by Aria Ford
My control snapped in that moment; I was so fucking tired of Aya being referred to as a slave. Shoving Sylvi backwards with the flat of my fists, I cut off his little rant with my forearm against his throat. Sucking in heaving breaths, my lip curled up into a snarl. My brother’s face contorted in a mix of pain and irritation, and I watched the fire blaze from his eyes before parting my clenched teeth.
“Don’t fucking start that slave shit, Sylvi, because I’ll ruin your fucking face. And before you open your big fucking mouth, let me answer your dumb ass question. Yeah- I don’t blame it all on Georgio. And no- I don’t give two fucking shits about what people say. So just shut your fucking eyes and ignore it, because if you so much as look- Sei cazzo morto.” Glaring Sylvi down, I pressed him harder into the wooden door frame. His breath became harsh gasps, and a flash of uncertainty struck his orbs. Jerking his head in a nod as he turned a bright, lobster red, my brother choked when I finally let him free.
“What the actual fuck, Luciano… What’s so important about her that you threaten me like that?” Anger bled in Sylvi’s voice even as a harsher pain shot through his wide eyes. Taking a large step back, I sucked in a deep breath and held it for a moment.
“I can answer that.” My lungs deflated in a gale, and I tilted my head to find Tyler leaning off the second floor railing. His shoulders were relaxed, and for the first time in a while he wasn’t wearing a suit. Instead his muscular, lean arms were free to show off inked sleeves, and his wife beater had been chopped in half. Beckoning us with a wave of his hand, Tyler pushed himself off the rail as Sylvi silently took the stairs.
My mind reeled; I threatened to kill Sylvi more times than I could ever count. I just never meant it so much before. Shaking my head hard, I expelled a grunt as I followed him up to the second story.
Aya really is messing with me.
“I dug up on Aya like you told me, Luciano- and let me tell you she’s extremely hard to find. Her mother shielded her entirely from the spotlight, even went so far as to give her a different last name at birth. This is literally the only article I could find about her.” Leaning over Tyler’s shoulder, my body was stiff as he brought up an online breaking news segment. It was a short piece, outlining Aya’s parents’ deaths and her disappearance after the funeral. Grimacing, I pushed myself up before Sylvi spoke up from beside me.
“What else? There’s got to be more than just this.”
“Oh- there is. To be precise, it’s about $9.8 million more than this.” My eyes narrowed, back straightening as Tyler typed away absently to bring up different windows. “From what I found, her parents’ descent into drugs was slow and arduous. It started when she was 10, but this account I found was made when she was 7. The initial dump was over $4 million, and over time there were smaller dumps and deposits. All of them coincide with these extremely huge, successful movies and high profile clients. These projects were squeezed into stupidly tight deadlines-”
“Something made them worry about the girl’s future.” Pursing my lips together, I rocked back on my heels to watch Sylvi openly. He cupped his chin, his jaw ticking sharply as his fingers pounded against the desk with loud thunks. That was his thinking face, and I pictured the gears working inside his skull.
“That’s exactly what I first thought, so I searched for anything that connected Aya’s parents to any shady shit. I didn’t find jack, just a lot of mild stuff. Teenage shit- famous shit- DUIs and the like. After Aya’s mother’s sexual assault case, everything just stops until eight years later when they open the account. There was nothing out of the ordinary with either of their finances. I don’t know. It took me a long ass time just to unseal the parents’ OD investigation and court shit. I still need to finish combing through that, and then I’ll go after the mom first. She seems the most interesting.”
“Before you do any of that, tell me about the girl. What did she do before her parents’ killed themselves?” Sylvi seemed to read my mind, but his voice was distracted as he tried to work through what Tyler was telling him. Snatching a few sheaths of paper, the nerd adjusted his glasses with one hand as he flicked through the pile with the other.
Curiosity burned a hole through my brain; Aya’s money didn’t interest me nearly as much as it interested Sylvi. I could always just have her tell me.
