by L A Cotton
“It’s okay,” Arianne reassured me. “I trust Luis with my life. He’s one of the good guys.”
“Hello.” It came out weak.
“Miss O’Connell.” He gave me a small nod. “How are you feeling?”
I frowned. He knew my name? Interesting.
“I’m okay. Nicco and Arianne have been very kind.”
“Coffee?” Arianne asked him.
“That would be great. Where’s Nicco?”
“Visiting with his father.” Something in her expression tightened.
“How is he?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure.”
“Antonio is a fighter.” He squeezed her shoulder gently. “If anyone can beat it, he can.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m to accompany Miss O’Connell to the cabin tomorrow?”
“We’ll all go and get her settled. But yes, I’d feel better if you’d stay.” She glanced at me. “If that’s okay with you?”
“I…”
“I’ll keep out of your way. You’ll hardly know I’m there.”
“O-okay.”
The gravity of my situation crashed into me. I was in Niccolò Marchetti’s apartment with his young wife, discussing being shipped off to their family’s cabin with close protection.
It was too much to process.
And yet, no one had ever gone to such lengths to make me feel safe before.
My entire life had been one big string of disappointments and being let down by the people who were supposed to love and protect you.
“It’s going to be okay, Cait.”
Arianne kept saying that.
I just didn’t know when, or if, I would ever believe it.
“You’re sure?”
The voices beyond my room made me stop rising from bed.
After a morning of going through the new things Arianne had bought me, I’d retreated to my room to rest. I must have fallen asleep because it was hours later and already dark outside.
“Our contact at the hospital said DiMarco showed up first thing this morning, sniffing around.”
A chill ran down my spine, fear stealing the air from my lungs.
Zander knew—he knew, and he was already looking for me.
“But they didn’t tell him anything, right?”
“No, patient confidentiality will protect her to a degree, and we paid off the right people to buy discretion, including wiping the CCTV, but if he manages to get anyone to talk—”
“They could place Enzo and Matteo at the hospital.”
“Unlikely, but it’s a possibility.”
I was up and out of the bed before I knew it. Yanking the door open, I stormed into the living room. Arianne’s eyes widened to saucers. “Caitlin, what are—”
“He knows.” I looked at Nicco.
He drew in a sharp breath. “It would seem so.”
“Shaun?” If anything had happened to him because of me… I wasn’t sure I could live with that.
“We don’t know yet.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know yet?”
“We have to tread very carefully. If DiMarco suspects we’re involved—”
“If Zander suspects Shaun lied, do you have any idea what he’ll do to him?”
Nicco’s eyes darkened. “I have a pretty good idea.” He rubbed his jaw. “I know this is hard, but until we figure out how to handle this—”
“Nicco.” Arianne inched closer, shooting her husband a scathing look. “I’m sure your friend will be okay and as soon as it’s safe to do so, Nicco will send someone to check on him. Won’t you?” She pinned him with another hard look.
Hands jammed casually in his pockets, he gave her an imperceptible nod. “We have guys in Providence keeping an eye out, but right now, we have to be discreet.”
My gaze bounced between them both as I hugged myself tight.
“Cait,” Arianne said softly. “We’ll do everything we can to protect you from Zander, I promise.”
She kept saying that, but she didn’t know what he was capable of, how obsessed he was.
“I need to check in on my father,” Nicco said. “I’ll be back later.” He went to Arianne and cupped her face in his hands. “Ti amo, Bambolina.”
Her eyes fluttered as she kissed him back, and I turned away affording them some privacy. Ignoring the ache—the longing—in my chest.
Their love was a living, breathing thing that bled throughout the entire room. It was impossible to be unaffected by it, no matter how much it made my heart squeeze.
Nicco left and Arianne offered to make us both some hot cocoa.
“Are you hungry? There’s some leftover lasagna.”
“I’m okay, thank you.”
“You haven’t eaten much since you got here.”
“I don’t have much of an appetite yet.”
She nodded, handing me a mug of frothy, rich hot cocoa topped with marshmallows.
“Is Nicco’s father okay?” I blurted out, my cheeks burning at my sudden outburst.
“Actually, no.” Grief washed over her. “He’s sick.”
“I’m sorry. That must be very difficult for Nicco… and you.”
“If you have something you want to ask, ask it.”
There was no malice in her words, only gentle understanding.
“Will…” I inhaled a sharp breath. “Does that mean Nicco will…” I trailed off, dipping my gaze.
“Will he take over his father’s… responsibilities? Yes.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“I knew who Nicco was when I married him, Caitlin.” Her expression softened. “And my answer would always be the same. I love him. And love knows no bounds.”
Spoken with a conviction I myself couldn’t understand. I’d never known that kind of love and devotion.
“You seem very happy,” I said.
“We are. You know, Matt—”
Panic welled inside me as I rushed out, “Please, don’t.”
“Very well. But you know, Cait, you can’t avoid him forever.”
Precisely why I couldn’t stop thinking that letting them help me was a huge mistake.
“Cait, we’re almost here.” Arianne gently shook my shoulders, rousing me from a fitful dream.
