My eyes widened as Remo glared at me. “Make a sound and it will be the last one you’ll ever make. You got that?” I nodded and he pealed his hand off my mouth. “What the fuck were you playing at today? I said make an excuse, not fucking throw me under the bus with my brother. Not that he’d believe you,” he snorted, his blueish-gray eyes burning into me.
“I’m sorry. I’ll tell Lorenzo the truth.”
“No. Paybacks a bitch and I’ll come to collect,” he snarled, forcing me backward with each word until my back hit the wall with a soft thud. I didn’t even want to imagine what that threat entailed. For now, I focused on his current intention. His hand dropped to my hip, squeezing but I refused to make a sound. Not giving into his need to see my fear. His face inched closer, his lips almost touching mine. “If I’d fucked you today,tesoro, you wouldn’t be walking right now and I can guarantee your pussy would be weeping for more.”
Something in his demoralizing stare told me I should believe him. He looked like a man who’d fuck a woman until she passed out, resuscitate her and fuck until she passed out again, just because he could. His gaze dropped to the swell of my breasts peeking above the top of the black tank I wore before lifting to my face again. For one stupid moment I thought he was going to kiss me then he pulled back with a low chuckle as though privy to my thoughts.
“My brother is not stupid, Zena. Trust me. I know him best. He’ll figure it out, if he hasn’t already.”
Even if I had a magic pussy to sway Lorenzo, I believed Remo’s words. Unease floated through me like a flickering flame. I tightened my shoulders to force back a shudder, not looking forward to that confrontation. “What if he asks me again?” I mumbled.
He regarded me like someone ready to squash a fucking bug that just crawled out of nowhere. The silence so profound, I could hear my heart beating against my chest. Remo Rossi was a dangerous man to boot. I’d seen it in the quick flick of his gaze as he scanned his surroundings, I’d smelt it in that rich musky cologne he’d wear to cover the stench of blood after a visit to the basement back at the club and I’d heard it in that deep, controlled breathing when he’d shot those men at the store.
Eyes narrowed, he ran his index finger along his bottom lip. “You’ve proved you’re a good liar. I’m sure you’ll figure it out, or...” he trailed off, an amused grin curved the corners of his mouth. “I’m sure you’ll find a way to convince him into believing you. That’s why you’re still here, aren’t you, to keep my brother’s balls empty. Well, until we get rid of the boy, that is.”
Every cell in me fought the insult at the mention of Rayden’s safety and I shoved at Remo’s chest. “Leave him alone, asshole.”
His hand flew up to my neck with a lightening quick movement, I didn’t anticipate, cutting off my oxygen with a squeeze. “Careful, kitten. I’m not my brother.” His low words slithered down my spine like the serrated edge of a knife. “Scratch me and I’ll sell your body in parts,” his grip tightened, “while you watch.”
Desperate for air, I clawed at his fingers. White spots painted my vision and my lids slid shut. Another second later and I opened them to his tall frame striding through my room door. The sound of his heavy footsteps vibrated over the hard wood floor as he walked out. He didn’t lock me in again. Now I understood who’d opened my door and what had awakened me.
Drinking in lungsful of air, I slowly slid to the floor, forcing myself not to cry. I was tired. Leaning my head back against the wall, I stared up the white ceiling, wishing for it to open and allow me to fly away. I wanted to go home, far from these Rossi brothers who seemed to be draining my willpower with each passing minute. Yet, some inner niggle pushed me, empowering me not to back down. I thought of Rayden and wondered what he was going through.
Chapter 16
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RAYDEN (18YRS)
To wired to sleep, I slid off the bed and walked to the windows. A slight breeze blew through the curtains, the warm summer air brushing over my skin, almost calming in its effect. I took a deep breath, letting the freshness fill my lungs. Shoving a hand through my hair, I moved to the end so I could sit on the ledge with my back resting against the wall. I stared out, trying to lose myself in the darkness but unable to see beyond my transparent reflection.
After what had happened in Lorenzo’s study and then the whole situation with Remo, I was suddenly desperate to go home. A feeling of abandonment had settled over me and I missed my family. We’d been here a week now and still nowhere close to finding out what Lorenzo intended to do with us.
Sleep gave me the run around most nights but tonight was worse than the others—when I finally settled down, my jaw ached with the need to cry. But, I never gave into the urge. Doing so would mean the Rossi brothers had gotten the better of my emotions. The sanctity of a private room allowed me to be myself, to make promises of freedom to myself with no idea if it were achievable. Still, it was the one place I refused to let them take over my mind or my feelings for that matter.
Needing a drink, I left the room. About to head for the kitchen, I spied Zena’s open door and inched closer. She was sitting on the floor, staring up at the ceiling, lost in thought and oblivious to my presence.