“According to school records she was an alright student- not the best but not the worst. She got a psychiatric evaluation in high school, and took time off to get testing done. Apparently people thought she was psychotic or idiopathic or both. When all of that came back negative she finished up her junior and senior year quietly. This was during the time her parents’ were still in and out of rehab, but when she graduated they stopped. I’m guessing she moved to one of the four properties her father’s law firm managed, because I can’t find her again until her police report the night of her parents’ deaths.”
The thick hairs on my arms and the back of my neck stood up, and behind my eyelids Aya’s face flashed. Instantly my mind rejected the notion that someone had her evaluated out of the kindness of his heart. High school was nasty; it only took one person to permanently fuck someone else up for life.
“That makes no sense. None of this explains why Trevor snatched her. He obviously didn’t know about the money. She’s not amazingly smart computer-in-a-lump-of-flesh kind of way… and he didn’t even have anything of import in that regard anyway. The guy couldn’t power up a computer, let alone encrypt something. So, what are your ideas, Tyler?”
In his chair Tyler shrugged, leaning back to rest his head on his arm. His jeans rustled as he crossed his legs, and I rolled my eyes. He’d seen it all and then some; nothing phased him into mild shortness of breath anymore.
“Well, we really have no choice but to wait and try to get some more information from Aya. It’d be nice if we could find the safe she told you about, Luciano. That, or the cross dresser- whatever.” Grinding my molars together, I only offered a grunt as Sylvi’s gaze bored holes into my head. I didn’t have the patience for this shit.
Turning on my heel, I strode from the room with heavy stomps and headed for the stairs. Taking the steps two at a time, I let my mind wander to this morning for the first time. Aya wasn’t some desperate cunt trying to fuck for security.
No- and I don’t need to fuck her to keep her. My inner voice snickered darkly at that, and I licked my teeth as I reached the top of the steps. Phantom touches whispered across my skin, and I shook myself out as a growl built in my throat.
The sound of water pelting tile washed over me as soon as I pushed open Aya’s door. With no thought my legs carried me forward, my arm flinging back to slam the barrier shut. Tyler might be able to see in here, with his damn cameras, but he couldn’t hear anything. The air became thin the closer I came, and goosebumps rose up on my arms as a chill nipped at my lungs.
“Aya…” Her name slipped from between my lips quietly as foreboding twisted my gut. Stepping through the threshold, my legs stiffened at the cold air that swirled around me. Frost coated the large mirror, and my fingers slid along cold precipitation that had collected on the counter top.
My brain processed everything in slow motion as I turned to the shower stall. A thick glass pane shielded against my gaze, and my brows came together as my heart thudded against the bars that held it back. Water slapping tile became a drone in my ears, and I reached out to pull back the barrier with tense fingers.
Aya was sprawled on the floor, her pale skin turning blue from the freezing cold liquid that shot down on her from above. She twitched and shivered violently, groaning and whimpering through her sharp, rasping breaths. For a long moment I could only stare, but a pain ripped through my chest to force me into action.
“Fuck- fuck- Aya… wake up. Sveglia, stupida donna fottuta…” Grabbing a fistful of Aya’s long, auburn hair, I pulled her out of the shower stall with a yank. Heat filled my chest, gorging my muscles until they ached even as my brain struggled to come up with something to do.
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br /> “Stupid fucking- shit- Aya- Aya-” Slapping her cheeks hard, my palms tingled from the contact before an infuriated snarl was forced from my throat. “Wake the fuck up! Aya, non cazzo fare questo.”
Heat. That single word my frantic mind conjured made me still. Of fucking course she needed heat- she was hypothermic.
Picking up Aya’s light weight, I left the bathroom and kicked the door shut behind me. Her skin was so cold it burned mine, and I set her on her bed before ripping off my shirt. Stripping down to my boxers, I climbed up behind her to tug her as gently as I could manage. The ice that was her flesh left scorch marks on my abs, her freezing, wet hair clinging to my sides and forearms like the kiss of a barbed whip.
“Non puoi morire a meno che non ti uccido, Aya.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
AYA
Cuddling the solid warmth against my front, I beat back the soft light that pierced my eyelids. A pulsing drum beat against my eye sockets, and I curled up tighter into a ball. Prickles assaulted my back and legs, and I whimpered as the shock of it flexed my toes. My fingernails dug into hard flesh, my face burrowing to hide from the rays.
