Page 11 of Don't Break My Heart
Jagger winds down his window as a guard moves out of a little box to the side of the gate and approaches the car, the gun at his front visible.
“I have Mr. Orlando Moretti, Mrs. Ava Moretti, and Mr. Romeo Moretti, along with their guards,” he explains to the guard, sounding way too formal to be my brother.
The guard motions for Orlando to wind down his window and nods when he sees it’s him inside the car. “You can go through, Mr. Moretti.” He presses a button, and the gates slide open slowly with a groan.
I don’t know why, but I suck in a deep breath, I think trying to prepare myself for what comes next. I’m so far out of my comfort zone I have no idea how else to cope with this situation. From behind, I feel Onyx’s hand come to my shoulder, a gentle pressure that tells me he’s here with me. And fuck, it’s everything.
The car travels down a cobblestone driveway lined with citrus trees that leads us to a stunning villa, nestled on the edge of a cliff. It’s not what I was expecting, but it probably should have been. It’s massive, its whitewashed stucco walls stretching far beyond what I can see. It’s the kind of place you would expect to see in a Hollywood movie, with rose vines delicately growing up one side of the building and off to the other the view of the ocean. The contrast of the vibrant red of the roses is beautiful, even if they make me think of Orlando’s creepy stalker gifts over the years.
“I told you you would like it, doll face. How can you not.” Romeo smiles at me, all charm, but I can see how hard he’s having to force it this time. He helps me out of the car, wrapping his arms around me, and he kisses my forehead as he holds me for a beat.
Onyx and Reef follow us out the same side, Reef watching us together as he moves around the back of the car.
Orlando hops out the other side, not paying us any attention.
The boys grab our bags before I have even had a chance to take it all in. I move out of Romeo’s hold and slowly toward the front door of the villa, following along behind Jagger and his armful of bags. I never thought I would see the day when he was the lackey for a Moretti; it’s almost comical. I feel Onyx by my side and Reef flanking the other. Even behind security gates with armed guards, they’re still on high alert. Their overprotectiveness makes my palms sweat, not knowing if it’s overkill or they know something I don’t about this place.
I take two limestone steps up to the main entry and gasp in awe when we enter the villa. It’s unlike any place I’ve ever been, opulent and lavish, with rich fabrics, gleaming surfaces, and an air of extravagance I’ve never experienced. Sunlight streams into the foyer, illuminating the lush, overflowing pots of white phalaenopsis orchids. A light sea breeze, carrying the scent of salt, wafts through the air in a way that speaks of summer vacations of the rich and famous and makes me feel immediately out of place.
A young woman approaches me dressed in all black, a monogram over her chest that reads Moretti like this is a fucking hotel and she’s staff. “Mrs. Moretti, can I take your coat?” she asks, her voice super sweet and thick with her Italian accent.
I blink back at her, and when she keeps smiling at me, I shrug off my jacket and hand it to her. I’m not going to get used to this Mrs. Moretti bullshit. “Please call me Sloane.” I offer a tight smile.
She gives me a funny look and nods. “Anything you need, please be sure to let me know, Mrs. Moretti.” She wanders off back to wherever it was she came from with my coat.
I glance at Reef, and he smirks cheekily at the way she completely ignored my request. “You’re going to have to get used to it, wildcat. You’re a Moretti now.”
“Never,” I mutter under my breath.
“I’m going to check out the lower floor, you do a sweep of this one,” Onyx calls in Reef’s direction. The two of them move further into the villa, all businesslike.
Jagger and Cruz drop the last of our luggage in the front foyer. Cruz moves toward me, his arms outstretched as he pulls me into a tight hug. “Time to say goodbye, little sis.”
My heart races instantly. “What? No, you can’t go already.” My eyes bounce between the two of them.
Jagger offers a lopsided smile. “We’re just your drivers. Cruz and I have a plane to catch back home.”
I can feel my bottom lip drop, and I bite the inside of my mouth to stop the tears that threaten to fall. I miss my brothers so much, and I don’t want to be stuck in a strange country without them.
Cruz pulls me even closer, his tight hug nearly knocking the air out of my lungs. “Remember where you came from and who you are.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, knowing with every day I’m away from them all and Ravens Hollow, I forget more.
When I reluctantly pull back from him, Jagger is right there to take his place, hugging me just as tightly. “You’re bad to the bone, baby. Keep these Moretti boys on their toes and take no shit from anyone. Especially Orlando.” He whispers the last part just for me.
I give him a confident nod, knowing he’s right, even if I don’t feel badass right now. I have to dig deep and find something to get me through. “I’ll see you soon,” I say, trying to force a smile for him.
“That’s the attitude.” Jagger knocks my chin with his fist, and Cruz gives me a wave, then they’re out the door. Gone, leaving me again.
Orlando closes the door behind them and flicks the lock, his eyes fixed on me in a way I don’t like. In an “I own you now” kind of way that turns my stomach. I spin away from him. I can’t deal with the deep emotion in his eyes right now. Who is he, anyway? I’m not sure I even know him at all, with all the lies and fucking secrets he’s been keeping from me since he locked me up on his island.
Holding onto the banister with my shaky hand, I take the foyer stairs down to a lavish living space with arched windows that look out over the breathtaking view of the ocean and the sheer cliff face this villa is perched on. A stone fireplace sits pride of place in the center of the room, with overstocked bookcases off to each side. Its resemblance to Orlando’s island home is obvious in a way that sends a shiver down my spine, and I already know this is where he was living before he came to America to get me. Before he nearly died and his life was changed forever.
A fully equipped kitchen sits to the right, the glossy white of the cupboards and the cool smoothness of the ivory marble countertops the lap of luxury. I run a finger over the surface, not a speck of dust in sight. This place has been sitting here for years untouched, but it looks like a cleaning crew has been through in preparation for us to arrive here today. What, does Orlando just snap his fingers and the minions come running in their little Moretti uniforms to cater to his every need? Sure looks that way. Before arriving here, I knew his family was wealthy, but nothing could have prepared me for the extent of their fortune.
Romeo appears in the kitchen in front of me, and he watches me with curiosity. Like he’s no longer sure how to approach me. Like I’m a horse about to bolt. And he’s not wrong; even I don’t know what I’m about to do. “You want me to show you to your room?” he asks, his voice devoid of its usual confidence.
“I have my own room?” I can’t help but ask, a little surprised. I guess I thought since I was Orlando’s wife and he has this “I own you” complex, I would be in with him.
