Page 12 of Don't Break My Heart
Romeo smiles a little cheekily. “This place has seven bedrooms. You have your own room, doll face.” He wraps an arm around my waist and directs me out of the kitchen and back into the living space. Off to one side is a set of stairs, and we take them down another floor.
“This floor has all of our bedrooms on it, so none of us will ever be too far away. But yours is the best.” He takes me down a hallway and pushes open a set of double doors to reveal the most opulent bedroom I think I have ever seen. One side of the room features a king-size bed, its ornate posts adorned with flowing, luxurious drapery. Off to the other side is an open bathroom, the shower on full display of the bed. Running down the center of the room looking out over the stunning view is a heated pool, the steam rising into the air.
“This room is insane,” I gasp in awe, moving further into it.
He brushes my hair to one side, his lips dropping to my neck. “A little escape. I’m not going to make any promises about your time here, Sloane. What we have to do isn’t going to be easy. But when it all gets to be too much, at least you will have this place to retreat to.”
I raise a brow, knowing he’s trying to be sweet but kind of not able to stand it. It’s easier when we’re fighting. “What, and you’re hoping I’ll bring you with me? I see your dirty mind at work, Romeo. You’re all sweet so I’ll spread my legs for you,” I snip back, just to get a rise. Ican’t deal with the mushy shit right now, not when I know I need to keep my wits about me.
He grips me tighter, his fingers pressing into my waist, and the other hand takes a handful of my hair as he forces me to stare into his eyes. I see his pain, his frustration; he’s a man on the edge. “I am sweet, doll face, I would do fucking anything for you.” He huffs out a pained breath then sucks in air again, and I know he’s in a huge amount of pain.
My hands move to his ribs, lightly brushing over them, like my touch alone can heal him.
“I tried to hide you from him. From this messed-up family. But here we are both trapped in this fucked-up situation. Least I can do is offer you a little light in the dark.” His face moves closer to mine, his lips dropping to my neck. “Stop pushing me away with your smart mouth, let me take care of you.”
My breath catches, not able to deal with Romeo like this. But as his lips press delicate kisses down my neck and clavicle, I can’t help but melt into him just for a second and pretend we’re back at home, but then my eyes pop open and I see the opulent room in front of me. This place is just an expensive prison, another way they can all control me and use me to their advantage. I take a shaky step back from him. “The only one who can take care of me now is me. I trusted you guys in the past and look where it got me.”
Just for a second his head drops, and I see the defeat in his eyes, then his confidence shifts and he straightens his shoulders. “Things in this world are never as easy as they look. You have to put your trust in us, Sloane, we’re all you have. I can’t speak for my brother, but you have to know that Onyx, Reef, and I will do everything we can to protect you and bring you back to Ravens Hollow and your life as soon as possible.”
I stare deep into his soul, knowing it’s true. This man would do anything for me, but this world isn’t in his control, and we both know sometimes his hands are tied.
“His brother would as well.” Orlando’s voice comes from behind me, and I spin to find him watching us together, his shoulder leaning into the doorway like he’s comfortable and has been there a while. I’m sure he has, creeper.
Romeo doesn’t let go of me as his brother moves toward us. His eyes run over me, lingering on the way Romeo holds me lovingly. “Be ready to leave here at seven. Valentine wants to meet with us at The Voliera, one of our clubs. I hope your acting skills are good. In my home you can be whoever you desire, but out there, you’re Ava Moretti and you belong to me. Every fucker in the country needs to see it. It’s the only way I can keep you safe. What our papa said to you on the jet is no lie. His enemies are now our enemies, and together we are stronger.”
I glare back at him. This is what that fucking show was about in the car. He thinks me playing the part of his dutiful wife will protect me, or at least that’s the act he’s putting on now, but I know him better.
Chapter 6
IenterTheVolieraon Orlando’s arm, with Romeo to my other side and Reef and Onyx behind us. I have a gun strapped to my thigh and my trusty knife in the pocket of my short skirt. My make-up is painted to perfection, and my designer outfit alone must be worth more than a small car. My ankle is strapped up, just so I could get it in the heeled boots I apparently needed to wear to play the part of Orlando’s wife. The swelling has mostly reduced, but it’s still a little sensitive to walk on. My hair is in a high ponytail hanging long and straight down my back. I look expensive, every bit the part of a don’s wife, and I see the way the other patrons watch us and whisper behind hands to shield their mouths as we weave our way through the crowd. I might not understand the language or know another person in this place, but they know me, and it’s damn obvious I’m the talk of the town.
