What she doesn’t know is that I paid off the tuition fees along with a hefty commission payable to the school for arranging the job. The Principal almost purred with satisfaction as she gave me the receipt I need to lodge with the solicitors controlling Miss. Grey’s inheritance. Now she belongs to me for exactly one year and then she can leave and claim her millions. But she never will all the time my son wants her.
I now own Miss. Grey and I’m a possessive bastard with my things and she will be no exception. She is now my prisoner and there is only one way out of jail, in a wooden box because my family doesn’t play by the rules and she’s about to discover that—the hard way.
As I think about the woman who crouched at my feet, connecting with my son, I push aside any interest that flared when she looked up at me with those smoky gray eyes. The perfect contrast to her pale pink hair and creamy white flesh. Like a porcelain doll, she looked as if she could break at any moment but was harder than you think and could stand the test of time and survive in a cruel and dangerous world. There was a strength behind those eyes that stared at me with curiosity but no fear. I can sense she will be a tough one to crack, even though she looks as soft as snow on the outside. Yes, Miss. Grey is an intriguing package that I will enjoy breaking and rebuilding. She is perfect because the woman I need to raise my son needs to be strong, a warrior and a woman who takes no shit. I recognized the fire in her when she strutted onto that stage, causing the room to ripple in disbelief. She was brave, a warrior, a Romano.
Leaning back, I wonder why I think of her as anything other than the hired help. She always will be just that, but there is something familiar about the woman we abducted. She’s lost, broken and shattered. A million fragments make up the woman in that car because she has been forced to survive. It was all written in her expression, her posture, and her eyes. A broken butterfly that somehow found the strength to fly. It’s just a shame she was captured at the door and removed to live behind glass because now she will never be free until I say so, and I don’t say a lot, so it’s doubtful I’ll ever give that order.
Pushing her out of my mind, I turn my attention to business instead. We have two hours to kill and as Luca drifts off to sleep beside me; I pull out my phone and start answering emails and texts, wishing that my life was somehow different.
We pull through the gates of my family home and I breathe a sigh of relief. We’re home. I always have a fear that when we leave these protective walls somehow our enemies will get to us. My own safety doesn’t concern me, I gave up caring years ago, but my son. I now live in fear that somehow my enemies will use him to get to me. I will never let that happen, which is why we take the precautions we do. Heavily armed guards and armored vehicles transport us around, shielding us from normal life.
We run our operation with no emotion and deadly intent. Along with my brothers we control, manipulate and intimidate. There is no emotion in our lives when it comes to business and Miss. Grey is business and will be no exception.
By the time the car stops and the door opens, my mind is on the job. Securing my son’s future. So, as I carry him still sleeping from the car, I feel my resolve hardening.
My grandmother meets us on the steps, her arms outstretched, desperate to hold her grandson and I hand him to her and say sharply, “She’s here, is the room ready?”
My grandmother nods, and the hard glint in her eye tells me she’s unhappy about this. She won’t give Miss. Grey an easy ride because this woman will watch over her, protecting her grandson as fiercely as she did me and my brothers when our mother died.
The door opens of the third car and her eyes sweep past me to look at the newcomer and she says tightly, “Are you serious?”
“Deadly. Luca chose her, she stays.”
He snuggles into my grandmother’s arms and she kisses the top of his head. “How was he?”
I hesitate, wanting to explain how he laughed for the first time since we found him. I want to share the joy I felt in that second when my son let the light in, but old habits die hard and I say bluntly, “Fine. I’ll come and find you when I’m done.”
She nods and turns away, leaving me to instruct the new nanny on how things are going to be.
Marcus, as always, appears by my side as he has done for the past seven years. He’s my right hand, my unofficial brother and the only person outside my family I fully trust.
“What’s the plan?”
“Bring her to my den.”
I don’t look back and stride inside, ignoring the staff who always try to blend into the shadows when I pass. They know better than to try and engage me in conversation because they are invisible to me. I have no emotion and no feeling for anything except my son, and I can’t see that ever changing.
As soon as I step foot inside my den, I breathe easier. I’m home, surrounded by the familiar, and I can relax.
Tossing my jacket to the side, I fix myself a whiskey and wait for my newest employee to show. I wonder how she’ll handle this situation. It will be interesting to find out.
Chapter 6
Isabella
Where am I? This place is like something out of the Sopranos. Amazing, magnificent, breath-taking and beautiful but surrounded by menace. A fortress, a prison and paradise all wrapped up in decadence. Wow, just wow.
I can see the ocean sparkling like a precious jewel in the distance, and the beautiful gardens surrounding us take my breath away. Whoever these people are they have taste and it all feels a little surreal.
As soon as the car stopped, I was made to wait inside until the man and his son exited the car in front and approached an older woman who was waiting on the step, eager to take the boy from his arms. She’s no hired help, it’s obvious. She has the same manner he had, the same stature and demeanor. Cold, unfeeling and cast in iron. Once again, I shiver as I think about what’s happening. For some reason I’m more curious than afraid which shows what a fool I am because I should be scared, any sane person would be, but somehow, I’m just intrigued.
