Page 12 of Cold

ChapterFive

ROMARE

I peekedout from around the corner. Vito sat on the chair he'd been on the night before and his friend relaxed on the couch. How could anyone look so laid back around him? Vito's eyes landed on me. He raised his hand and beckoned me forward. And I went.

My plan had backfired hard. I was supposed to walk out, touch him, and see if I could drag him into bed before the stranger arrived. But I'd messed up the timing. Stupid hot shower. It felt too good to get out early.

I moved over to the chair and stood beside Vito. Even though he was new, he was now familiar. And he worked for Amadeo. I knew he wouldn't let anything happen to me, but I didn't know about the stranger across from me.

"He looks like a scared little doe," the man drawled. "How adorable."

Vito's hand wrapped around my thigh and he yanked me backward. I stumbled and clutched my cat as my eyes widened. When I gazed down at him, he wasn't looking at me. But the glare on his face made a shiver race down my spine.

Why did he grab me like that? I stared down at Vito. What was going on inside his head?

"Ignore him, Ro. He's a predator."

The man clicked his tongue. "Who? Innocent ole me? That's a laugh," he purred as he leaned forward and winked at me. "I can admire beauty, can't I? And you are such a pretty thing."

"Tom!"

He held up a hand as I grinned. "Alright, okay," he said as he stood up and laid a case on the coffee table. "Come over here so I can measure you."

Vito's grip tightened when I tried to move. "Did I tell you to walk over there?"

My heart skipped a beat. "N-no, you didn't," I answered as heat coursed through me at his command. "But I thought I was supposed to get measured for clothes?"

"Not until I tell you to move. You're here with me now, that means you need to pay attention to everything. Be smart. I'm the one that has to keep you safe."

My eyes watered as his nails dug in. Delicious pinpricks of pain danced along my skin and I almost melted on the spot. How was I supposed to seduce him when he was already trying to take me apart?

Remember the mission.

"Don't be so hard on him," Tom said, a smile lighting up his face. "I've just got that kind of look that makes people soft on me. Let him come."

Vito released me and part of me didn't want him to. No one had touched me that way. Ever. Sergei was all rough hands and sharp slaps if I moved wrong. But Vito was quiet and strong. It was different.

What are you thinking? Sergei treats me well. He cares about me! This is ungratefulness.

I stiffened. Sergei would be pissed if he heard me having those kinds of thoughts. I shuffled over to Tom, and he looked me over quickly as he mumbled under his breath.

"Do you want me to order some things for him?" he asked Vito. "Or just send out for generic bullshit?"

"I don't care," Vito answered.

See? He doesn't care. Sergei always made sure I was dressed in the best clothes. They were soft, expensive, and carefully picked out before I saw him for the evening. He cared about me.

Tom clicked his tongue. "Ignore Vito. I've known him for many, many years, and yes, he's always making that face," he said as he turned me around and then back toward him. He lifted my chin. "That bone structure. Beautiful," he sighed. "You're a rarity. I'm going to pick out the very best for you."

I toyed with Mr. Whiskers. "It doesn't matter," I muttered. "Anything is fine."

Tom glared over my shoulder. "Look what you did! Now he's all mopey."

When he turned me back to face Vito, I kept my head down. Thankfully, my hair covered my field of vision and I didn't have to look at him. I felt the coolness of Tom's measuring tape against my skin and he marked my sizes down in a little booklet he laid out on the table. A pair of feet entered my field of vision and Vito gripped my chin, lifting my head up.

"Stop moping."

I blinked up at him. "Sorry."

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