My eyes darted down to the wound on my arm, and Remo’s gaze followed. Brick after brick, I was tearing down a wall Remo had no intention of lowering.
Remo grabbed my arm and led me back toward the mansion. I didn’t say anything, didn’t even look his way. I knew when to retreat, knew when to give in, because this battle had only just begun.
The second I was alone in my room, I headed into the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face to clear my head. Looking up, I cringed at the state of my lips. Red and swollen.
I could still feel Remo’s touch, could still taste him. How could I have let that happen? I should have pushed him away, but I didn’t. Remo had stopped. Not only had I allowed him to steal my first kiss, I’d enjoyed it in a twisted, all-consuming way.
I walked back into the bedroom and dropped down on the bed, staring up at the dark canopy. Something about Remo overwhelmed me. He had a way of drawing me in. I lifted my arm to stare at my wound. It still felt tender but seemed to be healing. I was glad for its presence; it had not only allowed me a glimpse behind Remo’s cruel mask, it also served as a reminder of what he was: a monster. One kiss didn’t change that. I couldn’t let his manipulation get to me. Remo was Capo. He knew how to make people act how he wanted them to act.
I covered my face with my palms, taking deep, calming breaths. I wished I could talk to Samuel, see his face, be in his arms. Without him, I felt lost. He’d figure something out. My stomach constricted thinking of my brother. If Samuel knew I had allowed Remo to kiss me, hadn’t raised even a finger against him to fight him off, what would my brother think of me then? And what about Danilo? He was my fiancé. That kiss had been promised to him.
Samuel remained at the forefront of my mind. He was the person I really cared about. And my family. God, my family. I wished they’d never find out about the kiss, but I had a feeling Remo would tell them all about it.
REMO
A fucking kiss when I wanted so much more. But kissing Serafina had been like the first hit off a crack pipe. It got you addicted from the very first taste. I wanted to kiss her again, wanted to steal every piece of her innocence.
The sound of steps made me look up. Nino was headed my way and sank down on the sofa across from me. He assessed me in that analyzing way he always had.
“What happened?”
“Got a taste of Serafina.”
Nino nodded, his eyes narrowing in thought. “You kissed her?”
“Yes, but it won’t be the last taste I get of her.”
“How did she react?”
“She didn’t fight it if that’s what you’re asking,” I said quietly.
He frowned. “I didn’t come to talk to you about Serafina. It’s obviously a topic you won’t allow me to reason with you.”
“What do you want to talk to me about, then?”
“I think we should have a conversation with Adamo. Tomorrow is his day, so I want to make sure he’s on the same page as we are.”
I nodded. “It’s probably for the best. Where is he?”
Since he wasn’t playing his games, he could only be upstairs sulking or wanking off. Probably the latter considering he didn’t get any action. “I got something to sweeten the deal for him,” I said.
Nino raised his eyebrows. “Don’t tell me you got him a car?”
I grinned. “He’s turning fourteen so why not? I’m tired of him crashing my cars. Maybe he’ll treat his own possessions with more care.”
“The legal driving age is fifteen in Nevada.”
“And drugs and homicides are against the law. What’s your point?”
“He’ll get himself killed in one of our races,” Nino drawled. “Are you going to discuss the drug issue with him?”
“I will. Why don’t you get him? We’ll take him on a test drive and have a word with him.”
“Who’s going to watch over Kiara and Serafina? Savio went off to meet with Diego again.”
“I’ll call Fabiano while you find our little brother.”
Nino got up and disappeared, and I speed dialed Fabiano. “Remo, what do you need? I’m busy with that asshole Mason.”
“Make it quick. I need you here to watch Serafina and Kiara while Nino and I have a talk with Adamo.”
“About tomorrow, I assume,” Fabiano said. I could hear a man crying in the background.
“Yeah. Be here as quick as possible.”
“Fifteen minutes.” Fabiano hung up.
Upstairs I could hear a commotion. Adamo was stomping and Nino was speaking to him in a calm drawl.
I stood and moved into the entrance hall, grabbing the keys to Adamo’s first car. Nino appeared on the stairs, a disapproving look on his face. Adamo followed close behind him with a scowl on his own baby face. Nino stopped beside me, and I could see that he wasn’t impressed by Adamo’s antics, which was why he’d gone upstairs and I hadn’t. Losing my shit on him today wouldn’t help matters.