Page 29 of A Game of Secrets

"I understand," I nod, "I'll do whatever you need."

"I know," he smiles before walking off towards a door at the back of the room.

Finally elbowing my way to the front of the bar, I shout for a glass of whiskey on the rocks and a bottle of water, not entirely sure of which I need more. The bartender eyes me momentarily, maybe he realizes I look a little nervous.

"Sure thing, sugar," he says, pouring Jack Daniels into a glass. The bartender places my drinks down in front of me. "Anything else?"

"No, thank you," I shout, unsure if he can hear me over the blaring speaker system, handing him $20. I feel the hairs on the back of my neck rise, sensing somebody standing right behind me.

"Hello Topolino," his voice sends a shiver down my spine. I whip my body round to face my stalker, the man from the club, the man who has been leaving me roses, who turned up at my apartment is standing right in front of me, his face plastered with a smug grin.

"You!" is all I can muster.

"Me," he jests.

"The usual?" I hear the bartender ask from behind me. So he comes here regularly then, he's mafia. My stalker nods, "On the rocks tonight Enzo," his eyes never leaving mine. His unrelenting gaze piercing straight through me until I can bare it no longer. I take a sip of my drink to disguise my discomfort. I look back to see him grinning like a cat who got the cream at the bartender as he takes a sip of his golden toned drink.

"Are you following me?" I ask, straight to the point.

His face relaxes as he laughs to himself, "To the ends of the earth Topolino." I huff in annoyance. "Besides," he says, before sipping on his drink, "you're the one in my warehouse so I guess I could ask if it's you following me?" he raises his brows and cocks his head. Oh shit.

"You wish!" I say, resting my back against the edge of the bar unable to think of anything quick or witty to say.

"Don't I know it." I hear him respond as he leans against the bar next to me. A small smile plays on my lips. I keep running into this man, this gorgeous vessel of a man with his tanned, tattooed skin, dark hair and deep mysterious eyes I want to travel the depths of but something in the very back of my mind has my guard up and I know I should approach carefully.

"So, you're into fighting?" he asks, amusement painted across his face, completely derailing my train of thought.

"Absolutely, I love to watch half naked men get all bloodied and sweaty," I say, "don't you, Tomcat?" I flash a playful grin his way.

"I must admit I do like getting my hands dirty with the rest of them, the bloodier the better," he jokes. His answer is full of truth he doesn't even have to admit to me. The only reason he is in this place is because his whole business involves getting his hands dirty.

I gasp suddenly as I'm knocked sideways as a sway of people moves against the bar and causes me to lose my footing. A strong hand reaches out and catches me around my waist before I faceplant the floor. I glance up into my stalkers eyes, his arm tight around me now as he pulls me into him. My hands are resting on his chest, I can feel his heavy breathing beneath his shirt. His eyes are burning into me, the heat off his body almost as intoxicating as the whiskey. He grins at me, his face so devilishly handsome. "You should be more careful," he says, trailing his hand from around my waist to my hips.

"Maybe you shouldn't let such clumsy people into your warehouse," I answer, the heat from his hands leaving a scorching trail in its wake.

His lips quirk at one side, "I'll have to have a word with my security staff," he responds. I push off him shaking my head. God what is going on with all these men in my life recently I shout at myself internally then remember Max's instructions to stay alert and try to clear my head.

"So why are you here tonight Topolino? It can not be just for the half naked men," he glances around before adding "or women," and giving me a cheeky wink.

"I'm here strictly on business," I reply politely, his eyebrows rising in question.

"And what business might that be while you're under my roof?" he questions stepping closer towards me.

"Uh, I'm, uhm, here as a medic tonight, for some of the fighters," I stutter, his stance intimidating. He visibly stiffens as if my answer annoys him and I'm momentarily curious as to what's going through his mind. "And you, what are you doing here? Do you attend all the fights?" I ask, a cheshire cat-like grin spreading slowly across his lips, baring his teeth as he laughs.

"I'm here to support my brother Topolino, he's fighting tonight and I sure as hell was not going to miss it." His devilish laugh cuts through me. Something inside of me screams to get out while I can but my thoughts are cut short by the announcer calling Max to the ring. A heavy feeling hits the bottom of my stomach and I feel the urge to throw up as I watch him bounce into the ring, knocking his gloves together, pumping up the crowd. His gaze falls to mine then to my stalker standing next to me. I notice his features change almost instantly and see his jaw tighten.

Moments later the announcer bellows through the microphone again. "And challenging Max Costello, is our very own benefactor, The Merciless Salvatore!!"

"Here we go," Tomcat sings excitedly.

I watch as a large hooded figure steps into the ring, my breath is caught in my lungs as I see how muscular his back is. His broad shoulders are so toned, sharp, tanned skin and tattoos cover every inch of his upper body. Something seems familiar as he pulls down his hood and hands his robe over to a man slightly off to the side. All oxygen escapes my body and I feel as though I'm spiraling as his face comes into view. I watch as he scans the entire crowd and throws his hands high above his head. The crowd is screaming and shouting his name, then suddenly his eyes meet mine. His molten stare burns straight down to my core, igniting something deep within and the memory of me pleasuring myself, fantasizing about his touch has a flood of color rushing to my cheeks. He winks at me and grins sadistically before he turns to face Max. I suck air in almost desperate to avoid passing out. What the hell is going on? I look up to Tomcat standing beside me who is studying me closely, his devilish grin never faltering.

"He's your brother? I gasp.

"Uncanny isn't it?" he remarks. I finish the rest of my whiskey in one and rush off towards the ring leaving my stalker behind.

Chapter 17

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