I inhale a sharp breath, my legs feeling weak as my head swims.
Stop freaking out, this is better than him selling you to sex traffickers. What's the worst that he could have you doing in a club?
I quickly push the thought away, tangling my hands together and willing myself to be still while I wait for Enzo to return.
Suddenly, a hand wraps around my wrist, from behind, tight and rough. I freeze, my stomach dropping a moment before my heart goes ape shit. I suck in a deep breath, moving to turn my head.
"Don't move." His chilling voice brings me to a stop. Even though I've only heard it on one other occasion, I know exactly who it is.
Maximo.
The breakfast I ate with his brother threatens to make a reappearance.
"My, my, my, how quickly my brother abandoned you," he drawls. His breath ghosts over the side of my face. "He left you out here to wander all by yourself and yet he expects me to keep my distance, to stay away from you. How can I do that when you so obviously need me?"
Need him?
He has to be a psychopath to think I need him. In the one time he trapped me, it was clear the only thing I needed was to stay away from him.
"Nonetheless, if he comes out and finds me here with you, he'll probably throw a little pissy fit." He sounds irritated as his hand increases the pressure on my wrist before releasing. "It's okay though, I know this place even better than him, and I know exactly where we can hide out," he informs me as if it's good news. As if we're in this together.
I take a deep swallow, my skin feverish. "Don't-"
"No speaking, yet, mouse," he warns me, his voice dropping an octave. "You're going to keep your mouth shut and maybe if you're good, I'll even give you a reward."
The room spins and every hair on my arms stand up.
His grip on my wrist moves to my hip, the opposite hand joining in. "Careful there," he says and I can't miss the amusement in his tone. "We don't need you falling and cracking your pretty head on this floor. I know from experience that it's a bitch to get all the blood cleaned up," he informs me. And then he's spinning me around and I'm forced to look at him.
He's gorgeous and maybe that's the worst thing about this.
There's a reason they always remind you the devil was beautiful.
His brown eyes are wicked and way too bright for the darkness of this man. Stubble lines his jaws, thicker than Vito's and something about it makes him look even rougher. His plump lips are pulled into a sick grin and as he watches me, it only grows. "Don't be afraid," he says before pressing a finger to my lips, "and remember to be quiet."
His finger drags across my lips, slow and sensual. My body betrays me as a shudder runs down my spine. Maximo lets out a low chuckle and then he's grabbing my wrist again and pulling me along. I know I should be fighting, yelling and screaming but what good will it do?
Despite his words about Gio wanting him to stay away, I know that his brother won't rescue me. Not when he's the one that captured me in the first place. So, as my stomach sinks further and further, I Iet Maximo pull and guide me.
I silently say a prayer, but I know it won't be answered, like the many others I've uttered over the last decade.
Maximo pushes a door open and it leads to a stairwell that he maneuvers up quickly, almost too fast for my legs to keep with pace.
He slams through another door and we walk into a corridor. He leads me down the hall and I stumble over my feet, unsure of where we're going, even though Maximo seems to be more than a little sure of himself. Another door slams open and then we're engulfed into more darkness as the door slams shut.
Suddenly, light takes over the room and I blink, taking in my new surroundings. We appear to be in some sort of stock room, liquor lining rows of shelves. Maximo turns and clicks the lock in place on the door, sealing my fate.
He turns around, his gaze meeting mine and I inhale a sharp breath before taking a step back.
Fuck, fuck, I should have yelled when I had the chance. I should have taken the chance of Giovanni stepping in, even if it would have possibly made this situation worse.
I take another step back and Maximo follows, his eyes full of delight. My back slams against something hard and there's a rattling noise before glass shatters as a bottle of liquor falls by my feet.
In the heels, my skin is exposed and I instantly feel a sting as the glass bites into my flesh.
"You can run, little mouse, but I'm going to catch you," Maximo says and it’s almost like he's daring me, a twinkle in his eyes.
I take the bait, trying to run, but he pushes me back up against the shelf before I can get even a step in. Pain explodes across my shoulder blades. More liquor falls to the ground and the sharp scent meets my nose.