“And what do I handle for you?”
Renato sucks in an audible breath. I press my thighs together when I sense the need in his eyes. No one has ever looked at me the way he does. It makes me feel sexy and maybe a bit sassy even. “I’m a virgin,” I blurt out. I have no clue how to please a man or do things for him. But I want to know. “I’m a quick learner.”
A choking cough comes from the driver's seat that has me remembering we’re not alone. Dang it. Antony is creepy quiet!
“Oh my God, I didn’t mean for it to come out that way.” I hide my face in my hands.
“Little bird.” Renato pulls my hands away from my face as the SUV rolls to a stop. Antony hops out, leaving us alone. “You have nothing to be shy over. You’ll be my wife very soon.” I peek up at him. “Though I would prefer if you didn’t speak of sex in front of my men.”
“I’m sorry. I embarrassed you.”
“No, little bird. You didn’t embarrass me.” He leans down closer. “I don’t want my men thinking about you and sex at all.”
I nod. “I don’t want that either.”
“Good girl.” He drops a kiss on the tip of my nose, making me smile. “Welcome home,” he says, opening the door and helping me out. For the first time in my life, I actually feel as though that’s exactly where I am.
9
Renato
“Where have you been?” Claudio looks deranged as he rushes toward the front door. “And who’s this? What’s in this box? What is going on?”
“Wow, your house is so big.” Maddie looks up at the high ceiling, then turns side to side to see the large sitting room and the music room on the left side. “I think the entire contents of my apartment could fit into your coat closet.”
“Which one?” I tease.
She laughs. “Your house is wild.”
“Our house.” I kiss her hair. “Claudio, take a breath.” I keep Maddie under my arm as she looks at me uncertainly. Leaning to her ear, I whisper, “My brother can be a little on the dramatic side.”
“I’m not being dramatic! The Ferrars want a meeting. Tonight! I don’t know if we can put it off.” He starts to pace a little path back and forth on the marble floor. It’s a trait he’s inherited from our father. That man could wear through a rug with the pacing he used to do.
I wave away his worry. “Of course we can put it off. Besides, I’m busy this evening. So are you.”
“Busy? Busy? I’ve been calling and texting and–shit–sending smoke signals, and you’ve been ignoring me, and now you’re going to ignore the people who want to hurt us?” He runs a hand through his dark blond hair. “I can’t take this sort of pressure. Dad knew I was just supposed to be a fun-loving drunk, not the one having to deal with all the business stuff or the weird inter-family squabbling. I’m not built like you.” He sighs. “I’m scared, Ren. What if they come for you?”
“Then I’ll answer. With fury and blood. No one comes for me and lives. Maybe they don’t know that fact yet, but I’ll be happy to teach it to them.”
“That sounds like a war. I can’t do war, okay? I’m not built for it. And I’ll lay down my life for you. You know that. But I’d rather not. If that’s an option, yep, I’d totally rather not have to do that.”
I take mercy on him and gentle my tone. “I’ll sort it all out. In the meantime, I’d like you to meet Maddie Kelsey, my fiancée.”
“Come again?” His eyes bug out a little as he stares at her.
I don’t like him looking at her, but I remind myself he’s my brother and push that jealous feeling aside. “We’re engaged. The ceremony is tonight. Antony has already been making preparations.”
“Is that why there’s a wedding cake in the kitchen? I thought … I thought maybe I was hallucinating from the stress. I mean, someone is in the back yard by the pool putting out white flowers and stuff, but I thought maybe they were funeral flowers? I … I have no idea what’s going on.”
“Look.” Maddie steps forward, then kneels and opens her box of kittens. “These will make you feel better. They’re warm and soft and sweet. Come and pet them.” She looks up at him. “Come on, don’t be shy.”
Claudio gives me a confused look but does as she says, kneeling and looking into the box. “Look at the big orange one.”
“Isn’t he just the cutest?” Maddie smiles big as she gently grabs the kitten and hands him to Claudio. She leans closer to my brother. “I don’t really know what’s going on. I sort of never do–it’s kind of one of my essential traits, my friend Caroline would say–but I promise kittens can make everything better.”