I run my fingers through her dark hair. So soft. Softer than anything I’ve ever felt. She’s like a cat. A lioness, one who tried to use her claws on me at the funeral. She may have left her family ties behind, but she’s still a Simonetti. Their greatness runs in her veins. Their lust for vengeance punctuated with each blow she landed on me.
“Where have you been, little lioness?” I ask her, though nothing can be heard over the helicopter engine.
“Can we drop her?” Santino asks, his eyes narrowed on the beauty asleep in my lap.
My temper flares—a rarity for me—but I keep it in check. “Do not threaten what is mine.”
He drops his gaze. “Apologies.”
“This girl is mine now.” I speak into the mic that connects to all my men as well as the helicopter pilot. “Her life is in my hands. None of you may touch her. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” they all answer quickly.
I’m a man of discipline, one who has no problem enforcing rules through coercion or violence. But I’ve broken my own code by taking Carter’s sister. I should’ve let her fall, left her on the stone floor of the church. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. I’d caught her in my arms, clutching her close as I strode out into the bright morning.
I’ve never felt drawn to another soul. Never in my life have I granted mercy for no reason. I always have a plan, a design, something to gain. But not with her. Not with this woman who slumbers like an angel but fights like a demon.
My lips curl into a smile, one that I can’t seem to dispel. Has she bewitched me? Is she a ghost sent by Carter to torment me for his death? There is no need. I already carry a heavy load of regret on my shoulders for his passing.
I look down at her again, at the soft curve of her cheek, the way her lips are partly open as she breathes deeply.
No, she’s not a ghost. She’s a real flesh and blood woman, a lioness I want to hear roar.
“She’s awake.” Flavia shakes her gray head at me as she walks into my office. She’s the only one who can get away with coming in without knocking. “And she’s yelling the house down over there. Why would you take in a wild animal?” She tsks, her hands sliding into the pockets of her black maid’s dress. “She’s feral.”
“Come now, Flavia.” I stride past her. “You knew you couldn’t be the only woman of the house forever.”
“I knew no such thing.” She doesn’t follow, and after I’ve made it down the stairs and into the residence wing of my home, I hear her vacuum come to life.
For the past two hours I’ve sat at my desk and tried to work. For the past two hours, all I’ve done is attempt to architect this meeting between Appolonia and me. She will be disoriented, surprised, maybe even angry again. I don’t know, but what I do know is that I will take the reins and inform her that … And that’s the part where I can’t seem to find my way forward. What is my plan? I don’t have one. I always have a plan. But not with her.
The only thing I know for certain is that she is not leaving these grounds until I discover the truth about her brother’s death. She may well be in danger just as he was. I owe it to Carter to protect his sister. That’s exactly what I’ll do. And not because the girl has bewitched me. Not at all.
I take a deep breath as I catch a screeching yell of “If you don’t let me out of here, I will tear this place down with my bare hands!”
Why do my lips kick up into a smile? I don’t know. I have to stow it, because this lioness clearly needs a strong hand. I flex my fingers knowing that with me, that’s exactly what she’ll get. Strength, discipline, and above all, a firm grasp of the situation.
I knock briefly, then open her door. When I walk in, I don’t see her--not in her bed with the fluffy pink blanket or at the window that looks out on the finest vineyard in Tuscany.
“Appol—” I duck as a vase flies across the room and shatters into pieces next to my head.
“Let me out of here or so help me!” Her hand appears from behind the bed, and she lobs one of her black heels at me.
I smack it from the air and stride around the bed.
“You think you can kidnap me? I’ll burn this place down!” She’s on all fours, a ferocious look on her face as I reach for her. She bites my arm, her teeth only separated from flesh by the thin dress shirt I’m wearing.
With a yank, I wrench her off the floor. She kicks and scratches, then loosens her bite to scream.
“Appolonia!” I try to say it sternly, but she only fights more. “Calm down.”
“Fuck you!” She wriggles and writhes, all fight and anger.
Every male instinct inside me wakes as if from a long sleep, and before I’ve thought it through, I pin her to the bed and settle on top of her warm, soft body.
“Get off me!” She tries to buck me, but all that does is allow me to settle between her legs. She’s still wearing her black dress from the day before, the skirt ample enough to allow me to feel the heat at the apex of her thighs.
Fuck.
She goes for my eyes with her tiny, sharp nails. I grip her wrists and slam them onto the mattress.
“I said calm down.” I try to keep my tone even despite the blood racing through me, the thickening surge in my cock, and the filthy thoughts that try to hold sway over my analytical mind.
“Get. Off.” She snaps her teeth.
“I can’t, because you’ll attack me again.” I squeeze her wrists. “I only came in here to speak with you. Not this.” I lift my hips away from her for emphasis, planking above her. “If you promise to let me speak with you, I’ll get off and stand at the door. Deal?” I look down into her eyes, the warm brown hue like the sun on a newly plowed vineyard. Her plump lips are a temptation, and the rest of her could bring me to my knees. But I must stay strong. For Carter and for her.
She narrows her eyes, and I feel her move before she can complete her attack.
I slam on top of her again, blocking her from kneeing me, and settling back into the sweet spot between her thighs.
Her frustrated cry sets a fire in my blood, and when I lean closer to her mouth, I see her gaze go to my lips.
“Since you’ve decided to be a bad girl, I’ll have to talk to you like this.” I force my hips to remain still even though the urge to thrust against her heat tries to overwhelm me.
“If you don’t let me go, I’ll—”
“Lioness, if you don’t stop talking and listen, I’ll gag you.” I cut through her words. “And I’ll tie you to this bed. Is that what you want?”
Her bravado falters. “You wouldn’t dare,” she hisses.
“I wouldn’t?” I smile. “You know who I am, lioness. Cato Davinci, the head of the largest crime family in Italy. I have connections all over the world. Davincis rule in the United States and several South American countries. I am power. I am the law here. And I am the only thing keeping you alive right now. So if you’d like to continue fighting me, do go on.” I lick my lips and glance down at her chest where the dress gapes slightly, giving me a view of the tops of her pale breasts. “But if you want to speak to me respectfully, we can have a discussion. What do you choose?”