I fell… The thought floated up from my depths and caused the side of my head to throb. Memories flickered in my mind’s eye- of Luciano leaving me in this room. Of feeling frustrated at what I had done to him in the gym shower.
Of slipping on shampoo and hitting my head when I hit the floor.
Carefully cracking open one eye, I groaned softly when my headache flared painfully. My palms fought for purchase, trembling and sweaty as my fingertips probed blindly. Slowly pushing myself on weak arms, I ground my teeth together. Panting harsh, little gasps, my dry throat burned from my lungs futile attempts to fill themselves.
“Stop trying to move, Aya.” The deep rumblings were like an earthquake against my hands. Goosebumps rose up my arms, and I blinked hard before the dark blotches in my vision began to sharpen. Knuckles topped in coarse, thick hairs caressed my cheek, and my breath hitched when the voice and words entered my scope of comprehension.
“L- Lucian-n-o…” Slurring slightly, I took a deep, shuddering breath while his touch soothed my frayed nerves. “I f- fell… what-t…?”
Underneath my palms Luciano’s hard muscles flexed, his own cupping my cheek.
“I know. You’re okay, Aya. Just lay back down, now.” His voice was so smooth, so strong, that my arms collapsed. Gentle hands kept my face from slamming into him, and a groan slipped from my lips. Sinking into his tense bulk, I reveled in the smell of him, allowing it to envelope me completely.
Hours slipped by in total silence, total stillness, as my headache slowly lessened. My mind was blank, thinking of nothing but taking my next breath and the pump of my heart. All the while Luciano’s fingertip stroked my jaw, effortlessly moving back and forth in a hypnotizing sway. Compared to his touch the large shirt I wore was coarse and itchy, setting my skin on fire where it’d ridden up under my breasts.
“... You need to eat something.” Jolting me from my torpid state, Luciano’s gruff words yanked me back into consciousness. Big hands wrapped around my shoulders, and he pushed me up to throw his legs over the side of the bed. “Let’s go.”
The familiar carpet between my toes was comforting, and I nibbled on my bottom lip. Luciano watched me with an intensity that bordered on glaring, his hands clenched into tight fists at his side. My knees buckled under my own weight, and I held my arms out before me for balance.
“I’ll carry you.” Hot fingers scorched my hips, and I gasped as he hauled me off the ground. Pulling me to his chest, he held me to his side like one would a toddler. Locking my thighs against his abdominal muscles and back, my legs quivered when he took a step. His entire body rippled with pure power, and tears welled in my eyes at the sense of security that engulfed me.
“Thank you.” Whispering into the lowly lit hallway, my lips trembled as Luciano tensed against me. My forehead touched his shoulder, the muscles stiff and skin taut.
“... I didn’t go through this much fucking trouble just so you could die now.” Grumbling lowly, Luciano grunted before jostling his way down the stairs with heavy, thumping steps. This was probably as close to a ‘you’re welcome’ as he’d ever come, and I wasn’t going to push. Two floors past by quickly, and he tightened his arm around my waist before shouldering his way through a thick door frame.
Luciano didn’t set me down, or even flick on a light, as he strode into the kitchen. Stainless steel glinted in the gray gloom; it was that short time between the moon’s descent and the sun’s rise. Streams of bright, yellow light assaulted my peripheral vision when he flung open the refrigerator, but almost as quickly as it came it was gone.
My heart sped up its rhythm when Luciano dropped hard into a chair, shoving me over to straddle his lap. Face to face, my cheeks flooded with heat as his breath flowed down my skin. Popping open the plastic container, he leaned back and spread his legs wide. The smell of fried chicken blossomed, and my mouth watered while my fingers reached to pluck one out.
Taking a small bite, I bit back a soft groan as flavor erupted against my tongue. The bread crumb coating didn’t slide off or pop up, and I swallowed my piece before Luciano spoke up.
