My mind keeps drifting back to the basement.
The way Nico looked, shirtless, covered in sweat and someone else’s blood, muscles flexing with every brutal punch. The cold, controlled violence in his eyes. The absolute power he radiated while beating a man half to death and then cutting off his fingers without hesitation.
I should be terrified of him. I should be sick with fear. But instead, heat pools low in my belly every time I remember the way he stalked toward me afterward, eyes dark and dangerous. My thighs clench at the memory. My nipples tighten against the soft sweater.
What the hell is wrong with me? I have no sense of self-preservation. None.
The man who kidnapped me, threatened my sisters, and just mutilated someone in front of me… makes me wet. Makes me wonder what his mouth would feel like on mine. Makes me crave the violence and control I watched him unleash.
Jesus Eleonora, get a grip.
I drop the cloth into the sink and grip the edges of the counter, breathing hard as I stare at my own flushed reflection. I’m losing my mind in this house.
I hear the soft click of the bedroom door unlocking and look up just as Maria walks in, the same young maid from yesterday.
She offers me a small, careful smile. “Good evening, Miss Eleonora. Mr. Lombardi is expecting you downstairs for dinner.”
I let out a long, exhausted sigh. It’s been such a long, brutal day. The last thing I want right now is to sit across from Nico and pretend I’m not replaying every violent, heated moment in my head.
I shake my head. “Could you please tell him I’m not feeling well? I’d rather remain in here.”
Maria blinks, clearly surprised. Yesterday I’d practically thrown her out. Today I’m being… polite. Hell, even I’m surprised at myself. I guess I’m too drained to keep fighting.
She nods slowly. “Of course. I’ll let him know.”
She leaves, and I hear the lock engage again right after.
I huff and climb onto the bed, crossing my legs underneath me. My stomach is painfully empty. I haven’t eaten since breakfast, and I missed lunch completely because I was locked in his office. I’m starving, but I can't bring myself to face Nico, not when I'm feeling this vulnerable.
Hopefully he doesn’t storm up here and throw me over his shoulder again like last night.
The door clicks open. Well, I guess I'm about to find out.
“If you're here to force me to have dinner with you… I like having my meals by myself.”
My stupid heart immediately sinks with disappointment when I look up and see it’s not Nico who just walked in. It’s Lea, carrying a large tray loaded with food.
She closes the door behind her with her hip and gives me a warm but stern look.
“I hear you’re skipping dinner, young lady.”
I sit up straighter. “I’m not really hungry.”
“Nonsense,” she says, placing the tray on my bedside table. “You missed lunch too. You’re not missing dinner on my watch.”
The delicious smell of roasted chicken, garlic potatoes, and fresh bread fills the room. She straightens and gives me that motherly stare I’ve only ever seen from her.
“Eat. And make sure you clean that plate. Whatever you’re going through right now, starving yourself won’t fix it.”
A strange tightness forms in my throat. I nod, suddenly feeling dangerously close to tears.
“Thank you, Lea.”
She gives me a soft smile and a gentle pat on my shoulder before heading toward the door.
“Get some rest after you eat, dear.”
She turns and leaves without waiting for a reply. The door clicks shut behind her, and the lock engages once again.
