“Is everything okay?” I ask.
“Yeah, yeah, just fine,” Niccolò answers, gaze sweeping the place.
If all’s good, then why did Maximo order them to be inside the penthouse? Especially with his sister here...
Crap. Shit. Maximo specifically said he doesn’t trust any of his men with his sister. Though that could have changed. He trusts Dario and Niccolò with me, so is it really any different for Julianna?
My pulse whooshes in my ears. Something feels very off. Or maybe I’m being paranoid. There’s one way to find out. I glance at my phone, where it sits across the room.
“Are you alone?” Niccolò asks, as we enter the living room, hand resting casually on his holster.
“Yes,” I lie, because that feels like the right thing to do. Slowly, casually, I move closer to the couch. “You can take a seat in here. If you want anything, help yourselves to whatever’s in the kitchen. I’m going to get some work done. I’m sure Maximo will be home soon.”
Fingers curling around my cell I slide it into my pocket, then offer them a polite smile. Hopefully, they’ll lounge down here and I can get upstairs to Julianna. She needs to stay quiet and out of sight. The fact that Niccolò and Dario don’t know she’s here, tells me Maximo did not send them to guard us. He would have specifically mentioned his sister.
I mentally kick myself for letting them in. That was a huge mistake, but it’s the only one I plan on making today. I need to get myself and Julianna locked into a room and call Maximo.
Heading toward the stairs, I begin to climb when I notice Dario following me. I turn to face him. “What are you doing?”
“Boss said to keep our eyes on you at all times.”
Shit. “I’m just going to the bathroom. Surely I can do that in private?” I arch a haughty brow at him.
He glances at Niccolò, seeking permission. His brother nods, letting me go, and Dario lingers on the stairs but doesn’t follow me.
A sigh of relief slips past my lips. I smooth down my dress with one clammy palm. Today I went for a lightweight sundress and no shoes since I wasn’t planning on going anywhere. Now I feel much too vulnerable.
I’m almost to the top when a thump sounds in the upstairs guest room.
Shit, shit, shit.
“What was that?” Dario asks, jogging up the stairs, hand on his gun.
“What? I didn’t hear anything. The bathroom’s right there.” I point to the open door. “I’ll be right out.”
As I start toward the bathroom, the guest room door opens. Everything seems to go into slow motion as I’m helpless to stop it. No matter how loud I mentally scream at her, she doesn’t hear me. Of course she doesn’t.
Julianna steps into the hallway, completely unaware of the situation. Of how much danger she’s in. “Are you talking to someone?”
My plan just went up in flames.
Pivoting, I sprint toward her, just as Dario turns at the sound of her voice. He hollers for Niccolò.
Julianna’s eyes grow wide as she sees me coming at her, and the huge Italian soldier hot on my heels. Confusion swims in her sea foam blue gaze.
I’m almost to her when an arm curls around my waist, lifting me off my feet, and into the air. I'm much too short to stomp on my attacker’s feet the way Maximo taught me.
“Lock the door! Hide!” I scream at her, flailing against Dario. The man’s built like a tank.
With a visible gasp, she steps back into her room and shuts the door. Niccolò races around us, body slamming the solid slab of wood. It violently rattles in its frame. Taking two steps back, he surges forward, kicking the door.
Julianna screams.
I wrestle against Dario’s hold on me, but his arms are like iron bands.
Niccolò kicks the door. Twice. Three times. On the fourth try, the door bursts open with so much force that it bangs against thewall. He disappears inside. A moment later, he comes barreling out dragging Julianna by her long black hair.
“Who the fuck is she?” he snarls at me.