I hadn’t meant to fall asleep on the way to the cabin—it was only a short ride—but the rumble of the SUV had quickly lulled me into oblivion.
Rubbing my eyes, I peered out of the tinted window, watching the dense trees roll by as Luis drove down the dirt road to the cabin.
“There’s only one route in and out,” she said. “Luis knows this area like the back of his hand. Nicco and his cousins too. There’s hot water, electricity, and plenty of home comforts. Cell service should be okay.”
The brand-new iPhone felt heavy in my pocket. I hadn’t wanted to accept it, but Arianne wanted me to have a way to contact her should I need to. Plus, it gave me a tether to the real world.
Not that I had anything left in the real world.
“My offer still stands. I can stay—”
“No,” I said hastily. “You don’t need to do that. I need some time… alone.”
Arianne smiled. “I understand. Nora was sorry she couldn’t make it.”
“That’s okay.” I didn’t need a farewell party. It already felt like they had done too much for me.
“Remember, you can take as much time as you need.”
I nodded.
The SUV came to a stop and Luis climbed out, coming around to open my door. “Miss O’Connell,” he said.
“Thank you.”
God, I seemed to be doing a lot of that. Thanking people. Nodding. Agreeing with them. Zander had turned me into a docile, wounded creature.
And I hated him for it.
But what choice did I have but to acquiesce?
Unless I wanted to go it alone with nothing but the clothes on my back and the few dollars in my purse, I needed the help. At least, until I could figure out a plan
.
It wasn’t like I had much in my apartment in Providence anyway, and a lot of it came from Zander. Things I didn’t ever want to touch or see again.
A shudder ran down my spine as I climbed out of the SUV. The frigid air brushed up against me and I burrowed deeper into the thick sweater Arianne had bought me.
I was grateful, I was. But part of me was angry that I was here. Again. Relying on the charity of others. DiMarco’s was supposed to be my way out. When Zander had offered me the job, I’d jumped at the chance to fix my desperate need to earn money. But I’d underestimated his motives, and before it was too late, he’d set his sights on me.
“Caitlin?” Arianne called, and my head snapped up.
“Coming.” I followed them to the cabin. It was impressive on the outside, but the inside was something to behold. There was a large, open plan living space with a kitchen in the back, divided by a gorgeous, soft sectional. The open fire was filled with chopped wood just begging to be lit, and the furniture was all rustic to match the open beams.
It was beautiful.
“There’s a heating system,” Luis said, stoking the fire. “Though nothing beats an open fire.”
“Living room and kitchen,” Arianne said. “Then the hall leads to the main bathroom, one master suite, and three guest bedrooms.
“You can have your pick of any of the three, but my favorite is the first door on the left.” A warm smile graced her face. “Come on.”
She led me down the hall and into the first bedroom.
“Wow, this is… stunning.” It rivalled the guest room at their apartment. Decadent décor and ornate, hand-carved furniture. It was rustic and welcoming and everything I’d never had before.
“It’s yours,” she said. “For as long as you need it.”
Emotion welled inside my chest, and I glanced away, trying to hide the moisture clinging to my lashes.
But when Arianne said, “I’ll give you a minute.” I knew I’d failed.
Silence enveloped me. Thick, oppressive silence. I surveyed the room, my gaze snagging on my reflection in the dresser mirror.
The woman staring back at me looked exhausted, dark circles ringing her dull, lifeless green eyes. Bruises mottled her skin, angry red welts lining her jaw.
She was a mess.
I was a mess.
The tears I’d fought so hard to contain began spilling down my cheeks.
“How did you end up here again? How?” I gripped the edge of the dresser, my eyes shuttering with anguish.
I was a fighter, a survivor, had been since I was just a kid. But over and over, I found myself in these desperate situations. Like a magnet for the broken and bad.
I could hear my mom’s raspy voice as clear as day. “You’re nothing but a worthless whore, Cait. That’s all you’ll ever be.”
But I wasn’t that girl. I never had been. She was just too bitter, too angry and high to see it.
“Cait?” Arianne’s voice startled me.
“Just a minute.” I swiped the tears from my eyes, wincing when I caught the bruising on my cheek. It still hurt, but not nearly as much as my heart.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m coming,” I called, forcing myself to take a calming breath.
Checking my reflection one last time, I slipped back into the hall.
“Are you hungry?” she asked. “I thought we could eat before Nicco gets here.”
He was picking Arianne up to take her back to Romany Square. Luis would remain here with me as agreed.
I still didn’t know how to feel about being here with a man I hardly knew, but I did know it was preferable to being out in the middle of nowhere alone.
My eyes flicked over to where Luis was tending the fire. As if she heard my thoughts, Arianne said, “Luis is practically family. I wouldn’t leave him here with you if I didn’t trust him.”
“We’ve got company,” he announced, peering out of the window.
“It’s just Nicco.” Arianne moved toward him, frowning at whatever she saw beyond the window.
“I’ll be back,” she said, glancing over her shoulder at me. With a silent look at Luis, she slipped out of the cabin and a trickle of fear went through me.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Nothing. I’m sure it’s—”
But I was already moving toward the window, gasping when I saw the figure step out of the car.