“You always eat such tiny bites, Aya.” His voice was like thunder crackling over the quiet kitchen. My eyes snapped to his face, the intensity blazing from his orbs tightening my throat. There was no expression on his face, but for once his gaze didn’t seem pitch black. The irises were dotted with sparkles, the rings twinkling like a moonless night. They were so cold and haunting. Forcing my gaze away, I took a second bite before I felt the weight of his attention leave me.
“... What’s going to happen to me now?” My question was a mere murmur, and I licked my lips absently as I pulled a cold, limp piece of broccoli out of the container. Luciano didn’t move, his eyes didn’t land on me, and I glanced up to find him staring at the ceiling. In the dark he looked like he belonged; the shadows welcoming him into their folds.
“Now that Georgio’s gone you can leave your room. I’ll be leaving you here while I go with Sylvi to check some of his establishments. We still don’t know why Trevor wanted you or who else was involved with him besides the Russians.” The blood drained from my face, and my heart pounded against my ribs at Luciano’s grumble. Slowly he lifted his head, as if he felt the change, and his expression twisted with distaste. “Unless you want to go to a brothel and three drug warehouses.”
Shaking my head hastily, I had trouble swallowing my bites. Luciano only grunted, letting his head rest against the back of the chair once again.
When I finished eating Luciano left the half empty container on the counter, his hands instead gripping my outer thighs tightly. A gasp flew from my lips as he pushed himself to stand, and I flung my arms around his neck without thinking. The heat of him burned through what little clothes I wore, and after a moment I rested my cheek on his shoulder.
“Go back to sleep. You need it, Aya.” Squeezing through the doorway, Luciano sauntered straight to my bed to set me down. He watched through narrow pupils as I curled up, covering myself with the thick comforter. Beneath the heavy fabric the chill of my room seeped through, nipping at my toes and raising the fine hairs on my back. Goosebumps formed on my skin, and I tightened the ball I’d made myself before closing my eyes.
Deep, even breaths flowed up my nose, and my body was heavy from food and pure exhaustion. I silently counted the seconds, waiting for Luciano’s heavy footfall to bring him away from my bedside.
Whatever grogginess that nibbled at the edge of my consciousness vanished when his breath flowed across my cheek. His lips brushed so softly, so hesitantly, along my skin that I almost didn’t notice. A thin coating of saliva marked his kiss as he pulled back, and a prickling sensation built up at my toes.
“Sonno, adesso. Ritornerò.” Leaving me alone, Luciano shut the door quietly behind him before my brain puttered into action. My eyelids popped open, p
upils blowing up while my throat closed. Reaching with a trembling hand, I touched the spot his lips had just been. The skin was hot, damp, and I shuddered as three little words circled my mind relentlessly.
Luciano kissed me.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
LUCIANO
Sprawled lazily in a lawn chair, I flung my arm over my eyes to keep out the sun my skin greedily soaked up. The days were longer and the nights shorter now that Georgio was gone; I could sleep at night without having to drive half an hour to escape the screams. Lounging in the heat that baked Sylvi’s two acre back yard, I tapped my foot absently to the Italian music that seeped from the windows.
Edith loved listening to music while she prepped and cooked, but it’d been scarce while the big bad Boss was around. A grimace dragged down my lips at the thought that she’d be scared of Georgio; she was a sweet woman.
“Luciano, there you are…” Grunting at Sylvi’s call, I didn’t lift my arm even as shuffling sounded in my ears. “I need your help picking out a new hostess. Tyler’s busy updating the security system and-”
“No.” Cutting my brother off, I took a deep breath of dry air before opening my mouth again. “Go whore shopping by yourself, Sylvi. Or just don’t go at all. It’s bad manners to tell a cagna you’ll set her free and set her up without clarifying that not only will you fuck her but you’ll torture her, too.”
A sharp bark of laughter followed my words into the windless atmosphere, and Sylvi dropped onto the chair next to mine with a clatter.
“You honestly expect me to believe you give any fucks at all about them, Luciano? I get it- you don’t want to put your hands on a woman that doesn’t want it. I really get that. But these whores signed up for this. Every one of them knew the risk when they started working.”
