Page 28 of The Sicilian Bastard
Araceli
My jaw was killing me, which made sense because Luciano dislocated it, like an asshole. I'd been lying here in this bed for a few hours with nothing to do but watch the paint peel off the walls. He could have at least left me with a book or some television. I remembered him saying that if I needed anything, all I had to do was ring the bell. I looked over at the bell on the nightstand wondering if it was worth it. Who knew who would answer the call? I couldn't speak. I couldn't scream. If I tried hard enough, I could scream in my throat with gritted teeth, but no one would hear that from a distance. It would only hit the door. So, a guard would hear, but no one would help. Would anyone who lived here help me? They worked for this family so it was doubtful. The thought of lying here with nothing to do warred with the idea that I could get my throat sliced for ringing the bell.
I scooted my butt to the edge of the bed and stretched my legs out. If I was going to be vulnerable to a stranger, it would be on my own two feet. I would keep my back to the wall, facing the door so I could fight if need be. I clutched the bell in my hand and shook it back and forth. I held my breath as I waited. Not even a minute later, the doorknob turned and the door opened. Standing in the frame, was a man who was shorter than Luciano. He had dark hair and warm brown eyes. If I had to guess, he was related to Luciano, but his presence was different in every way. While Luciano threw out an aura of a restrained killer, this guy gave me teddy bear vibes. I relaxed a little, leaning against the bedpost.
"Hi, I'm Agosto. I was walking past when I heard the bell rang."
He stayed in the doorway, almost as if he didn't want to encroach on my space. I grabbed the notepad and pen, scribbling away my response.Hi, I'm Araceli. Are you related to Luciano?
I handed the notepad to Agosto. He looked at it for a brief time; a pained look flashed on his face before he looked away.
"Yeah, he's my brother. Why are you writing? Are you sick?" He shot me a strained grin, his eyes glued to my bruised jaw. I was sure it looked frightening, but when I moved to cover it, his brow furrowed. I didn't know him well enough to understand his problem. I also didn't want to think that any sudden move could have him turning into a feral teddy bear.
I dislocated my jaw, so I can't speak.
As soon as he read it, his face reddened. I could see the rigid cords in his neck standing up. His eyes were a little bulging, emphasized by his flared nostrils.
"Youdislocated your jaw, orhedid?"
It wasn't a question. It was a statement. It wasn't inaccurate, but Agosto didn't even know what happened. He had already drawn his conclusions and they weren't good. A wave of exhaustion hit me. I signaled for him to give me the notepad back.
I wanted to ask if I could have a book or television or something. It's boring in here.
Agosto let out a frustrated breath. "You don't even have to stay here. I could send you back to Vegas."
The dangling carrot held potential. I could leave. If I wanted to. The question was did I want to? I wasn't so sure anymore. Luciano seemed like the kind of man who wouldn't let go so easily. I also wanted to learn more about him. I was curious. Why did he take me? What was his plan? Why did he set my body on fire despite the abuse? I was a fucked-up individual. I knew that. But I couldn't help wanting to satisfy that thirst.No, I'd like to stay a while. I don't have anything waiting back there for me in Vegas.I looked down at the words as they grew blurry. It was true. There was nothing in Vegas for me. Ruby was gone. Any family I might have had didn't want me. I wasn't claimed. I had no one. Except for Luciano.
"Oh, shit. You knew the girl someone murdered from my club, didn't you?" Agosto's mouth hung partway open.
I nodded my head, even though it made me feel a little dizzy and off balanced.
"Can you tell me who her associates were? Was there any reason for her to be killed like that?"
I hung my head to the floor, the thought of Ruby causing my heart to ache.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking about how this would affect you." He at least looked ashamed for his line of questioning.
She did cocaine. So, she had some association with drug dealers, but she had no problems with anyone. She was sweet. She didn't do anything to anybody.I wrote so fast and so passionately that the pen poked a small hole in the paper.
Agosto let out a pronounced sigh. He exhaled noisily through his pursed lips. "Do you need anything from your home? I could send someone to get your things."
I nodded my head with wide eyes.I would love that. Everything needs packing up. Ruby had no one before she started stripping; she was a street liver. I'm her only family. It was just us against the world.
Agosto's features pinched in pain, and he nodded his head. "Right, I'll send some men there and whatever they can send here, they will. I'll pay for the rest to go into storage until we know what we are going to do with you."
I shot him a half-grin and whimpered when the pain in my jaw grew. I was not supposed to be using my mouth at all. If I didn't remember the things the doctor told me, I would never heal.
"What the fuck are you doing in here,fratello?" Luciano's husky timbre came from behind Agosto. He stood in the doorway, his arms crossed and teeth bared in our direction. I noted that Agosto and I were standing close to each other. It must have happened with the conversation naturally. It was easier to hand the notepad over when I wasn't stretching my arm as far as it could reach.
"I heard the bell, so I answered,fratello." Agosto turned sideways so he could watch both Luciano and me. His mouth turned into a lopsided grin and he fluttered his lashes at me like a woman. I held back laughter at his antics. I looked at Luciano, whose jaw clenched. I gulped. He wasn't happy about this. Not at all.
"Why didn't you have a servant help with whatever myfioreneeded?" Luciano was throwing off a menacing vibe. I backed into the bed. There was no room between me and the mattress. It was easier to sit on the bed, which I did. I didn't want to be in the middle of this. Whatever this was.
"You should have been taking care of yourfiore. Careful,fratello, toys left out may get snatched up by someone who appreciates them more."
It didn't take a rocket scientist to understand I was the toy in this scenario. I got the feeling Agosto didn't want me, he wanted to needle Luciano, which was exactly what he accomplished.
"Non condivido, fratello," Luciano spat. He stalked toward Agosto and towered over him.
