“Hush, or I’ll have to punish you,” I whisper. I can’t have her making demands of me in front of my men. Plus, I haven’t figured out how Conti will twist this to his advantage. No doubt he is working on a plan to either get her back or kill me for double crossing him, or both.
“I have to run out briefly while you rest.”
“Are you leaving me with the guards again?”
“They have names, Flavio and Riccardo. I suggest you use them, otherwise, it’s just rude. I won’t tolerate insolence from anyone, especially you.”
I’m tired of playing babysitter. Work is calling. I have contacts here that I need to meet up with and I’m taking Riccardo with me. He’s almost always with me. The only exception is when I sneak off and no one knows where I am, like to get an espresso.
Juliet walks beside me as we pass hotel staff on our way to the back of the building and enter the private elevator, where Riccardo uses a card key in the elevator to make it move and hits the button P. She remains quiet for the short ride up to the penthouse.
After the elevator stops, Flavio pulls out the key card and I put my arm out to stop Juliet from getting out.
“Please, Ms. Accordi, wait here until I give you an all clear,” Flavio says as he walks into a magnificent penthouse that is more of a home away from home.
From Juliet’s gasp, I’m sure she expected just a hotel room, but she should know by now that I’m not an average man.
14
Juliet
I’m tense until Dante moves behind me and puts a hand on my arm, as if protecting me from some imaginary foe. Or is he just looking for an excuse to touch me?
His hand is warm and surprisingly soft, sending a shiver of excitement up my spine. The level of sexual tension between us is off the charts and I’m exhausted from the overwhelming day of shopping. The fact we can never let our guard down, even when we’re traveling, is a clear indication that more is going on than he’s sharing with me. Maybe he’s right, I need to lie down and rest. Can I lie down with him?
Flavio returns. “All clear, boss.”
Dante nods and his hand falls away from my arm. “You may move around as you like.”
I fling him a look and saunter over to the windows to check out the scenery. The windows run from floor to ceiling and take up the entire wall. I’ve never been surrounded by such jaw-dropping opulence, and with no blinds or drapes, the view does not disappoint. Outside is a rooftop garden decorated with sculptures and fountains, shaded by a pergola covered with climbing roses blooming in every color.
As beautiful as it is, I feel exposed and cross my arms protectively, as I would if I were cold. Dante takes his jacket off, puts it around my shoulders, then leaves without a word.
What was that about? He’s giving me a lot of mixed signals and I’m not sure what to make of it. I wonder what he has planned for me. For us. Am I sharing a room with him?
He won’t tell me anything and I know better than to ask his goons. No way are they doing anything to piss him off.
I don’t know how they can enjoy spending their lives waiting for him to tell them what to do, but it’s probably all they’ve ever known. Maybe my parents gave me up so that I didn’t have to live this restrictive lifestyle.
I continue my exploration of the suite, walking through the dining area, tracing my finger along a mahogany table set for a dinner for eight. Two beautiful chandeliers hang from the vaulted ceiling, one at each end of the table. I pick up a piece of china and turn it over. Of course, it’s Limoges. I roll my eyes and put it back, carefully. I don’t even bother to check the water glasses. They’re probably Waterford crystal.
The living room has a black leather sectional that takes up most of the room and the biggest television I’ve ever seen. Someone in the next building could watch that TV without needing binoculars.
I glance into the full kitchen with its beautiful stone countertops, the latest stainless-steel appliances, and a backsplash made entirely of sea glass. I love to collect sea glass and make a mental note to do the same in my own kitchen someday. The fixtures and faucets look like shiny ornaments that have never been used.
“Ah, good to be home,” Riccardo sighs, making his way through the kitchen on his way to his room, I presume.
Flavio is still standing guard by the exit when Dante appears out of nowhere. If this is a mob hideout, I wouldn’t be surprised if the place has trapdoors and secret passages.
“My room?” My eyes beseech his.
“Yours is over there, on the left. And don’t try anything to make me regret bringing you,” he threatens, and I wonder if he could ever be in a relationship where he’s not barking orders.
Heading in the direction he pointed, I stroll to my room and find all my packages inside, along with some art supplies I didn’t even know he bought. The room is straight out of a movie, only even more grandiose, with heavy dark blue drapes over the windows that once more extend from the floor to the ceiling. I can make out afternoon shadows on the building across the way, an office building perhaps.
I’ve never been in a penthouse suite, but now I can understand the attraction and could get used to this. I just wonder if the price I’m going to have to pay Dante for this is worth it.
The windows are closed and we’re so high up, I can barely hear the horns and sirens from the traffic below. In this rarefied air, I can almost forget I’m being held against my will. With Flavio guarding the door, the only way out of this place is to jump, or to be rescued by Spider-Man.