She makes ammmsound that goes straight to my cock and almost has me turning around. But I don’t. I won’t rest until I answer the threat to her life. With interest.
8
ANGELICA
Igasp, sitting up, my heart pounding. The sounds of gunfire haunt me. My eyes flick around the dark bedroom. The only light flooding in comes from the bathroom door that’s still open.
I’d left the light on in there before I’d crawled into bed after I’d eaten. I didn’t think it would be possible to sleep, but in case I did, I hadn’t wanted to wake up to utter darkness in a place I still don’t know.
My eyes go to the other side of the bed. Antonio isn’t there, but Diablo is. I reach over and pet his head. “What time is it?”
Diablo purrs loudly. I give him an extra scratch under the chin before I slip from the bed and pull back the curtains to see the moon bright in the sky.
“Has he even checked on us?” I ask Diablo. He stands, stretching as he walks across the bed before jumping down. “Or does he always stay out this late?” Diablo circles in and out of my legs before darting toward the door, wanting out.
“Why don’t we go have a look around?” I crack open the door and peek out. The hallway is empty. Diablo is out the door the second I open it. He’s quicker than I thought he would be. He’s down the hallway and turning in the direction of the stairs before I know it. I follow after him. The house is eerily quiet.
When I make it to the top of the stairs, I see a man dressed in all black standing in the front entry. He glances my way before quickly redirecting his gaze elsewhere but doesn't move from where he’s standing. Is he making sure no one gets out or in? I’m guessing Antonio has put extra security everywhere after today's events.
My ears perk up when I hear a female voice. I slowly make my way down the stairs, not wanting whoever is talking to hear me. I follow the sounds of the voice. My eyes spot a giant old clock on the wall, letting me know it’s two in the morning. It’s then I hear Antonio's familiar voice.
A knot starts to form in my stomach. Whatever could he be doing at two in the morning with another female? So many thoughts start to run through my mind. Is it because I didn’t give him what he clearly wanted? I suppose the better question is why do I care?
This should be what I want. He said he wouldn’t force me. He could go get what he needs somewhere else, and I won’t have to worry about it. A lick of white-hot anger flashes up my spine at the thought of him wanting someone else.
I suppose Idocare for some reason. If I have to be stuck in this, then so should he. I can’t go out and date. The same should definitely apply to him. Plus, does he think I’m going to be okay with him having sex with random women then having sex with me to get his heir? I’ll end up with one of those STDs I’ve read about. No thank you.
My mom was never one to speak out of line when it came to my father. She always did what she was told, but I still remember one night waking up to her screaming about my father having given her chlamydia. At the time, I didn’t even know what that was. My older sister and I had to google it when we got some computer time for our schoolwork.
I creep past another man. His eyes flick my way and then away quickly. Antonio’s words about not wanting his men to see me more than they had to spring to mind. He must have told them not to look at me. I suppose I am only in one of his shirts, but it hangs down to my knees almost.
When I get to a cracked door, I pause, trying to hear whatever the two of them are discussing. “I’ve had enough for tonight,” Antonio says. My heart sinks.
“Just like that?” the woman huffs.
“Gia.” His tone is low and filled with warning.
“Whatever.” I start to step back when the door flies open. A dark-haired girl comes stomping out. Her eyes lock with mine. She’s dressed in a pair of silky shorts and a top. Part of it hangs off one shoulder. “You’re the wife?”
“Angel.” Antonio calls my name. I turn to see him standing behind a desk. The top few buttons of his shirt are undone. The sleeves rolled up.
“No,” I answer the girl, who can’t be any older than I am.
Part of me wants to scratch her eyes out, but another part of me feels guilty. This girl has likely been with Antonio before he knew I existed. Hell, he hadn’t cared who he married as long as it got him where he needed to be. It’s why he got stuck with me and not my other sister, who my father is always getting offers for.
“Yes,” Antonio corrects. That knot in my stomach travels upward toward my throat.
I will not cry. I turn and walk away before I bolt, not wanting him to see that I’m running. More than that, I don’t want him to see that I’m about to cry. I hate it. I’m so angry. I shouldn’t care what he does.
“Ma’am, you can’t go out there,” the man at the front door tries to tell me. I ignore him. He doesn’t physically try to stop me.
“She’s running!” I hear the girl shout.
“Angelica!” Antonio roars. For a brief moment, I pause. His intensity almost paralyzes me.
Three men turn my way when I exit out the front. “Mrs. Palermo,” one says. I ignore them too. I have no clue where I’m going, but I dash down the side of the house.
“Sir!” one shouts as another follows after me.