his men instead.”

Mother rattles off a few curses. “That girl isundoubtedly impulsive. Why did you allow her to put herself in danger?”

“I didn’t want her to do it,” I argue, animatingwith my hand. “Tiana was sure that it’d work.”

She lingers on me, eyes narrowing. “Cos'èquello?”

I pinch my brows. “What do you mean?”

A smile slowly stretches her lips. “You’restarting to feel something for her.”

“The only thing I feel is pity and guilt over whatLuca did to her sister. That is the reason she’s at our home. I’m taking care ofthe threats. Nothing else.” It sounds like I’m trying to convince myself.

Still observing me keenly, Mother leans to oneside and folds her arms. “So defensive.” She scowls as she glances at my arm.“You’re injured?”

I’m bleeding through the bandage. The red is faintbut noticeable with the white shirt.

She strides over and rolls up my sleeve to check.

“It’s only a graze,” I assure her. “Tiana cleanedit for me.”

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