Page 28 of Ruthless King
“I need my inhaler,” I grit out. If today was any indication of how things would play out for the next month, I’d need it to survive.
“Oh.” His tongue inches out and glides across his lower lip. And fuck me, it’s so damned sexy. “I’ll send one of the guys for it tonight.”
I nod, the image of one of Luca’s goons showing up at my place and scaring the shit out of my dad ridiculously satisfying. With a half-smile, I scamper to the back of the closet, passing an array of Gucci loafers. An image flickers across my mind. The subway. The glint of the silver hardware on my savior’s shoes. Glancing across the space, I meet dark eyes tracing my every move. Was he the man who’d saved me from Bo? And bought me a new textbook?
I shake my head, dispelling the errant thoughts. Tons of men in Manhattan wore Gucci loafers. It just couldn’t be …. Mafia bosses don’t go around saving shredded Economics books and dropping cute notes at your doorstep.
My gaze travels to the discarded, bloodied shirt on the floor beside the hamper and to a flicker of gold. Cufflinks in the shape of crowns. My thoughts fly back to the note and the crude drawing in the place of a signature.No… it couldn’t be.
Forcing my attention away from the shirt, I refocus on finding some clothes. As soon as I open the drawer, a musky scent fills my nostrils. I worked at the Macy’s at Herald Square one summer when I was a stupid kid thinking I could make it in the fashion industry. I’d ended up in the fragrance department. Luca’s scent is a heady mix of bergamot and hot pepper.
Grabbing a shirt at random, my fingers close around the softest material I’ve ever touched. I have to restrain myself from moaning as I finger the silky cotton. Hugging it against my chest, I move onto the dreaded underwear drawer.
Heat seeps up my neck as I fiddle with the array of boxers, boxer briefs and dare I say, a few bikini briefs. Typical Italian male.
“Are you doing inventory or are you going to pick something?” Luca’s breath trails across the shell of my ear, and my heart leaps up my throat. When had he gotten so close?
Without looking, I grab the first pair of boxers my fingers find and slam the drawer shut.
He eyes the underwear pinched between my thumb and index finger and smirks. My stupid heart staggers at the sight. When had the kidnapping mafia asshole gotten so hot?
“Those are my lucky boxers, princess, so you better not lose them.”
I glance down at the flashy green, white and red underwear, horrified. Great, I was going to sleep with the Italian flag on my ass. “How would I lose them? It’s not like you’re going to let me out of this penthouse, are you?”
He cocks a dark brow. “We’ll see how you behave.”
A streak of heat races down my core at that wicked grin. Suddenly, all I can think about is his thick erection pressed against me when he pinned me to the floor.Dio, I was fucked up. I should be terrified. This man has imprisoned me in his home, and I’m getting wet just thinking about his impossibly hard length between my legs.
Between my dad and Bo, I’d gotten so messed up in the head. I couldn’t wait for Rose to get her psychology degree and fix me.Rose! My best friend would freak out once she returned from Long Island and found out what happened.
Would Dad tell her the truth?
“What about my phone?” I ask. The idea of being isolated from the outside world is more frightening than the smirking mobster looming over me.
“What about it?”
“One of your goons took it. Can I have it back?”
“His name is Mario, and he’s not a goon. He’s worked for my family for over thirty years.”
“Fine,” I grit out. “So?”
“Same answer as before. We’ll see how you behave.”
This asshole is enjoying this.
He stalks across the closet and rifles through the drawer, picking out some clothing. “Now, I’m going to shower. Can I trust you to behave?”
I nod and give him a sweet smile. “I need a shower too.” I pinch the wet material against my bra. It clings to my hard nipples, and a wave of embarrassment sends heat spilling across my cheeks.
He swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing along the long column of his throat.Dio, even his neck is sexy. Who’s ever heard of such a thing?
“Follow me, I’ll take you to the guest bath.”
This is the perfect opportunity to make my move. I trail along behind him like a good little captive. If he thinks he’s won, maybe he’ll let his guard down. As soon as he gets in the shower, I’ll make my escape. My heart raps out a thundering rhythm as my mind spins with ideas.
If he wanted to kill me, he would’ve done it already. I shot him for god’s sake, and I’m still standing. I’ve already been alone with him in his bedroom, and he hasn’t forced himself on me either.Grazie a Dio. The mob boss may not want to hurt me, but I certainly don’t want to be his prisoner for the next month either. I have to at least try to get away. Steeling my resolve, I scan the quiet hallways and the foyer that opens up to the elevator.