The car door opens and I blink as I step outside into the sunlight wearing my indecent uniform, feeling out of place in my rebel attire. The hair can stay, but this uniform seriously has to go. I wanted to head off and buy some new clothes because the ones packed in my case belong to a different Isabella, not the rebel without a cause. I wanted to reinvent myself and now I’m caught up in a situation I have no control of. Just my fucking luck. I thought I was done with bullies but it appears I’ve now met the master because just watching that man, Luca’s father, tells me he’s the biggest bully of all.
The guy I first met says something to him and then beckons me forward as the man moves off at speed.
Trying hard to contain my anger, I stare at him with a cold hard look which apparently doesn’t concern him because he says politely, “Please follow me.”
Sighing, I do as I’m told because I know he’s just the monkey and it’s the organ grinder who calls the shots, so I do as he says, hell bent on telling them where to stick this job and arrange a cab for me at once.
If I thought the outside of this house was impressive, it’s nothing compared to the inside. My jaw drops as I walk past paintings that hold the signatures of famous Artists, gasping at the sight of the genuine masterpieces in their own private display.
The antiques shine all around me telling me they have found a future in a house of treasure and my jaw drops as I take it all in. Wow, this place is stunning.
We stop outside a heavy wooden door and the man knocks loudly before we hear a low, “Enter.”
I’m strangely nervous as I hover in the doorway and then stumble inside as the man pushes me gently over the threshold.
Feeling annoyed, I make to speak but the door slams behind me leaving me in a nest with a very dangerous viper who turns and stares, making me feel as if somehow I’m standing naked with every emotion I own on display.
“Take a seat, Miss. Grey.”
I swallow hard as he gestures to a leather s
tuffed seat in front of his desk, and I try not to look at a man who unnerves me in every way.
He’s sitting behind a walnut desk nursing a crystal glass of liquid that I could sure do with right now.
“Aren’t you gonna offer me one?” I nod toward the glass and he says abruptly, “No.”
“How rude.”
He says nothing and I gather any bravery I have and sit down heavily in the seat opposite him and lean both elbows on his desk and regard him coolly, showing him I’m not afraid of him even though I’m lying to myself about that because this man scares the hell out of me.
“Let me go.” I fix him with a determined look in the vain hope he has a heart, but he just says with no feeling at all, “No.”
He leans back and sips his drink, looking at me thoughtfully, and I snap. “I don’t want your job.”
“What do you want, Miss. Grey?”
“He looks at me through those dead eyes and I say crossly, “I want to get the hell out of here, go and find my friend and start living my life the way I want to, not the way others want me to.”
“And what exactly do you want to do?”
His voice is smooth, lulling me into a false sense of security, and I relax a little. “I want to find the one friend I have in the world and form a rock band. I want to be free from bullies and snakes and live a carefree life. I want my freedom because I haven’t had that for some time and I want to live, Mr I didn’t quite catch your name.”
“Romano, Dante Romano.”
“What sort of name is that?”
“Don’t be rude.”
“Fuck you.”
I say it all with an arrogant smirk because apparently, I have a death wish as I prod a beast I should have let lie.
It’s almost become a game as I test a man I’ve known for the briefest moment, and I look at him with curiosity as he leans back and shrugs.
“You don’t have to fuck me, Miss. Grey, that’s not in your job description.”
“I don’t want your job.”
“What you want doesn’t count.”
“It does to me.”
He leans forward and his eyes glitter dangerously as I stare mesmerized at seeing some life spark in them. I hitch my breath as I see the passion that he keeps well-hidden and feel something creeping through my body like an unwanted virus. Interest.
However, this man is not one for playing games and snarls, “You don’t have a choice, so let me lay down the rules.”
“You’re laying nothing down, I’m not staying.” I glare at him and he sighs and leans back, making me almost think I’ve won until he says in a dead voice. “Miss. Grey, what you don’t understand is that I will do anything for my son. I will protect him any way I can and make his life better in every way I can. He chose you and that means you will never be free until he has no further use for you. If you don’t make his life happy in every way possible, I will kill you and think nothing of it. You have no say in the matter because I can do whatever the hell I want because here—in this house, in this city and in this State, I am God. You will be well advised to cut the smart remarks, sharpen up, do what I’m paying you to do and make my son happier than he’s ever been because if I detect one shadow in his eyes, I will kill you and it won’t be quick. I will inflict a slow painful death on you that will keep you dying for days. You will beg me to end your life, but guess what—I won’t listen. You see, Miss. Grey, I am your worst nightmare and so shut the fuck up and accept this is how it is until I say otherwise.”
Despite the fact his words have my soul cowering in fear and weeping tears of rage and hate, I stare at him with a hard look and say bluntly, “You’re not really selling this. You know, maybe I’m not the woman for the job. I mean, firstly, I’m unqualified and in case it escaped your attention, I’m fresh out of school. I’m lazy, belligerent and rubbish at getting up in the morning. I swear a lot and smoke, in fact, I smoke a lot and not just cigarettes. I’m a bad decision, a terrible role model and likely to drive you mad, so do yourself and your son a favor and find somebody else.”
