“I can fight.”
“I know you can. And I know that’s what Benny saw in you. A fighter. And that’s exactly the type of person Baz needs. Don’t let your emotions, or his, intimidate you.”
I nod my head sternly, taking his advice to heart. “Okay.”
“Good.” Gianni taps my knee lightly. “I’m going to polish off the rest of the bourbon before Desmond gets any ideas. It’s a nineteen-eighty vintage.”
“Enjoy.” I smile weakly.
“See you in the morning, Mrs. Sabatino.” Gianni winks.
MRS. SABATINO.
I had originally thought that was an alias, but it turns out Sabatino is Baz’s mother’s maiden name.
He was born a Velona but changed his last name to Sabatino in his early twenties.
He didn’t want any ties to Benny, even if that meant giving up the family name. He was serious about not wanting to be a part of the corporation, and Gianni doesn’t force him. Unfortunately, my ties to the family aren’t so loose. I have a debt to pay, and I have a feeling Gianni is going to hold me to it one way or another.
I take my time walking through the house. The private chef who cooked dinner has already vacated the premises, along with all the wait staff. The hallways are quiet as I climb the stairs to the second floor. I don’t know where Baz is, so I’ve decided to slip into some comfier clothes and go look for him.
Gianni said fight for him, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
To my surprise, I don’t have to go far to find him. He’s already in our room, shirtless, staring out the window in the sitting area.
He looks despondent. Like a little boy who just wants to be loved.
He is loved, though. By me, and Gianni and Desmond and the rest of the people in this house. Baz is a light, and he doesn’t even know it.
“Hey.” I pad into the room, stopping at the base of the canopy bed.
“Hey,” he responds but doesn’t look my way.
Playing with my rings, I try to figure out something to say that will get his attention. Gianni said fight, which is something I definitely know how to do, so I go straight for the jugular.
“The only person I belong to is you,” I announce.
Baz whips his head around.
“I’m sorry you had to find out about Benny and me that way. It was wrong. And it was my fault. I should have told you. I just didn’t want to hurt you. I wanted to tell you the right way. At the right time.” I take a cautious step forward. I want to touch him. I want to wrap my arms around his bare stomach and press kisses all over his chest.
Baz’s eyes are guarded, but a small fire is kindling behind them.
“Don’t come any closer.” Baz forces me to cease and desist.
I stand in place, several arm lengths away from him.
“I hate him, Stevie.”
“I know you do.”
“He touched you. Took advantage of a sixteen-year-old girl.”
“I let him.” That statement enrages Baz. “I didn’t have any other options. I had no family. No money. No future. Benny gave me everything I needed.”
“And what do you need now?” He’s fishing, and I know it. But to relieve his bruised heart and his bruised ego, I tell him what he wants to hear, and I mean every word of it.
“Now, I need you. I only want you.”
