The Dictator (Banker 2)

She kissed me again as she felt my dick and come deep inside her. “Again.”

An hour later, our fucking finished.

I lay in bed ready to go to sleep, and she got up. She pulled on the robe she’d been wearing and covered herself up. She picked up her panties and tossed them on my pillow. “A gift for you.”

I grinned. “Thank you.”

“No, thank you.” She leaned over me and kissed me on the mouth. “Good night.”

“Night.” I was surprised she didn’t try to sleep with me anymore. Seemed like she’d given up on it.

When she reached the door, she turned around. “Do you have any plans tomorrow?”

I had a packed schedule, from morning to night. “Why?”

“I was wondering if we could go shopping for the baby.”

“I can pay someone to do that.”

She shook her head slightly. “I want to do that, Cato. So, are you free?”

“Not tomorrow. I’m going to be in Florence all day.”

Like that meant something to her, she nodded slowly. “How about the next day?”

“I think I can take the afternoon off.”

“Good.” She smiled. “We’ll do it then.”

“Alright.”

She lingered by the door, staring at me for several seconds.

“What?”

She suddenly turned away. “Nothing. Sleep well.”

17

Siena

Now was my best chance.

Cato would be in Florence all day.

He would probably be too busy to intervene when his staff told him Giovanni was missing.

The next morning, I woke up early, shoved the kitchen twine I’d found in the pantry into my pocket, and pressed my ear against my door. I listened for all the noises, waiting for an indication Cato had left. Thirty minutes later, I heard him go downstairs and exchange a few words with one of his guys. Then he left.

I knew Giovanni had already made breakfast, so I hoped I wasn’t too late. He might have already left for the store.

I tiptoed into the kitchen and saw him standing over the sink, washing all the dishes and pans he’d used to prepare breakfast for Cato that morning. As careful as I could, I silently moved across the tile and grabbed all the car keys hanging by the door. Then I stepped into the garage and saw five cars tucked away.

Four of them were fancy cars, Bugattis and Ferraris.

One was a Volkswagen.

That had to belong to Giovanni.

I clicked the button and opened the trunk. Then I cracked the door and hung up the keys before I snuck back into the garage. The trunk was wide open, so I lay down then took a deep breath. Once I shut that trunk, I would be stuck in there until Giovanni opened it. If he didn’t go to the store that morning, I could be in there for a few days. Thankfully, there were a few water bottles in there with me. I steeled my nerves and shut the trunk.

I texted Landon. We’re going shopping for the baby tomorrow. Do you want to come with us?

Then I waited.

An hour later, Giovanni started the engine and pulled out of the garage.

This was really happening.

Now there was no turning back. I couldn’t change my mind because it was obvious what my intentions were. Giovanni would tell Cato he’d discovered me in his trunk, and there was no excuse I could give that would justify my behavior.

I hoped this plan worked, but a part of me hoped it didn’t.

Leaving Cato was harder than I thought.

I said goodbye to him in the best way I could, by going into his room and having a passionate night. It was slow, tender, and so good. I wanted to treasure him one last time before he moved on to someone else, but it just made me want to leave less. It destroyed my resolve and made me weak.

I knew I would miss him.

This was the right thing for the baby and me, but I would still miss that man deeply. A part of me hoped I would have a son who looked just like him, so I could look into his face and see Cato every day. I knew I would never find a man I felt so passionate about, not after being with Cato. Maybe I would fall in love someday, but Cato would always be the man I wondered about.

It was a bumpy ride to the store, and I tried not to move to attract Giovanni’s attention. Thirty minutes later, the car slowed and then parked. The engine was turned off, and then everything was still.

I wanted to text Landon, but since my phone was bugged, I couldn’t.

I just had to keep waiting.

Thirty minutes later, I heard footsteps approach the trunk. A beep sounded from the pressing a button, and then the trunk opened. Giovanni didn’t notice me right away because he’d turned back to the cart to begin unloading.

I jumped out of the trunk as quickly as I could before he could shut it again.