Page 6 of Baratta's Darkness

Fiona

Why the fuck is he here? I think to myself as he holds the passenger side door open for me. I knew the club had extended the invitation to Mr. Marcus and we girls have stayed in touch with Morgania so naturally we expected them. But did they honestly have to bring him along?

I know that I am being a little petty. He seems to be their body guard or something. I’ve never really asked what exactly he does. I do know one thing for sure. The Marcus family is a well known Mob organization.

“Pull around to the back please.” I point to the driveway leading to the back parking lot as we come up to the shop.

When he stops, I don’t wait for him to get out and open my door. I quickly jump out and head for the building. The less time I am in his company the better.

Reaching the landing of the stairs that lead up to the attached apartment that I moved into, I hear him get out and walk across the gravel behind me.

“You don’t have to come up. Thank you for the ride though.” I look back at him and think that maybe I shouldn’t have. My eyes are glued to his just as they were that very first night and I feel as though I can’t get enough air into my lungs.

“I am sure Blood would appreciate me checking everything out before I just leave you all alone.” The corner of his mouth lifts as he walks around me going up the stairs to my door.

Instead of saying anything else to the stubborn ass, I follow him up the stairs. Reaching the door I notice there is a package with my name on it. Picking it up, I take it inside with me.

“Did you really not lock the door while you were gone?” Baratta asks as he walks into the kitchen.

“This is White Summer, not Seattle or New Orleans. If anything happens here, my brother takes care of it.” I shrug my shoulders as I reach to open the box that was left for me on the porch.

As it opens up, I remove the tissue paper that is on top to reveal what looks to be a cut out of me from a picture that was taken. But the picture is clearly from when I was in the shower as you can see the water running down my back. In bold black ink down my back someone has written MINE.

“What the fuck?” I breathe out as all I can do is look at it. Baratta’s hand comes from beside me grabbing the cutout and examining it.

“I am going to assume that you did not willingly pose for this picture?” Baratta says through gritted teeth. I am unsure if he is pissed about the picture or the thought that I would actually willingly pose for it.

“Of course not!” As I reach out to grab the picture from him hoping to hide it, I see more writing on the back. In angry red letters it says, “Did you think you could leave me behind?”

I sink down into a chair as a cold chill seems to start at my toes and move up my body. Baratta is so busy looking at the picture and ignoring me that he doesn’t even notice when I put my head between my knees and struggle to breathe.

“So, it’s a threat then.” He states matter of factly.

“We don’t know if it’s a threat. There isn’t a note in the box.” I snap back. I don’t know if it’s his attitude, his presence or what it is but just seconds ago I was on the verge of a panic attack. Now I just want to hit him and make him leave.

“You are not naive Fi, so don’t act like it. We need to let your brother and his club know about this.”

“Absolutely not! There is no need to get them involved just yet. We don’t even know what this is anyway.”

I know I should do what he says and tell my family. However; I’m still hurt by the way he left me in New Orleans and especially pissed about him just disappearing the last time he was here without so much as a word.

“Okay. If you don’t want to tell them then the only thing left to do is for me to stay here with you. I will let Uncle know and we can go pick up my suitcase from the cabin.” He talks so calmly as if it is all settled.

“No. You are not staying here with me. And did you just say Uncle? I didn’t know you brought your Uncle with you.”

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