Page 23 of Don't Break My Heart
“You’re a tease.” He pouts, knowing he’s not going to get his way. He’s kind of adorable like this, weak like a little kitten.
I kiss his lips softly then use the distraction to roll back out of his grip and out of bed. “I have been called worse.” I make my way back to the door. “Get some sleep, I’ll come check on you later.” I blow him a kiss, but his sleepy eyes are already closing.
He mumbles, “Okay, treasure.” Then I’m pretty sure he’s asleep again already.
I close his door and take the steps in search of the other boys.
“I don’t care what your family wants, she’s not leaving the villa today.” I make out Onyx’s deep enraged voice as I tiptoe up the stairs to the main living space from my room.
I have spent the afternoon in bed beside Orlando, not that it made any difference, I didn’t sleep a wink. How can I? I feel like my whole world has been tipped on its axis. My stomach is constantly sick with worry about what is coming next. If he’d died because of me, I could never have forgiven myself. His fucking brother! I knew from the first moment I laid eyes on him he wasn’t to be trusted. He’s a lying, cheating asshole, and while I haven’t quite worked out how to deal with him just yet, one thing is for sure, I don’t want any of the boys to know it was him. He’s our way out.
From what they explained to me yesterday, I can turn down the inheritance and Orlando the chance to be don if we hand it all over to Valentine. At this point it’s a legal issue. One that I hope will be ironed out quickly so I can sign on the dotted line and go back home to my life. I know it’s risky keeping this from the boys, but what’s thealternative? Tell them the truth, they kill their brother, and we have to stay in Italy for the foreseeable future? No, thank you.
Leaning into the wall, I stop before I get to the top of the stairs so I can listen in on what Onyx, Romeo, and Reef are discussing without me. I still don’t trust them; I can’t, they have constantly kept me in the dark.
“I know you think you’re protecting Sloane by keeping her locked up in this place and away from any danger, but the faster we get the legal side of Emilio’s will dealt with, the sooner we can all return to the States,” Romeo explains, his voice filled with tension, and I wonder what I just walked in on. Because it sounds like they’re arguing.
I hear the sound of a chair scraping along the floor, followed by heavy footsteps that I know are Onyx’s. I try to stay hidden in case he’s coming this way. “What happens if it’s another fucking trap? I don’t trust your little brother.”
“I don’t trust him either, Romeo,” Reef agrees with Onyx, his voice just as tight. “What if he was the one who organized that ambush last night? He knew exactly where we were and what time we would be leaving that place.”
“Anyone could have followed us, it’s common knowledge my family own that club,” Romeo says back, but even he doesn’t sound convinced.
“Why are you defending him?” Onyx growls, and I can hear it in his tone he’s about to lose his shit and start throwing punches.
I step onto the top platform of the stairs, knowing it’s time to intervene. I find them all gathered in the kitchen. Reef is the first to spot me, the other two glaring daggers in each other’s direction. Romeo is holding a knife and a tomato, and Onyx is leaning into the marble countertop, a furious expression on his face as the muscles inhis arms bulge out of his T-shirt. Yeah, he’s on edge and about to knock Romeo’s head off.
“Wildcat,” Reef announces his nickname for me as he moves across the room toward me quickly, pulling me in for a quick kiss. “How was your sleep?” He takes my hands in his.
“Fine,” I mutter, even though it was anything but. I’m on edge in a way I have never been before. And these fuckers won’t let me take my sleeping pills.
“Liar.” He laughs.
“Honestly, Reef, I don’t think I’ll sleep properly again until I’m back in my bed in Ravens Hollow.”
He laces his hand with mine and tugs me across the room. “Come and have something to eat, it will make you feel better. Romeo is fixing us something tasty.”
Slipping out of his grip on me, I move into the kitchen and pick up a cherry tomato from the platter Romeo is arranging and pop it in my mouth. “Shouldn’t we be getting ready to go out?” I ask, slightly confused, because last I heard, we had to go meet with the rest of the Moretti family this evening.
Romeo kisses my cheek, pleased to see me. “We’re staying in tonight, doll face, give Orlando some time to recover and Onyx time to organize better security for us and a new car. The family can wait.”
The family can wait.“Okay,” I agree, glancing back at Onyx, knowing this is all his doing. I think he’s surprised Romeo just gave in that easily. Even if he can’t admit it to Onyx, I guess he knows he’s right. And as much as I would like to have this over and done with, I know the boys are exhausted. Orlando has been sleeping for most of the day, and Romeo still looks like he’s been through hell. They need time to recover and process the last week, before we have to face the reality of his family and our new responsibilities.
Romeo collects the platter. “Come and join us on the terrace.”
“I’ll just grab a drink then I’ll be out there.” I offer a half smile.
Reef grabs a bottle of chilled Pinot Grigio from the fridge and four crystal glasses, then follows Romeo outside to the charming outdoor space, where creeping roses frame the view of the ocean. I can smell their sweet scent from here.
Onyx eyes me cautiously and doesn’t move with the other two. His large frame is filled with tension as he watches me open a cupboard and take a glass from the top shelf.
I fill it with ice-cold water from the fridge and take a sip, watching him just as intently. This man would do anything to protect me, I know that for certain. The only problem with that is, it also means lying to me and keeping shit from me if he thinks he’s doing it to keep me safe. And that means there will always be this invisible distance between us. “You still got my pills, big guy?” I ask when the silence gets to me.
His lips form a thin line, unimpressed, but it doesn’t stop him from reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out the little bottle of pills. He takes out two and hands them to me. “We need to get you off these,” he grumbles.
“When you get a chance, ask Orlando how well that goes down,” I sass as I throw them back, kind of pissed he thinks he can control my mental health. “What is it?” I ask when I realize he’s still watching me with that irritated look on his face. Romeo really got his panties in a twist, or have I done something new to irritate him?
“It was Valentine who tried to have you killed, wasn’t it?” His dark eyes lock with mine, demanding the truth.
