Chapter Six
Sergio killed the engine in front of the single-wide trailer. He looked at Jessie first. She leaned her head against the glass and snoozed. Asleep, she looked peaceful, like an angel. He didn’t wake her at first. He exited the car and surveyed his surroundings. His parents’ old single-wide trailer lay on the outskirts of the trailer park. His closest neighbor was a good distance away.
There was no sign they were being followed. Sergio had made a clean break. The Rossi Family wouldn’t think to find him here. When he joined their ranks, Sergio had been close-mouthed about his past. Victor knew his uncle but little else about his family. What else was there to say?
Sergio checked the condition of the trailer. He maintained this place because he sometimes used it as a safe house. Apart from the thin film of dust that had gathered on some of the surfaces and counters, the trailer was intact. No one had thought to rob him since his last visit.
When he exited the trailer, he spotted Jessie getting out of his car. She still looked beat. Dark circles lingered under her eyes. Her skin was pale, her hair a mess.
“Where are we?” she asked him.
This is it, Sergio thought. The moment she’d decide to leave. She wasn’t his captive, although he could easily keep her here in the trailer against her will. Sergio didn’t force himself on women and especially wouldn’t on her. He wanted her willing, eager, and utterly helpless underneath him. He needed to convince her it was better they stay together, and he knew a thing or two about survival and lying low. Her chances of survival would be higher if she remained with him. Right now, both of them were no better than walking targets. He could imagine Victor and Aldo overturning the entire city to look for them there.
“A safe house,” he replied.
She raised one dark eyebrow and studied the trailer.
Sergio couldn’t help but laugh. “I know. It’s not much on the outside but inside is better.”
He held out a hand to her, wondering if she’d take it or bat it away. Jessie hesitated for a brief second, then she took his hand. He took that opportunity to pull her close. Sergio slanted his mouth over hers and kissed herjust because he could. He took her rough and deep. Like before, she didn’t resist him. She dug her nails into his shoulders, igniting a fire inside him he thought long dead.
Eventually, they had to pull up for air. He released her.
“You’re safe as long as you stay with me,” he told her.
She drew in a shaky breath. “This is crazy, Sergio. I barely know you. I don’t know what the hell I’m—we’re supposed to be doing.”
“Surviving.”
She settled the palms of her hands against his chest. He wondered if she knew that she was the only woman capable of stirring life back into his dead heart. He wanted to feel her bare flesh against his, his hands on her curves, his cock inside—Sergio cut away that filthy line of thought. Jessie claimed she didn’t know him. He could fix that.
“And if I decide I don’t want a part of this?”
“You already are. If you leave my protection and go your own way, you won’t survive long. Victor will continue to send killers after you. I know him. I’ve been by his side for twenty years. He won’t stop until you’re dead.”
She shivered. “I’m no one important.”
“He’s pragmatic. Victor always cuts away loose threads. Come inside, you’re cold.” Sergio managed to usher her inside the trailer. For a second, she stood against him and he let her. She gripped his shirt, saying nothing.
“Sergio, everyone eventually leaves me.Sowill you. That’s what I’m scared of,” she whispered.
“That’ll never happen.” He kissed her again because he couldn’t have enough of the taste of her lips. Sergio rested his forehead against hers. “Jessie, I’ve told you time and time again. You’ve become my obsession. Letting you go is the last thing on my mind. You understand?”
She nodded and eventually moved away from him to explore the space. He could tell the pricey furnishings surprised her. Sergio walked to a panel on the wall and turned on the security system. Once it went online, Sergio could breathe a little easier. There were cameras outside the trailer. Sergio would be alerted immediately if they received any unwanted visitors.
“Where’s the bathroom?” she asked him.
“Go down that corridor. First door to your left.”
“I’m going to take a quick shower,” she said.
“Take all the time you need,” Sergio reassured.
That would give him time to prepare them dinner. Sergio might still have some usable ingredients in the fridge and cupboards. While she busied herself in the bath, Sergio raided the kitchen. He found some pasta, tomato sauce, and some bacon in the freezer. Perfect. As Sergio opened the tomatoes and dumped them in a pot, he thought about their next move. There wouldn’t be much to do except lay low. He hadn’t lied to Jessie. Victor Rossi would hunt them both down to the ends of the earth. Would either of them be free again?
He clenched his jaw. Jessie once asked him why he decided to save her instead of ending her life. Sergio had always been one step of his opponents. He planned ahead and had been methodical, practical and efficient.
He’d acted on impulse when it came to Jessie’s safety. His uncle would call his attachment to another human being a weakness, but what did his uncle know about women? Carlo died with a gun in his hand, a bullet between his eyes. Sergio once thought there was no other better way to die. Once.