I’m off the couch and closing the space between us in a heartbeat. I snatch up the end of her fluttering ponytail and my tight grip causes her to gasp but also halts her steps. Wasting no time, I wrap the length of her hair around my wrist, reeling her to me until I snake an arm around the small of her back and anchor her to my chest. With a sharp tug, I force her head back and lean in close.
“You’re in some serious shit,” I say, lowering my voice. “I don’t know what you’ve done or why, but your mere presence in my home makes this my fucking problem. You’ve brought this to my doorstep so you’re sure as fuck going to tell me what’s going on. Whether or not I help you, remains to be seen. And as far as trusting me?” I click my tongue in admonishment. “That’s something you’re going to have to take a chance on. Are we clear?”
Her eyes, blazing with fear, search mine and then she gives me a quick nod.
“Good.” I unravel her hair from my wrist, but I don’t release my hold. “Don’t try anything stupid. All I want is for us to have a conversation about this. Now, come sit down.”
With my hand pressed against her spine, I guide her to the couch. Carina settles herself as though I didn’t just forcefully grab her, and adjusts the hem of her dress about her knees, smoothing out the material. She sets her purse next to her and removes the coat, revealing the curves of her breasts and the generous swell of her hips.
“I’ll start at the beginning,” she says.
“I believe that would be best.”
Carina ignores my dry remark. “A man by the name of Federico Columbo works for Caruso. From my understanding, his boss sells women, and with that operation comes drugs. My father’s, to be specific. It’s my understanding that the trafficked women are mules, carriers for the cocaine. Federico knew where these women were being held, before they were sold.”
I don’t miss the way Carina winces both times saying the man’s name. There’s something going on there, but I can’t begin to guess. My first thought is she’s romantically involved with him, and that puts a damper on my mood.
He’s probably the owner of that coat she was wearing. Motherfucker.
“How is this man linked to you?” I ask, my need to know their relationship compounding with each second.
She swallows deeply and it brings my gaze to the gracious slope of her neck. Carina distracts me with her attractiveness. Women have always been my Achilles heel, bringing out the glutton in me when it comes to sexual gratification. She is by far the most tempting meal I’ve wanted to devour in a long time.
“Federico is the person I stole the knowledge from,” she says. “And then I sold it online.”
I whistle long and loud. “Wow. Your balls are bigger than mine.”
She scrunches her face in distaste. If only Carina heard the thoughts in my head…
“I was desperate,” she says, wringing her hands. “I didn’t know what else to do. I knew he was part of the underworld the minute I saw his Wolf Pack tattoo, so when Federico asked for my phone number, I used it as an opportunity. I cloned his phone and that gave me all the information I needed. Then after that, it was simple.”
I slowly shake my head, partially in amazement and the other half in disbelief. “Nardone sure as shit raised you right,principessa. You’re a mafia princess through and through.”
“I’m not a fucking princess!”
At her outburst, we stare at one another and I take note of the wild look in her eyes. It quickly disappears, but not fast enough for me to miss it.
“I mean I…My apologies.” She applies pressure to her temples and briefly closes her eyes. “My father kicked me out, okay? I’ve survived by the skin of my teeth and I don’t want your judgment, only your help.”
Carina taps her index finger against her purse, just like she did before. I’m starting to think it’s more than just a sign of nervousness. It’s a tell of hers.
I lean back and toss my arm over the edge of the couch. “You still haven’t told me who’s coming for you. That’s pretty important, wouldn’t you say?”
This time when Carina closes her eyes, she keeps them that way. Lines of pain etch her face, making creases in her flawless skin. “A man, a stranger to me, was sent by Caruso to kill Federico, and now he’s dead. I believe I’m next.”
“That’s a good fucking assumption,” I say dryly.
Her eyes fly open and land on me, enabling me to see the fury within her ember-colored gaze. I like this part of her and if there’s a fire inside her, then I want to pour gasoline on that shit. Carina is incredible when she’s angry.
And I’d prefer that over seeing her fear.
Watching Carina buried under layers of anxiety and distress bothers me more than I care to admit. That’s why I’ll continue to provoke her, stoking those internal flames she tries to snuff out. Her father, and many of the men in the underworld, don’t value a spirited woman, but they are blind and so so stupid. They see women as a threat, a thing to be subservient to them.
I see women as the gift they are.
Someone who will fight back and make you work for their submission.
And I will fucking have it.
