Page 6 of Dare To Free Us

“You’ll wait for me? Fully?” Arianna asked in challenge.

I knew what she meant. She was asking if I would stop sleeping with other women. In truth, I hadn’t been with a woman since that day. Every time I thought about taking some random woman home I see Arianna’s face in my mind and feel her body in my hands and end up going home alone. “Yes. But you have to be patient. I may have a lot of people in high places in my pocket, but if word gets out that I’m dating a seventeen year old…”

“I get it Matteo. No more until I’m eighteen.”

“Not to mention your parents.”

“I know. I don’t want to hurt them either.”

“Good girl.” She beamed at me as I stroked my hand through her long, near black hair that was softer than silk. Her body felt so good pressed to mine I didn’t want to let her go. Her head fell onto my chest and I held her to me like she was a safe place within a sea of chaos.

After tonight I could sleep— alone— as a happy man knowing the woman I wanted would be mine.

“Matteo?”

“Yes.”

“Can you please kiss me again? Just one more time before I have to go?”

With great pleasure I tilted her head back and kissed her with an aching tenderness I didn’t know I possessed. Arianna breathed in deep through her nose and drew me in like I was the very breath she needed to survive. My heart leapt against my ribs.

“WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?”

The angry voice split the air like an atom bomb, accompanied by the music suddenly pouring into the room. I knew who it was before I looked up.

“Daddy!” Arianna squealed, twisting in my arms.

Alessio Dellucci stood in my doorway with Luca and my father. He stared at me with pure hatred in his eyes. I couldn’t blame him, I was the filthy piece of shit older man kissing his young daughter. And if he had been so inclined to look, there was no missing the steel rod in my pants.

Luca had an apologetic look on his face. He’d asked and I’d assured him I wouldn’t lose my shit being alone with her. If Luca had had less faith in me he would’ve sent a text warning me that my father and Alessio had arrived. Now I could tell he felt guilty as shit. But he would have to wait because Alessio was throwing daggers at my face with his eyes.

“Alessio, I can explain.” Could I? Not in any way that he would care though.

He barreled past my dad toward us, looking like he would tear the room apart in his wake. Alessio wasn’t a big man and didn’t have intimidating features but even for his age he looked healthy and fit.

“Get your hands off my daughter.” He reached for her and I pulled Arianna away from his grasp. Alessio’s eyes burned like fire.

“Not until you calm down.”

“Take your hands off my daughter now, you manipulating, sick bastard,” he seethed.

“Easy, Alessio. Don’t forget you are talking to my son.” My father had casually sat down on one of the couches set against the mirrored glass facing each other.

“Daddy stop, I want him. He didn’t manipulate me.” Arianna fisted my jacket in her hands, trying to mold herself to my side.

“You are seventeen, of course he did! He corrupted your innocent mind!”

Now I fumed with anger, his comments earlier were deserved but I’d be damned if he accused me of something so fucked up.

“Careful, Alessio,” I warned in a low voice. Luca moved in behind him for emphasis. Arianna flinched at the fear that sparked in her father’s features.

“She has no business being with you,” Alessio snarled.

“I know what you are thinking but you can cut that shit right now.” I pulled Arianna into me tighter. “I have true feelings for your daughter. More than enough to give you my word I won’t lay a hand on her until she is eighteen.”

“I don’t care what you promise. She’s a good girl, young. She deserves…”

He let the words, better than you die on his tongue. He knew it, I knew it, but my father sitting ten feet away would have probably put a bullet in his head at the insult. For Arianna’s sake I’m glad Alessio reined in his temper. Not to mention Alessio was a good, loyal partner who I genuinely enjoyed working with.

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