Page 102 of Savage Prince

Begrudgingly, I release her, unable to keep the damned hurt from rising at her rejection. No, a rejection I could understandgiven the circumstances, but she’s completely ignoring me. For some reason, it’s a hundred times worse.

A chime sounds and the train doors glide open, the sudden flurry of movement jerking me from my pity party. “Let’s go,” I mutter and unlock our private cabin. She nods, swings her purse over her shoulder and follows me without a word.

We weave between the hordes of people flooding thebinarioof Termini Station and despite that damned ache of uncertainty, I reach back for Serena’s hand. Her fingers easily entwine with my own and I tug her down the platform and across the congested terminal until we reach the storage lockers. Moving quickly through the space, I head straight for the locker on the end of the row. Within minutes, we’re equipped with my go bag and on our way to the taxi stand outside.

The cacophony of horns, shouts and revving engines feels like home, and in spite of the polluted air the tightness in my chest subsides. I wave down the first taxi I see and usher Serena into the backseat. Glancing over my shoulder through the rearview window, I scan the busy streets for a tail. None that I can make out, but the avenue is much too crammed with vehicles to be sure.

Over the chaos, I shout the address to the driver and settle in beside Serena, releasing her hand. As the taxi darts into mid-day traffic, my phone buzzes, and relief floods my system at Pietro’s response.

With my righthand man on board and headed to the security of the safehouse, I’m certain we’ll finally be able to piece together who is behind this.

The small stretch of land nestled on a quiet street in the outskirts of Rome comes to view from down the road. Tall hedges and a wrought iron fence line the perimeter, keeping most of the house from view. It isn’t much, a small three-bedroom house I bought from the money I earned at the first café I worked at in college. It was well before I’d become entangled inPapà’s illegitimate operations but not before I understood how things worked in our world.

I’d purchased the property under an assumed name to be sure it would never be entangled with the Ferrara family. Over the years, there were countless times I was thankful for my foresight.

“Almost home,” I whisper to Serena.

She nods, her gaze far away as she stares out the window.

The car ride has been spent in a semi-comfortable silence, each of us caught up in our own thoughts. I can’t help but wonder where hers lie. Twice I’ve admitted to loving her and still, she remains silent on the topic. It stings like hell.

The terracotta tiles of a familiar rooftop peek over the towering hedges a block down, and I lean forward to the driver. “You can stop here.”

He twists his head over his shoulder, eying the vacant surrounding fields. “Sei sicuro?”

“Si, I’m sure.”

With a shrug, he pulls the old Fiat over, and I hand him the cash. I slide out of the backseat, offering Serena a hand and we wait along the edge of the field until the taxi has turned around and disappeared down the dirt road.

“How far do we have to walk?” she asks, the first words she’s spoken since the train. I hate how my pulse quickens at the sound.

“Not far.” I tick my head to the looming hedges at the end of the street. “That’s it over there.”

“Good, because I’m suddenly exhausted.”

“Probably from all those earth-shattering orgasms.” I offer a tentative smirk, and she rewards me with a smile in return.

“Maybe.” She snorts.

We reach the gate moments later, and I punch in the security code. The old wrought iron squeals as it heaves open. It’s been just a bit over six months since I’ve been here. WhenPapàinformed me of his plans to move in on the Kings’ territory in Manhattan, I figured it wouldn’t be long until this place would come in good use.

I couldn’t have been more right. I just never thought I would be coming here with one of the princesses of the King’s empire.

Serena is unusually quiet as I guide her into the small house. The furnishings are sparse but enough to get by. Though I haven’t been here in months, I have staff who keep it stocked with necessities. There should be enough food and water to last for a month at least. I’d had it equipped for three at the time. Who knew in only six months I’d be the only Ferrara left in the business?

“Where’s my room?” Serena asks as she follows me down a bare-walled corridor.

I whirl around and she stops in her tracks, her palms smacking into my chest. “Your room orours?” Even I can detect that hopeful twinge at the end of the word.Dio, I’ve become soft for her. Father must be rolling over in his grave, but maybeMammais rejoicing in it.

Serena’s lips twitch as she regards me. “I thought you were going to leave me here to go track down the assholes after us?”

Right. I did say that. Then why does the idea of being away from her for even a few minutes have panic rising? I nod, choosing to ignore her question much like she’s been doing to me. Instead, I lead her down the hallway to the master bedroom at the end.

Much like the rest of the house, it’s simple but functional with a king size bed, full closet, dresser and well-equipped desk. The security system is top of the line and with a VPN that’s completely untraceable set up by my friend Valerio, I’m certain I’ll be able to track down exactly who’s behind this.

Serena drops her purse on the bed and turns to me. “I’m going to shower.”

My nostrils flare as memories of my cum slickening her thighs surge to the surface. “Do you have to?” I rasp, my voice already rough just from the vivid thoughts. “I love the idea of you covered in my cum.”

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