“What is he doing here?” My voice quivered as I clutched my throat.
“I’m sure there’s a perfectly good explanation,” Luis said.
Yeah, like he couldn’t stay the hell away.
Anger unfurled in my stomach, heating my blood and without thinking, I yanked open the door, stepped outside, and hissed, “What the hell are you doing here?”
Chapter 8
Matteo
Arianne let out a soft sigh as Caitlin glared at me, her anger like a storm raging between us.
“Nicco couldn’t come, he—”
“How convenient,” she spat the words. “So you figured, what? You’d come and try to force me to talk to you?”
“Caitlin, that isn’t what’s happening here.” Arianne stepped forward, but Caitlin jerked back.
“I trusted you.” Hurt flashed over her features. “I trusted you and—”
“Antonio was rushed to the hospital,” I blurted out. “Nicco couldn’t come because his family needed him.”
“Oh.” Her expression slipped, some of the anger melting away, replaced with guilt. “I… I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay,” Arianne said. “Why don’t you go inside, and I’ll be right there.”
“Yeah, sorry.” Caitlin’s cool gaze swept over me, leaving me chilled to the bone.
She all but ran back into the cabin.
I let out a frustrated breath. “That went well.”
“She needs time, Matt.” Sympathy shone in Ari’s eyes. “She’s… confused and hurting.”
“I’m not the enemy,” I grumbled, feeling totally out of my depth.
“No, but you are a guy she’s been intimate with. It’s a lot to confront after everything she’s been through.”
I glanced up at the cabin and dragged a hand down my face. “I guess I’ll wait out here.”
“Thank you.” Ari squeezed my hand. “I’ll just say goodbye and then we can go.”
Nicco and Alessia, his sister, were already at the hospital with Enzo and Nora. I’d offered to come get Ari and take her straight there.
I’d almost jumped at the chance to come out here with a valid excuse to see her. Probably not my brightest idea ever, but I’d underestimated just how much Caitlin didn’t want to see me.
Way to go, Matt.
Luis stepped out onto the porch. “How’s Toni?”
“We don’t know yet.”
Fuck, if anything happened to him, I didn’t want to think about the domino effect that would have.
“Tell Nicco I’ll be praying.”
I nodded, my eyes flicking beyond him to the door. “How is she?”
“Arianne?”
“No, Caitlin.”
He frowned. “She’s as well as can be expected given the circumstances.”
“You’ll watch out for her?”
“Of course. Is she… someone to you?” Luis’s brow lifted.
“She’s…”
The door opened and Arianne appeared. “I’m going to be a few minutes. Come and wait inside.”
“I’m not sure—”
“It’s fine.”
“I’m going to check the perimeter.” Luis took off toward the tree line.
“Come on,” Ari beckoned me inside.
There was no sign of Caitlin, and I didn’t ask. The sting of dejection weighed heavily on my shoulders.
At least she was here, safe. Out of the clutches of that sick motherfucker.
“Is she—”
Caitlin appeared in the hallway, her lips pulled into a tight line.
�
��I’ll wait in the car,” Arianne said to me, before turning her attention on Caitlin. “Remember you can call or text me at any time.”
Caitlin gave her an imperceptible nod, hugging herself tight as if she was trying to build a physical wall between us.
This wasn’t the same woman I’d met all those months ago. She had fire in her eyes and warmth in her heart that night. But now there was no sparkle in her gaze, only pain and sadness. And it fucking gutted me.
Arianne left, the click of the door like a gunshot in the silence.
“Caitlin, I—”
“Let me,” she cut me off. “I’m sorry, about before. You didn’t deserve that.” Her voice trembled.
“Hey.” I stepped forward, but she immediately jerked back. “Caitlin, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m not—”
“I know.” She inhaled a shuddering breath. “But I can’t… I can’t.”
“Can’t what? I’m not asking you for anything. I just want to help. I want to—”
“You should go.” The words tumbled from her lips. “I only wanted to apologize for my behavior. I’m not… that isn’t me. But everything is messed up and I need some time.”
“I get that.” But I didn’t want to leave, not with so much left unsaid between us.
Caitlin stared at me, through me, silently begging me to go. I couldn’t do it though. Not without doing something.
Glancing around the cabin, my eyes landed on the sideboard. I marched over to it, grabbed the pen and scribbled my cell phone number on the notepad. “Here.” I tore it off and held it out to her.
But she just kept staring.
Fine. I didn’t need her to take it to know she had it.
Pulling one of the magnets off the refrigerator, I pinned it there. “If you need anything, any time, night or day, you can call me. Text me. Leave me a message. It doesn’t matter. I’ll pick up. I swear.”
Her stone expression gave nothing away, but I at least felt a little better about leaving.
“You’re not alone in this, Caitlin. Not one bit.”
I made for the door, praying she would call after me.
She didn’t.
“Any word from Nicco?” I asked Arianne as we made the ride back into the city.
“Nothing.”
“Hey.” I reached over and squeezed her arm. “He’ll be okay.”
