Page 10 of Sweet Retribution

“For the past month, you’ve told me your house is my home too. That you wanted me to feel free and safe there. What’s changed?”

So many emotions run through my mind. Has he broken our marriage contract and gone back to the women he used to have sex with? Does he find me unattractive after seeing me bleeding and laying in my own filth? Is he going to toss me to the curb as soon as he has his vengeance?

“Ready,” Tio says behind me.

Stone looks up at him over my shoulder and lifts his chin in response. He grabs my elbow and escorts me through the door and into the backseat of the waiting car. As soon as we reach it, I rip my arm away and slide over to the opposite end of the seat.

We ride in silence until we reach his helicopter. I follow orders on auto-pilot. Once we land at his estate, my shoulders relax. I’m still angry, hurt, and confused, but I’m thankful to be back in the comfort of his home.Hishome.

I ignore his hand and storm past him into the house and up to my room. I want to stop and talk to Maria, but I need a shower and the comfort of my bed, my clothes. The inexpensive outfits I ordered online from Target.

Some time later, after I’m clean and have taken a nap, I go down to the kitchen to see Maria. I don’t know what she’s been told, and at this point, I don’t care what story Stone wants me to tell.

I step into her arms and rest my head on her shoulder, taking in the smell of fresh bread and rosemary. She holds me tight as my mother used to, and still does when she’s feeling sentimental, and rubs my back with motherly affection.

I’m determined not to cry and bat back the tears. When I feel composed, I loosen my hold on her and crack a smile.

“Still up for teaching me how to make homemade pasta?” I don’t ask for Stone. I ask for myself. To keep my mind and hands busy.

“Sweetheart.” She strokes my cheek with her warm palms. “I’m so sorry for–”

“Uh uh.” I hold up my finger and wag it at her. She brought me to the market to buy food to make Stone a special meal when I was kidnapped and carries the blame. As does Lucca. “None of that was your fault nor mine. I’m... fine now. I’m... home and safe. Let’s talk about happier things like gooey cheese sauce, and maybe tiramisu?”

Maria gives me a sad smile and nods in agreement. For the next hour, we bustle around the kitchen, listening to the music playing loudly, and sipping on wine, pretending the past week never happened.

It’s exactly what I need. When dinner is ready, she takes down a stack of plates. “Would you like to eat outside or in the dining room?”

My smile fades as I think about sitting next to Stone at dinner. I’m still angry at him. I haven’t seen him since I stepped off the helicopter earlier today. I thought for sure he’d come out–or send his men–and tell Maria and me to turn down the music.

The fact that he didn’t snap at us to quiet down tells me he’s avoiding me. I wish his rejection didn’t hurt so much.

I take the plates from her and put most of them back. “I don’t want to interrupt them tonight. Let’s have a nice dinner for two. They can heat up the leftovers when they come out of their cave.”

I don’t miss the questioning lift of her brow but choose to ignore it. I bring two plates outside to the patio, my favorite place to eat, and go back inside for silverware and the rest of the wine.

“You’re dining with me.” I put a wineglass in her hand and give her a gentle nudge to the patio where she’s already set the table.

“Are you sure Mr. Parlatore doesn’t want dinner? You’ve been–”

She clamps her lips shut. I know what she’s about to say. I’ve been gone for a week. He should be all over me. Not wanting to spend a second away. Yet that’s as far from the truth as can be.

“He has a lot of work to catch up on. Rescuing me has put him behind schedule with other things. It’s okay.” I pat her shoulder and pull out a chair for her.

I serve Maria first, then myself. I take the last bite of my salad when I feel his presence. Stone steps outside but doesn’t come over to the table. I don’t look up at him, pretending I don’t see him, which is hard to do.

Six plus feet of sexiness dressed in all black is hard to miss against the cream-colored stucco walls. Maria must sense him. She turns around and stands, her cook and housekeeper persona taking over.

“Forgive me. I’ll get a plate for you.” She hustles inside before either of us can protest.

Stone doesn’t look at her, doesn’t acknowledge her as she brushes by him. His strong legs lock in place and his blue eyes pierce me with his stare. I return my attention to my food and scoop up a bite of the noodles and cheese.

It’s amazing, and I try my damndest not to moan as the rich, warm, cheese sauce coats my throat. Maria is back, a new place setting is set next to me, and she picks up her dishes.

“Stay,” I beg.

“No, no. You two enjoy your meal. I’ll ask the rest of the men if they’d like to dine out here or inside.”

“They can join us too.” I don’t want to be alone with Stone. It’s not him I fear; it’s him learning how much I car‌e about him that I fear.

---