I’d seen what Luca could do when he focused on a single woman. I had heard the stories. The man was used to getting his own way. Funny, so was I but I listened when a woman said no. Checking my watch, I wondered what in the hell was taking her so long. How long did it take to go to the bathroom? Well, she was a girl. God, I could be here for an hour waiting on her. Fuck that.
Pushing off the railing, I went in search of her. I wanted to go back to the hotel and forget this night ever happened. Besides, my brothers were blowing up my phone every five minutes and if I didn’t answer them soon, they would send in the reserves. I didn’t need my brothers and cousins showing up causing problems.
Talk about drama from hell.
God, where in the hell was she?
The yacht was big and there had to be at least a hundred people packed onto this thing like a can of sardines. Everyone was drunk, dancing, sweating. Acting like fools just for a laugh. I would have thought I would have been right in the thick of it with them but I found myself disgusted with all of it. Maybe it was because of the blatant disregard for self-respect but the more I looked around the more I started to feel bad for them. Was this all they had to live for? It was actually funny. Me thinking that. Not even two weeks ago, I was one of them. I participated in my fair share of folly; I was good at making an ass out of myself for a good laugh but something about this situation didn’t feel right anymore.
I couldn’t put my finger on it but just maybe I was tired of it all?
Nope.
Not possible.
That would mean Gio was right and I refused to admit that.
No. I was just in one of my broody moods. That was it.
Shaking off my thoughts, I continued down into the hull of the boat, searching for my escape artist. I knew I shouldn’t have let her go off with that woman but I didn’t think it would be a problem. It was another woman. Women stuck together. They were bathroom buddies. I thought it would be fine.
The noise was drowned out below, allowing me to think for the first time tonight. I had no idea what was taking her so long but I wanted to find her and get the hell out of this place.
I heard a scuffle up ahead. Following the noise, I found two of Luca’s guards guarding a door. Smiling, I approached. “Hey boys. I was wondering where you were hiding. You know your boss is upstairs right?”
“Return top-side Valentinetti. Mr. Costa doesn’t want to be disturbed.”
“Luca is topside asshole. Which begs the question, who you are protecting?”
The goon stepped forward. “Go back upstairs. Now.”
“Can’t do that. I am looking for my woman.”
“Shewasyours. Not anymore. Now. Leave.”
And just like that, I was alert.
“Who’s in there?”
When neither man said a word, I stepped closer and smirked. “Look, you either move or I will move you myself.”
And that’s when they put hands on me.
Funny thing about fighting.
I was good at it.
Had to be in my life. I just didn’t grow up like some privileged spoiled kid who hid behind the coat tails of his father and now brother. Nope. One thing my father insisted on was that all his children were capable of handling any situation. We’d been taught from the moment we could walk how to defend ourselves.
So, when Luca’s goons laid hands on me, I grinned, “Oh asshole, you shouldn’t have touched me.”
My fist connected with his face as I kicked out, connecting my foot with his partner. It was only two of them, so I wasn’t worried until two more arrived, each holding guns.
Fuck me. I hated when Gio was right.
Thirteen
Donatella