"Maximo!" A deep voice rings through the room.
The man on top of me laughs, the movement causing a buzz along my skin. "Always ruining my fun, they are," he mutters before he's pulling away from me.
Air returns to my lungs and I don't waste time crawling away from the man. He only watches me and I can't help but to stare back. I grab the same fluffy pillow from earlier, hugging it to me.
"That didn't help you earlier, but maybe it'll work this time," he mutters, unable to hide the humor and sarcasm in his tone.
"Maximo, what are you doing in here? I'm pretty sure that Gio mentioned wanting you to stay away from the girl." The same deep voice from earlier speaks, his tone disinterested. I want to turn and find out who the man is, but I'm scared to look away from the Maximo man.
Maximo?
Why do I know that name?
It doesn't take long for me to connect the dots. Maximo Costa, brother to Giovanni and his second in command. The man is just as dangerous as his brother, if not more. Even I know of his reputation, and the fact that many say he's a hitman.
I shudder.
"And since when have you known me to listen to my brother, Vito?" Maximo drawls, rolling his eyes. His gaze turns back to me and he takes a step in my direction. I scoot away. "Especially when he's trying to keep such pretty treats from me."
"He's trying to keep his property alive," the other man deadpans, correcting Maximo. "Which won't happen if he lets you get your hands on her."
"So of course, he sent his most faithful guard dog to keep an eye on me," Maximo drawls. He pushes a hand through his dark hair before flicking a finger at me. "Well as you can see, the little mouse is still fully intact, so you can leave." He makes a shooing gesture with his hands.
My head starts to pound again and my skin buzzes at the thought of being left alone with Maximo again. I was saved this time, but what if he attempts to have his way with me again? I have a feeling that I won't get lucky twice.
"Gio actually needs you, which is why I came looking for you," comes the dry reply.
Relief washes over me, but I don't allow myself to lower my guard too much.
Maximo tosses his head back, letting out a grunt of disapproval. He shakes his head and stares in the direction of the door where the other man must still be. His lips are pressed into a thin line. He shoots something out in rapid fire Italian, moving his hands around in an abrupt and harsh gesture.
"How about you tell him to do that yourself and see what he thinks of it."
As if a switch has been flipped, the grin returns to Maximo’s lips and he lets out a loud chuckle. "You're no fun, Bianchi."
"That's because you and I have different definitions of fun, Maximo. Which I'm sure Enzo would know something about." The man says the last part in a lower tone.
Maximo tilts his head to the side before shrugging his shoulders. “He isn't complaining."
I try to keep up with the conversation, but I'm more than a little bit lost.
None of it is important, since it seems this new man is going to get Maximo to leave, and that's the only thing that matters.
"Come, Maximo," the man says sharply, his voice a lot more serious this time.
Maximo's body tenses up and on reflex, so does my body. However, his attention is fully on the other man as his gaze hardens. His fingers flex and he stands up straighter, his shoulders tense. "I think you've forgotten who gives who the orders, Bianchi."
"I know who gives the orders and you aren't him, now let's go."
Somehow Maximo's body becomes even stiffer and I draw in a deep breath. His head inclines a bit before he turns to look at me. It feels like his brown eyes see right through me. "It seems we're going to have to finish this another time, Little Mouse," he finally says.
He pulls at his suit before he steps away from the bed. I track every one of his movements until my gaze drags to the door where the other man is, for the first time. He's broad and a little shorter than Maximo, and as he turns to look at me, I realize he is just as handsome. Though considerably less demanding than Maximo. His eyes are a bright emerald that are hard to miss even at the current distance. His strong shoulders are pulled back and from the tightness of his jaw, I know he means all business. His eyes flicker to Maximo as the man slides by him, their shoulders bumping.
When Maximo disappears, but the other man remains, I press my lips together.
Did he kick Maximo out just so he can take his place?
I wait with baited breath, expecting the man to say something, but instead his eyes only sweep over me before he's turning on his heels and leaving.
He slams the door shut.
And I listen as the lock clicks back into place.