For the first time I see a flash of amusement cross his face and he nods before saying in a dead voice, “Noted, Miss. Grey, but none of that matters because I couldn’t give a shit about your qualifications, your time keeping, or your habits. Because all of that has been left at the door and you will soon discover that I’m a hard man to please. You see, your job will be how I describe. You will do as I say and you will do it well. There is no room for error and if you fuck up, I will punish you because I’m a controlling bastard and you are no exception. Don’t test me because you won’t like me when I’m angry. Now listen while I’m in a good mood. Do as you’re told, make my son happy and you will live. Maybe one day you can have that life you spoke about, but until then I own you. Your debt to the school has been paid, so you now owe me. You have one year until you claim your inheritance, but that’s only if I let you live that long. You see, Miss. Grey, I won’t hesitate to end your life if you don’t cooperate because you mean nothing to me and my son means everything. Now interview over and Marcus will arrange for one of the maids to show you to your room. We eat at seven, don’t be late. I’ll send someone to show you the way.”
The door opens behind me as if by magic and his henchman appears, grasping my shoulder tightly and pulling me from the chair like a rag doll.
Mr Romano just watches with his dead stare and I say nothing. In fact, I don’t even look at him as I follow the man from the room and toward what is increasingly becoming certain, my own personal hell.
Chapter 7
Isabella
I’m shown to an absolutely beautiful room overlooking the ocean and it takes my breath away. The maid that brought me here said little and I didn’t miss the curious looks she threw my way, or the pity. I’m used to that, but this time it was different. It wasn’t pity in a horrible way; it was genuine. Then again, I pity myself because this has been a very bad day. I woke up in Hell and it appears I’m going to fall asleep in a different kind of one.
When I woke this morning, I saw freedom beckoning and a brave new world. As it turns out, that was just fate playing a cruel trick on me because I was never going to have that option. Instead, I’m now in some kind of movie being played out with me in the starring role. How the hell do I get out of this one?
I sit on the soft bed with silken sheets and more cushions than I have ever seen in one place in my life and draw my knees to my chest. What now?
Is this really my place of work? A new job that required no application or interview. Just a nod from a small boy who doesn’t know what he just did. Then again, what about Dante Romano?
Just thinking about that man makes me shiver. He’s so cold, so aloof and so damaged.
Looking around, I spy my cases in the corner which makes me think about my classmates unpacking theirs and my lips twitch as I picture their faces when they see the damage I inflicted on their treasured possessions. Revenge is sweet and I would give anything to be a fly on the wall when they discover it.
But the jokes on me, because at least they’re safe and no doubt celebrating with their parents. I expect they have some fancy vacation booked to reward them for their hard work in graduating. Not me. That was never going to happen because there is nobody cheering from the side-lines for me.
It’s a depressing thought, but one I’ve lived with for some time now.
Sighing, I drag myself over to my case and flick the latch and stare at the practical clothes that I’ve grown used to wearing. Sensible skirts, shirts and cardigans and boring dresses. I really thought I’d have checked into a hotel by now and be eating takeout pizza and watching Netflix while surfing the internet for a new wardrobe. I have money, a trust fund I can call on up to a point. The real money will kick in when I satisfy the terms of that infernal will, so sighing heavily, I grab my wash bag and set about unpacking and getting ready to see where this latest twist of fate takes me.
Just before 5, a knock on the door
interrupts my thoughts and another maid ventures in and smiles sweetly. “I’ve come to show you where to go Miss...”
“Thanks.” I return her smile because I’m curious to see how this place works and as we walk, make to strike up conversation.
“So, I’m Isabella, what’s your name?”
“Aliana, Miss.”
“Great name, I wish it was mine.”
She blushes and I can tell she likes my compliment and I whisper, “What are they like, the people who live here?”
Her eyes narrow and she looks around her nervously. “I’m sorry, Miss, I can’t discuss my employers.”
Great, not even any gossip in this place, but why does she look so scared? I try again. “Well, Luca then, he seems sweet, where’s his mother, I haven’t met her yet?”
“Please, Miss, I can’t tell you anything.”
Feeling exasperated, I decide to keep my questions to myself as it’s obvious she’s scared to talk, which doesn’t make me feel any better.
Instead, I distract myself by gazing in wonder at the beautiful furnishings and delicate interior details of the most amazing house I have ever been inside.
Aliana takes me to a large kitchen that takes my breath away. It’s huge and surely a chef’s wet dream. Waiting inside is the woman I saw on the steps, and I stare at her with interest because this woman looks like a queen. She’s well dressed, oozes wealth and is extremely attractive in an autocratic way. She looks up as we enter and her gaze sweeps over me, making me squirm a little because the simple cotton dress I’m wearing is nothing compared to the designer gown she wears so well.
She is sitting beside the sweet little boy—Luca, who looks at me through curious eyes, but other than that there is no emotion in his face at all.
The Throne of Hate: A mafia romance (The Romano's Book 2) Page 3
