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“That's why I need you to stay here. Tell me if his new change of heart is genuine. Keep singing my praises. Make him see how important him being part of our family is.” He chuckles and snuffs out his cigar. “After all, you will be his step-mother one day.”
I slip a finger under my new choker, hoping to get some air.
I can't breathe. I'm suffocating.
Oh god, I'm dying.
I feel a hand pressing down on my back. “Before you get your hopes up, this is not a proposal. I need to know with utmost certainty that I can trust you before that happens.”
I somehow find my voice because I have no choice but to right now. This is survival. “You think you can't trust me?”
He flicks a hand in my direction. “Of course, I can trust you. You wouldn't be alive if I couldn't. Because if I couldn't trust you...there's no way I could love you as much as I do. Stop being so fucking sensitive. There's a reason I've never taken a wife before is all I'm saying.”
Yeah, because you killed Ricardo's mom and any other female that crosses you.
Hell, anyone that crosses you...period.
“And to answer your question,” he says. “I'm visiting with family in Italy.” He snarls. “Taking care of some old family business.”
I have no idea what he's talking about but the look on his face tells me not to question him further about it.
He skims the side of my breast and I try not to wince. “I won't be here for your birthday and I'm sorry about that. But I hope you like the jewelry I got you.”
“It's beautiful,” I lie. “Thank you.”
He pulls the straps to my tank top down and cups both my breasts while I fight back vomit. “You go
I close my eyes so he doesn't see the tears welling in them. I don't know if I can do this without drugs...but I have to.
I know he'll most likely give them to me if I ask but I promised Ricardo I wouldn't.
“Okay,” I choke out. I lower my tank top past my breasts. “Do as you wish, Bruno.”
I feel his hot breath on my nipples and the tremors start to take over.
I feel the shame and the dirtiness wash over me.
God, how I wish I was free from this prison.
“I'm sorry, Mr. DeLuca,” a voice interrupts on the intercom. “But your son is on the phone. I'm transferring it to your cell. He says it's important.”
I take a deep breath and my tears change to those of happiness.
Bruno makes a sound from somewhere deep in his throat before yanking his phone out of his pocket.
“What?” he grumbles.
I take the opportunity to slip my top back up.
“Is that one of your town cars in the parking lot of my apartment complex?” I hear Ricardo's voice ask.
Bruno shifts in his seat. “Yeah. Why? Am I in violation of some sort of parking code?” he spits out sarcastically.
Ricardo laughs but it doesn't sound sincere at all. It sounds downright sinister. “No, but you are violating what's mine.”
DeLuca looks confused and I'm sure my eyes bug out of my head.
Jesus Christ...he's going to get me killed.
“What?” DeLuca sneers.
“My mustang,” Ricardo says, his tone much lighter now. “Your car is blocking my baby. I'd say that's a pretty serious violation, Babbo.”
My chest spasms when reality sets in. Of course, he's referring to his mustang and not me...because I'll never be his.
DeLuca shakes his head in frustration. There's no doubt in my mind that Ricardo's attempt at a joke has thrown him off. “Why didn't you just tell the driver to move?”
“Well, I wanted to talk to you. I figured since you're here we could grab a bite to eat. Sit down and talk about the club and stuff.”
Bruno crinkles his brows and checks his watch. “Fuck.” He presses a button and the divider comes back down. “I can't. I'm going back to Italy. My pilot should be clearing for takeoff any minute.”
“That's a shame. Maybe when you get back. Have a safe flight,” Ricardo says before he hangs up.
Bruno mutters something about Mustang's being stupid under his breath before he looks at me. “I'm sorry, Bambina. I have to leave.”
I try to look sad but I can barely contain the smile on my face. “It's okay. I know you have to take care of business. When will I see you again?”
He kisses my forehead. “I'll be back the third week of August. So a little over three weeks. I know it's a long time but it's important I take care of this.” He kisses my hand. “I want to ensure our future together is the very best one.”
I couldn't care less what he has to take care of in Italy, I'm just happy he'll be gone for a few more weeks.
I have my freedom, even if it's only for a little while longer.
The car begins to move and I climb off his lap. I reach for the door handle but he pulls me back to him. “I love you, Lucia
Christ, it's like he can't get enough of saying that lately.
“I'll see you when you get back, mio amore.”
The car pulls around to the front of the complex but DeLuca yells at the driver so he pulls the car toward the back of the building.
I step out but his voice halts me. “You really like your new jewelry?”
“Of course.”
His gaze cuts right through me. “Then I expect you to never take it off. And by expect...I mean don't.”
It's only when I close the door and the car pulls away that I realize.
I'm not free at all.
My new jewelry is bugged. He wasn't joking about using me to spy on Ricardo.
It's also how he's going to be spying on me as well.
The next thought slams through me and I want to put my fist through a wall.
There's no doubt in my mind that if he bugged my jewelry, my phone is bugged too.
Which means I have no way of warning Ricardo about it.
My heart pulls when I realize that whatever was happening between us has officially ended.