Orlando glides me past a couple of bouncers and down a set of stairs to a basement room where dancers shake their more-than-half-naked bodies in gold cages that look a lot like large birdcages, to music that thumps through the air with a dramatic dance beat. Men in expensive well-fitted suits gather with drinks in cut crystal. They hold cigars between their fingers, puffing smoke into the already thick air. Some enjoy a lap dance while others gather in groups, talking rowdily as they play card games. Golden chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and off toone side is a lit-up bar that showcases every type of liquor you could possibly desire. Unlike in my club, the girls serving are in skimpy little lingerie sets, some playful and others leaving less to the imagination. The atmosphere is erotic as hell, and I get a flutter of excitement being back in this type of environment. I glance at Romeo and notice the way his lips curl at the sides; he knows it as well.
As we arrive at a table, a gorgeous man in a dark gray suit stands and approaches us. I already know who he is without him having to utter a word. He has a family resemblance to his brothers in a lot of ways—the dark wavy hair, the intense deep brown eyes, his stature, even the way he walks—but there is something different in the way he smiles, something a little unnerving.
“Valentine,” Romeo greets him first, a hand to his back.
Orlando’s arm slips from my waist as he also greets his brother, but he’s a little more stand-offish, with just a shake of the hand, and I already get the impression he doesn’t trust him. His hand comes to the small of my back, and he presents me to him. “This is my lovely wife, Ava, and her two guards, Onyx and Reef.” He motions toward them.
I hold a hand in his direction for him to shake, but he takes it, pulling me toward him, kissing both my cheeks instead. His eyes roam over me from head to toe. “Very lovely,” he says a little too close to my ear and in a way that grates against my skin. Romeo, I took an instant liking to, Orlando had to grow on me, but this brother, he’s something else entirely, and I already know I’m not going to like him.
“Nice to meet you.” I fake a smile, making sure he sees my reaction to him.
Something dark and dangerous dances in his eyes as he looks me over. Then he clicks his fingers in the direction of a stunning woman who sits quietly alone, drinking from a champagne glass. She standsinstantly and walks toward us elegantly. Her long jade-green velvet dress clinging to her body in a way that shows off her curves but also doesn’t give too much away, with its full sleeves and high neck. “This is my wife Margherita, you will make friends. The men need to talk.”
Irritation slithers down my spine. “Nice to meet you, Margherita.” I smile warmly toward the shy girl. She’s young, probably my age, with hair dark as night, shimmering in the low light as she brushes it over her shoulder delicately with a perfectly manicured finger. “I’m sure we will make good friends.” My attention returns to her asshole of a husband, my grin widening as I meet his dark eyes head-on. “But for now, if you’re talking business, then I will be staying.”
I see the tick of irritation in his eyes even though he tries to mask it with a chuckle and a smile. “It’s very boring, darling, really. You would have much more fun having a nice glass of something sparkling and relaxing. You have had a long flight, after all.” He tries to be charming, pleasant even, but I can see right past his niceties.
“I’ll have a whiskey, two fingers. Where are we sitting for this meeting, darling?” I throw his creepy nickname back at him. It wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t the very same one his papa was calling me by.
He drops the pleasant attitude, turning his attention to Orlando. “You need to teach her our ways,” he snaps, a bitterness to his tone I don’t appreciate.
Orlando’s hand finds mine in a show of solidarity. “Ava can stay. Anything you have to say to me, you can do it with her by my side.”
I don’t look his way; I don’t have to. He’s got my back, and a small flutter of hope ignites within me. I also don’t miss the subtle raise of her eyebrow as Margherita watches us all interact. She can’t believe how brazen I am and that my husband wants me by his side.
Onyx hands me a drink, two fingers of amber liquid, just as I asked. I have no idea where it came from, but I give him a little smile, glad he’s playing along as well.
