Page 88 of Caruso
I shake my head as if it will help and say on a ragged breath.
“We heard tires outside and the guardhouse called. A car had stopped short and tossed a suitcase into the road before screaming off. I have never run so fastas I did that day, my heart in shattered shards of jagged pain. I knew it was her. Deep down, I looked for hope but found nothing but bitter pain. The guards hauled the case behind the gates to the back of the guardhouse. They opened it and I swear–”
I break off, too emotional to carry on, and Taylor stands and yet still says nothing, merely flings her arms around my neck and buries her face in my neck. She kisses it softly, and the comfort she gives me tugs on my heart, and as my arms crush her to me, I whisper, “Loretta lay inside the case in pieces, alongside photographs of everything they subjected her to. I will not go into details, but you can imagine her brutal ending. I have never recovered.”
I grip her tightly, and my voice is gruff as I hiss, “We hunted as a pack. Three brothers with murder in mind. One by one we took them all down and spared nobody. We butchered their families, staff and associates in the most brutal of ways. You believe Giorgio is the mad one, the only difference is he wears his madness in plain sight. The men responsible for Loretta’s death took double the time to die that they held her. We made it painful, cruel and unrelenting, and every scream and cry of terror, every drop of blood and organ that fell was her revenge. It didn’t help with the pain, but it avenged her murder to a point.”
It’s as if Taylor is no longer here as I whisper, “We were done. We had lost everything we cared about and only had each other. We sold up, took off to Vegas and the rest you know. The trouble with moving state,your pain comes along for the ride and if we thought distance would make us forget, we were wrong. This place helps; it takes away a little of the madness, and we reconnect with all the good in the world. Now you can see why we are guarded, ruthless and emotionally drained. I had lost all hope of ever being human again until we recognized the same madness in you.”
I kiss her soft hair and whisper huskily, “You were lost; we understand how that feels. You wore your pain behind your bravery and used it against your enemies. It’s qualities we admire, are accustomed to and when you dealt with your demons in the most savage way, we knew you belonged with us.”
This time she pulls back, and the tears running down her beautiful face drip onto her soft smile.
“Thank you for telling me, Tommaso. I understand now.”
I wipe her tears away and kiss her softly on the lips. I surprise myself more than her with my actions, but it feels too right to be wrong.
“So you control rather than deal with surprises. I understand why that’s important to you.”
I smudge away her eyeliner that has run down under her eyes and whisper, “Allowing yourself to be controlled by somebody with your best interests at heart can be liberating, princess. Let me control you to set you free. We can all offer you something you need, and there is no shame in that.”
“Insharing?”
She appears so vulnerable out here among nature, unlike our warrior assassin, who takes no shit in Vegas.
“Being with three people who all offer you something different is nothing to be ashamed about. We are emotionally retarded evil men who crave the soft touch of a woman like everyone else. We are hard, unyielding and belligerent, but you, Taylor, you would give us purpose. For all the wealth to count for something. A family, if you like. Think about it, princess, decide if you can take pity on three assholes who always want the best.”
She leans in and kisses me so sweetly it takes a moment to realize that the pain isn’t hitting as hard as before. Confessing to Taylor something that slays me every time I allow it in, has been beneficial in so many ways. For me and for her, because now she has purpose, a challenge if you like and, above all else, a reason to stay.
Chapter Forty-One
Taylor
Inever expected such a brutal history, and I’m sad for their loss. Devastated for them and angry and fearful all at the same time. It took a lot for Tommaso to open his heart and let me in, and as I snuggle against him as we stare over the mountains, I’m guessing things have changed.
I can’t leave now, not after that. It’s made me realize just how alike we all are. They may enjoy wealth, but they are as emotionally damaged as I am, which puts us on an equal footing.
Perhaps I can help them heal. They have already started the process with me, and Tommaso is right. They can all offer me something different, so why not give it a shot?
After a while, Tommaso kisses my neck and whispers, “Come, we should eat. It’s been hours since the breakfast you never ate. You must be hungry.”
I love how he takes my hand in his and walks besideme on the way down. We could be any other couple hiking, not the fucked-up duo we certainly are.
When we arrive back at the house, I kick off my sneakers and head into the huge living area, once again marveling at the view.
Tommaso disappears for a moment and then returns with an abrupt, “Follow me; the lunch has been set out in the dining room.”
I do as he says, and when I head inside another doorway, I blink in surprise at the oversized table stretching along the room, staring out at another stunning view.
A huge fireplace dominates one end, but it isn’t lit; it’s not cold enough for that. There is a painting above of a beautiful woman, and I instantly know who she is.
I stand before it and smile. “You are very much alike.”
His hand slips into mine.
“She got all the personality and the looks. I am happy to admit that.”
His voice is soft and emotional, and I squeeze his hand and say casually, “So, how does this domination thing work?”
