Page 90 of Captured Fantasy

“We have to go,” I whispered.

She turned. “What? Why?”

I took her face in my hand and her violet eyes looked up at me, trusting. “I’ll explain everything, but come with me. Now.”

I took her by the hand and led her towards the door, brushing past warm bodies gathered in the hall and front room. Everything looked calm and pleasant, but my senses tingled like a live wire as I pulled her out into the cold. Ahmed still stood at his corner and he dipped his head as we descended to the snowy walkway.

The street was dark and I glanced up, noticing the lamps had been put out. I pulled her out beyond the cars and took my gun out from beneath my jacket.

“Cosimo,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “What’s happening?”

“Lucien is going to kill the boss and take over the outfit,” I whispered. “I have to get you to safety now.”

She gaped at me, slipping in the snow as I pulled her up onto the sidewalk. I knelt impatiently and unfastened her heels, removing them. She flexed her toes, shifting her feet against the snowy pavement.

“We need to walk fast and I need to be able to shoot. I’m sorry about your feet, I’ll put you in a warm bath when we get back,” I said urgently.

She nodded, her eyes wide and her lashes wet. God, the way she trusted me was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Forcing myself not to get distracted, I took her hand and we hurried down the sidewalk to where the truck sat. I lifted her inside, dropping her heels in her lap, and turned to circle the car.

From the corner of my eyes, through the trees, I caught a subtle movement and I whirled, raising my gun. Silence reigned as I backed up slowly, opening the truck door and scrambling inside. I turned it on, the engine choking and coming to life.

Pressing my foot to the gas, I sped out into the dark, slippery street. Putting as much space as I could between the woman beside me and anyone who might dare to hurt her.

“Cosimo,” she whispered.

“Yes, baby,” I murmured.

“You knew about this,” she said slowly.

“I knew of it, but I didn’t know it was tonight.”

I glanced over at her, studying her profile. My God, she was so perfect it made my chest ache. I reached out and gripped her thigh through the silky fabric of her dress, her warmth seeping through to my palm. She looked down and ran her fingertips across my wrist, weaving her hand over mine. Her little palm felt fragile and cold.

“What did he promise you?” she whispered.

“I’ll be his right hand,” I said.

She breathed in rapidly. “My God.”

We didn’t speak again until we were back at my condo. I bolted the doors, shoving a chair beneath the knob, and turned to face her. She stood in the center of the room with her arms wrapped around her body and her eyes wide. I’d never seen Enza like this before. Her face was frozen, her lips parted, and her skin was flushed. It was like her body was battling fear and arousal and she’d just realized it was a losing fight.

I went to her, pulling her against me. I knew somewhere there would be blood tonight and in the morning the world would be a different place. But right here, between these walls, there was nothing but this woman. There was no tomorrow, no one to tell us not to imagine a world where everything would fall right into place.

I stripped my jacket and vest, tossing them aside. She gave a quiet gasp as I lifted her in my arms, placing her on the kitchen counter. I caught her breath in my lips, tasting her essence on my tongue as I kissed her deeply. Her hands slid up my chest and began winding my tie through her fingers, pulling me near. She pushed my head down, spreading her thighs and arcing her back.

“Have you got something for me to take care of, baby?” I whispered.

She nodded. “I’m so wet thinking about you like that.”

“Like what?”

“The boss’s right hand,” she said, a trace of shame in her tone. “Maybe I shouldn’t care, but it makes me so wet. You deserve this, Cosimo.”

I seized her wrists, pulling her close. My mouth hovered over hers. “Does money make you wet, Mrs. Russo?”

She bit her lip, moaning.

“Come on now, you can tell me,” I urged.

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