I’m in the small sitting room off the bedroom, trying to focus on anything that isn't the memory of my own moans echoing in Rafael’s study. A routine floral delivery arrived an hour ago—a massive, lavish arrangement of white lilies and roses.
"A congratulations on the wedding, Mrs. Caruso," Carla had said as she placed them on the side table.
I stare at the flowers. They’re beautiful. They’re also wrong. I recognize the way the stems are tied—the specific, intricate knot used by the florist my father has used for thirty years.
I wait until Carla is gone. I wait until the hallway is silent. Then, I approach the arrangement.
My fingers find the ribbon. Tucked beneath the silk is a small, metallic charm. It’s a silver wolf—the De Luca symbol.
Oh god.
My heart starts to hammer a frantic rhythm. I’m hyperventilating, the air feeling thin and sharp in my lungs. This isn't a gift. This is a threat.
I pull the charm free. It’s heavy. I notice a small seam along the wolf’s belly. I use my nail to pry it open, my hands shaking so badly I almost drop it.
Inside is a tiny, folded slip of paper.
I unfold it with cold fingers. It’s a message, my father is losing his patience.
“If you refuse to answer the phone, I will be forced to motivate you. Laura misses you.”
I collapse into the armchair, the paper fluttering to the floor. Motivate me. He means he’ll hurt her. He’ll take the one thing in the world I love and use her to break me.
"I have to get back in there," I whisper, my voice cracking. "I have to find something. Now."
I stand up, my vision swimming. I head for the study, my mind a blur of panic and desperation. I reach the door and pull.
It’s locked.
The digital keypad is dark. I try to punch in the code I think it might be—Rafael’s birth year, the date of his first wife’s birth year—nothing.
"Damn it! Open, you piece of junk!" I hiss, pulling at the handle.
I’m looking for a tool, anything to pick the lock, when I hear footsteps.
Heavy. Deliberate.
Rafael.
I freeze. I have approximately three seconds to look like a normal human being and not a spy caught at a locked door. I spin around just as he rounds the corner.
"Gia? What are you doing out here?" He stops, his eyes narrowing as he takes in my flushed face and my trembling hands.
"I... I was looking for you," I blurt out.
"You were looking for me at my locked study door?" He steps into my space, his presence a physical weight.
"I thought you were inside. I wanted to... I wanted to talk about last night." I give him a shy, sassy half-smile, hoping the dim light hides the terror in my eyes. "I realized I never thanked you for the wish. It was... memorable."
Rafael’s expression softens, just a fraction. The predator retreats, replaced by the man who watched me cum on his desk. He reaches out, his thumb grazing my cheek. "You don't need to thank me for that, little Gia. I enjoyed the view."
"I bet you did," I say, my heart still trying to leap out of my chest. "Are you going back to work?"
“Not really. Why?"
"Oh nothing." I reach out, my fingers curling into his shirt. "I’m bored. And I think I need someone to talk to."
He looks at me for a long moment, searching my face. I hold his gaze, my stubbornness acting as a shield for the panic underneath.
