Page 23 of Caruso

There will be four weeks’ paid leave per annum at the discretion of the Caruso organization.

I glance up and whisper in horror, “Is this a joke?”

“Am I laughing, Taylor?”

Matteo stares at me long and hard, causing me to swallow nervously.

“Where will I live?”

“Here in the penthouse, unless we head to my estate in the mountains or one of our other homes.”

“Other homes?”

“We have many avenues of business, Taylor. You will be required to travel with me.”

“As your um, housekeeper?”

I’m still not certain what my job role will be, and he shakes his head.

“No. I am your educator, and you are my pupil. To achieve that, you must always be with me.”

“All times.”

My mind is working fast. This job seems impossible.

“What are my duties?”

“Whatever I want them to be.”

He leans forward, and as our gazes connect, a shiver passes through me, and it’s not one of fear. He is a man of many layers, and right now he has peeled one back that interests me—a lot. The expression in his eyes right now is one of desire. The flame is burning bright, and I clench my thighs together as he whispers, “Earlier tonight you asked me to help with your virginity. I haven’t forgotten that, and yet it will be on my terms. I’m not the kind to take something of value on a whim. It will be given the respect it deserves. However, there is also the fear you hold inside you from the past. You are running from it, and I’m not okay with that. We will deal with thatfirst.”

“How?”

My mind is scrambled as he states facts and he growls, “We take you home for a visit.”

“We?”

“I’m bringing my brothers along for the ride.”

The blood on his brother’s hands earlier informs me of my stepfather’s fate, and a strange thrill passes through me. I have never had the courage to move past self-defense with him, but I’m guessing the Caruso brothers attack rather than receive. Offensive rather than defensive and I can’t help wondering when all of my wishes came true.

This is what I wanted. A stronger bully to stand up to the one who haunts my nightmares, and it appears that if you wait long enough, three come along at once.

I lift the pen and scrawl my signature on the line, printing my name and dating the signature as requested. I don’t hesitate. The offer is too good, and if it requires sacrificing my soul to three demons, I’m already living in hell, anyway.

Chapter Ten

Matteo

As soon as the last flourish of the pen left the page, I escorted Taylor back to her room. Despite the ache in my balls at the mere thought of educating her in the pleasures of the flesh, I am true to my word, and that begins once she is free of her past.

Nothing will come between us. I want her mind as well as her body. Soon she will only have room in her thoughts for me, and in order for that to happen, she must be free of her past.