Protected By the Monster

“Don’t worry,” he said. “We’re not going back to that safe house.”

“What?” I asked, head cocked and confused.

“Too small,” he said. “Not enough space for the three of us. And besides, now we know the Jalisco are serious about you, serious enough to go after your family. So we’re going to stay with the boss.”

“The… boss?” I blinked in confusion.

“Don Leone’s place,” he said. “Safest house in the whole damn city. So go make sure your mom’s on her best behavior.”

“I can’t promise that,” I said.

“Fair enough.” He smiled a little. “You’re about to get a big upgrade, you know that?”

“Sure,” I said, my voice a soft whisper. “Great, just what I wanted.”

He laughed and walked toward me. I looked up at him and felt so tired, so, so heavy and exhausted. I wanted to fall over and pass out right there in the kitchen, but I held myself together as he pushed me back up against the counter and looked into my eyes.

“I’m going to keep you safe,” he said. “I promise. I’ll keep you safe, and your mother, even if she doesn’t want my help.”

“I know,” I said. “It’s stupid and crazy but I believe you.”

“Good.” He leaned down, kissed my cheek. I felt a spike of fear and need rush through me. “You’re starting to learn that.”

He slid a hand through my hair, gentle at first, then gripped hard and kissed my lips.

I groaned into that kiss, wild with lust and crazy on his lips. I returned it, let his tongue glide against mine, took his taste between my lips. It was heaven and hell and I knew I was losing something every time he touched me, but I also knew I couldn’t stop myself, even if I wanted to.

I broke off the kiss and shook my head, pushing him away.

He chuckled, low and throaty.

“Go make sure your mom’s getting packed,” he said. “We’re leaving in five.”

“Yeah, sure,” I said. “Just... give me a minute.”

He left the kitchen again and I stood there alone, staring at the floor, my body a mess of conflicting needs and emotions.

But one thing remained true, one thing pulsed solid and real.

When Luca touched me, my whole world ignited.

I hated it, loathed myself for it, but god, I couldn’t deny it.

And soon it was going to get me into trouble.15ClairMom sat in the back seat and didn’t speak as Luca drove back into the city proper, away from the little suburb I used to think of as home, but now seemed too small and too fake to be anything but a memory. He stopped at the safe house, let me run inside to get my stuff, then he drove us over to Don Leone’s place. Roberto was waiting outside to usher us inside, looking around the block like we might get ambushed at any moment.

“There are rules here in this house,” Roberto said as he stood in the ornate entryway. A chandelier hung above our heads, glittering cut crystal, diamonds and glass, sending tiny rainbows all over the marble floor.

“I’m sure there are,” Mom grumbled.

Roberto ignored her. “You stay in your wing,” he said. “You will each have a room. There is room service, if you are hungry. There is a game room, a lounge. You will not wander the hallways, you will not leave your designated area. Do you all understand?”

“Yes,” Luca said, his face serous. I nodded quickly, and Mom just crossed her arms and made an annoyed face.

“Good,” Roberto said. “Come.”

He led us upstairs, through a side door, down a short hallway, and through another door. I guessed we were somewhere in the center of the block, right in the middle of the great house.

The place was dizzying. Uncle Luciano clearly bought up a bunch of houses all in a row, maybe owned the entire block, and gutted their insides. He turned the block into one incredible mansion, which was probably way against code and very illegal, but he did it anyway. The place seemed like a twisting labyrinth, and I had no clue how someone could live in it full-time.

“This hall will be for you,” Roberto said. “Mrs. Riva, your room is here. Clair, you’re in the middle. And Luca, you’re at the far end. Lounge is through the red door, pick up your phone for anything you need, it will connect automatically.” He crossed his arms. “Any questions?”

Nobody spoke. I looked around the hall, at the plush carpet, the paintings on the walls, the hand-carved molding, and wondered if I would ever stay in a place so obscenely wealthy again in my life.

“Good,” Roberto said. “Have a nice stay.” He turned and left through the door, slamming it behind him.

The hallway was relatively long, maybe the length of two or three rowhomes, with several doors along its length. I turned to Luca, about to say something, but Mom didn’t wait and didn’t bother with pleasantries.