Page 83 of His to Have
I damn near wore a line in the floor, because I was on the verge of flying off the handle and wielding the power my name gave me. Things had been tense. For days.
After everything that had happened over the last couple of months — the kidnapping attempt, the surprise arranged marriage to a man I’ve always loved but tried to keep at a distance, the wedding assassinations, my father being in critical condition — Teo had let me do what I wanted.
For the most part.
As long as security was in place, I was free to roam and do as I pleased. But something about the last two weeks and Bianca dying, shit got real. This was the first time Teo put me on ice. And now my dumbasssecurity won’t even listen to me.
“I’m leaving. So, you might as well get outta my way.” I crossed my arms, digging my nails into my own skin to keep from screaming. “Move.” I stopped in front of the huge tower of a man guarding the back door.
With a straight face the man, who I paid to protect me, looked me dead in the eye when he said, “No.”
Was this his job? Of course it was. Did I care? Not really.
I wanted out of this house. I had things to do, shit I’d postponed, and family and friends to check on. Things had gone from tense to volatile in a matter of days. Bianca’s death had triggered a chain reaction of events, and now everyone was on edge. Including my husband.
Teo was on a warpath, and now that shit had hit the fan, he had me tucked away like some helpless woman who wasn’t capable of protecting herself.
Anger crawled up my spine and settled right at the base of my head.
“Mrs. Donatelli,” he said again, quieter this time. Almost like he was asking for permission to do his job.
Being cooped up in this house for two weeks straight was making me crazy. Outside of one family meeting, a meeting with faction leaders, and a visit to my parents’ home I’d been in this house. It’s been nothing but a series of monotonous days blending into each other.
Until both Orlando and Isabella were dead and buried by my husband’s hand, I had no chance of finding that little bit of balance I asked for when I was made aware of this marriage arrangement. When Orlando couldn’t produce Isabella within the twenty-four-hour time frame, all hell broke loose.
“I don’t want to stand in your way. But if I let you go without clearance…” His words trailed, and he didn’t have to finish for me to understand the implication. He wouldn’t make it home to his family if he disobeyed a direct order.
I pressed my tongue to the roof of my mouth, holding back the slew of curse words I wanted to hurl his way. Heat crawled up my neck as I went back to my reckless pacing.
I hadn’t told Teo about the call I’d gotten earlier or the reason I needed to visit my boutique. I wasn’t trying to add to his stress, especially with something I could easily handle on my own. Something I’d been handling on my own since the day I purchased the building and put my name on the glass windows.
The contractor I’d hired to complete the restoration after it had been vandalized, had called to confirm its completion. I didn’t need Teo to accompany me for this. For me, it was simple. I could slip out quietly, handle the inspection of the work, and be back before lunch time. But the more I tried to reason with my detail the more they denied my request to leave.
Finally, I turned and stomped down the lengthy hallway, back toward the front entrance. My stiletto-clad feet clicked against the mahogany hardwood floor, while my patience thinned with every step. I needed to have a word with the head of my detail, Sham. Maybe, he’d listen to reason, or at the very least have some loyalty to me.
At the entrance, two men stood, both of them stock still and clearly under the same strict orders. However, that didn’t stop me from saying, “I’m going to my boutique, Sham. Please go grab the car.”
“Mrs. Donatelli, we can’t allow that,” he spoke, his tone even. “Mr. Donatelli gave strict orders.”
“Yeah, I’m aware.” I stopped in front of him and tilted my head just slightly. “Is my name not Mrs. Donatelli too? He’s not the only one around here capable of dishing out orders.” I challenged, crossing my arms, almost defiantly.
Sham didn’t answer right away, and that pause, it spoke volumes. He didn’t want to deny me, but there was a hierarchyhere. We all knew this. Teo’s orders were to keep me safe, even if that meant keeping me in the house.
Before he could offer some weak explanation, the door pushed open behind him. I didn’t even have to glance up to see it was Teo.
“Everyone out. Now.” His voice rolled through the foyer.
Arlo and the other guard exchanged a look but got the hell out of dodge. With a quick nod, they each stepped back, exiting the room the same way I’d come in. The silence they left behind stretched, long and heavy. Letting me know, he heard me giving them a hard time.
I could feel him watching me. Not justlooking— but watching. Taking inventory of the way my arms were crossed, the subtle tension in my shoulders, the fact that I hadn’t moved since he walked in.
“Giving them a hard time won’t change the orders I gave.” He told me in a matter-of-fact tone. “And just so we’re clear, your safety ain’t up for debate.”
He closed the distance between us, his jacket partially open. His dark slacks were tailored to perfection, and the cuff of his sleeves rolled up just enough to show his expensive watch. A rich woodsy scent reached me first. He smelled intoxicating.
Once we were toe to toe, he stopped. And I couldn’t help but breathe. “I know, but I’m going stir crazy in here” I gestured around the house. “All I’ve seen for the past fourteen days is Sham, and the few staff members. I need to get out, even if just for a little while.” My voice softened, hoping to appeal to Teo’s more understanding side. “I promise I’ll be careful. I just need a change of scenery before I lose my mind. The contractor called. My boutique is complete, and I need to at least go look at the work that’s been done.”
“Nah, not until I get a location on Isabella and Orlando. I can’t take any chances.”
