Page 14 of Revenge & Ruin

“WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?”

A voice cries out from above, barely audible over the barrage of wind in my ears. Over the blood thumping through my brain.

Then, agonizingly slowly, someone hoists me up. Inch by inch, I return to the open window on the thirteenth floor.

Teo’s bare arms pool the sheet rope on the ground as I shakily climb back through the window into the safety of the hotel suite.

“Are you insane?” his voice is breathless as he looks at me.

I all but fly into his arms, my knees immediately buckling as soon as they hit solid ground. I’d fall to the floor if his arms weren’t there to catch me.

“I think so,” I gasp as I steady myself. Fuck. That was too close.

“We’re on the thirteenth goddamn floor!”

I look up at him then, straight into the panic of his endlessly dark eyes, noting the twist of concern on his mouth, the sweat ofhis rescue effort evident on his brow. This is a man who was so close to losing his greatest asset, he was willing to do anything to secure its safety.

“In my defense,” I reply, sounding more confident than I feel, considering I almost fell to my death. “It would have worked if you hadn’t opened the door.”

“And if it had, you’d have fallen the other hundred feet just fine?”

My mouth clamps shut at that. No need to let him know the truth, just in case the opportunity to escape arises again.

Instead, I take a moment to school my breathing. Closing my eyes as I inhale and exhale, I try to ignore the scent of soothing sandalwood as my heart returns to a semi-regular pace.

His tux jacket is open and loose; his sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, and the pin in his lapel hangs onto a single white rose by a thread.

Teo’s hands tighten around my arms. “Are you all right?”

“Remind me why you care?”

“I just saved your life.”

“You just ruined my escape.”

He suddenly steps away, and I try not to stumble forward. Annoyance and anger riddle his expression as he turns back to the door. He sticks his head out, no doubt to inform Dante or whoever is stationed out there what just happened.

I eye him cautiously as he does, weighing my options.

Plan A didn’t work. Now, I will be stuck with Teo until my brother does something stupid like show up and barter me for information on my mother.

This, obviously, can’t happen. So. What are my options?

“He’s just a man. Placate him,”a voice that sounds suspiciously like my mother's whispers through me.“Let him underestimate you.”

I swallow hard. Teo Vitale may hold all the cards, but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.

When Teo returns, fresh tears are falling out of my eyes.

If I had a camera, I would take a picture of his shocked expression and frame it. Possibly give it to Ida as a souvenir of my exploits here today.

“What are— are you…?” je splutters over his words.

I quickly cover my eyes in an attempt to look bashful. “I-I-I’m sorry. That was just…I was so scared and…and…and…”

He staggers forward a few steps. “It’s okay, you’re safe now.”

“I’ve never been so…so…so…scared!” I fling myself into his arms and bury my face in his neck.

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