Page 24 of Ruthless King
I still can’t believe that wild little thing shot me.Dio, I am off my game. I never would’ve let anyone get the drop on me like that. She had all the blood rushing to the wrong head. I underestimated her, not something I’d ever do again. Especially now that she will be living under my roof.
Stella sits on the couch, every muscle tense as Dr. Filippo finishes stitching me up. Normally, I would’ve had her fix me up in private, but I couldn’t risk letting Stella out of my sight. Mickey has a few jobs to finish up, and my housekeeper, Magda, is out running errands.
I watch her from across the room as she curls a dark lock of hair around her finger. She’s nothing like the sweet, innocent, freckle-faced little girl I remembered. Then again, I’m not the same person either. She still hadn’t even recognized me, her own brother’s best friend. We’d been inseparable for nearly two years when I’d landed fresh off the boat in Little Italy.
“All set, Luca.” Dr. Filippo’s appreciative gaze lingers over my bare chest for a few seconds longer than appropriate. She’s a beautiful woman, but I have strict rules about mixing business and pleasure. Having a doc on call is critical in my line of work, and I’d never risk that for a fun fuck.
Stella’s eyes flicker to mine. It’s just occurred to me it’s the first time she’s heard my first name aloud. Maybe now she’ll remember.
As I button up my shirt, I walk the doctor to the elevator that opens up into my foyer, intensely aware of Stella’s trailing gaze. Would she try to make a run for it again? If she did, maybe I should tell Alberto, the guard stationed in the lobby, to let her go this time. Already, this arrangement is shaping out to be more trouble than it’s worth.
Dr. Filippo presses a kiss to each of my cheeks, and I hand her the envelope of cash. The woman is well-paid for her off-the-books work. I’m fairly certain the monthly fee is more than what she makes a year at the hospital.
“Thanks again.”
“Any time,bello.”
I force a smile and press the elevator button. Luckily, it quickly glides shut behind her, blocking the main escape route. Only a select few know about the secondary elevator tucked away in my bedroom for emergencies. I spin around to meet those scrutinizing blue eyes. Earlier, I could’ve sworn I caught her checking me out, but maybe the blood loss was affecting my mind.
Right now, she keeps her narrowed eyes pinned to mine.
The silence lengthens, and I march to the kitchen to make myself a stiff drink. My shoulder aches, and I could really fucking use one after the day I’ve had. I hate disorder; my life is all about control. It’s necessary in all aspects of my business and personal life. Less than a day, and Stella’s reduced it to chaos.
As I pour, I lift my gaze to my new houseguest. “You want a drink?”
She scoffs.
“What?”
“Are you trying to get me drunk so I’ll be a more pliable prisoner?”
“Che palle, Stella. I’m simply offering you a drink to take the edge off. I know I need one.”
“To stave off the guilt?”
A dark chuckle escapes through my thinned lips. “It’s cute that you thinkthiswould cause me even the tiniest amount of guilt. Do you have any idea the things I’ve done?” I snap my jaw shut, cursing my loose lips. What the hell is wrong with me? A beautiful face from the past has me spilling all my sins?
“So I should be thanking you for keeping me prisoner?”
“The way I see it, I saved yourcullofrom Bo and the Red Dragons. From what my men saw at the restaurant, you were destined for a much bleaker fate.”
Her dark brows furrow. “Those were your guys at the Red Dragon last week ….” A deep pink hue blossoms across her cheeks, matching the warm color of her lips.
I nod and take a long pull of the perfectly aged scotch. Yes, Tony told me exactly what thatpezzo di merdawas forcing her to do. The thought of Stella on her knees and that dickhead’s hands on her makes my blood boil. She is mine now. Official property of the Kings. No one would ever touch her again.No one but me. A dark voice echoes across my mind. The things I want to do to her.
No. No. No.I would wreck her, destroy her innocence. She did not deserve that.
“Well, don’t expect a thank you any time soon.” Her soft voice distracts me from the onslaught of dark thoughts. She settles onto the couch, the tight set of her shoulders relaxing a smidge. Her gaze lands on the bouquet of calla lilies on the glass table, and her lips pucker.
“You disapprove of my floral arrangement too?” I snap.
“No.” Her voice is quieter than I’ve heard yet. Her mouth thins out into a harsh line, and I opt for a change of subject. “If you were so concerned about your safety here, why didn’t you tell the doc I was keeping you prisoner?”
“I figured she was on your payroll. Any respectable doctor would have to report an incident like a gunshot wound.”
“That’s what you wanted? For me to report you? You’d rather spend years in jail than a month with me?”
Her lips screw into a damned irresistible pout.Gotcha.
