Page 71 of Caruso

“To visit a friend.”

“Mine or yours?”

I admire her perception because we all know Taylor doesn’t have any friends. She’s only had one in her life—had being the operative word.

“I believe we have located your friend Jason.”

I drop the bomb, and it has the desired effect.

“Jason!” She is shocked, and her voice trembles as she whispers, “Are you sure it’s him?”

“No, which is why you are here, to identify him.”

I’m shocked when her hand reaches out and grasps my arm as she gulps, “Is he dead?”

“Not yet.”

I’m not sure why I said that; he is very much living and breathing, and I put it down as a mere slip of an unguarded tongue.

“Yet? Is he being held hostage, even a prisoner?”

“In a way.”

I chuckle, and Taylor’s voice rises.

“For fuck’s sake, Tommaso, tell me and stop messing with my mind.”

The air stills in the car as I turn my head slowly, her hand dropping from my arm as she slides further away from me.

“What did you say?”

The words come out dark, threatening even, and my eyes flash as I stare into hers with a hard expression, my jaw tight and furious.

“I’m sorry.” She swallows hard. “I didn’t mean to snap; it’s just, well, a lot, you know.”

“Snap?” I lean closer, pinning her to her seat with an angry frown. “It wasn’t your request, it was the fact you raised your voice in anger and lost control.”

“I don’t understand.”

She is trying so hard to remain defiant, but I can tell I intimidate her. It’s what I’m good at, giving me a certain satisfaction as she cowers in the corner.

“Do not reveal any weakness at any time in public. You speak as if you have that right, and people will listen. When you raise your voice, it reveals that you have lost control and gives your enemies an insight into how to bring you down. Don’t do it again.”

She blinks and stares at me with astonishment. Her mouth drops, and she swallows hard. I turn away because the temptation is strong to take her into my arms and punish her in a far crueler way. Taylor would be the perfect submissive for me because it would be against everything she has styled herself into so far.

She is strong, powerful even, in many ways, but there is a yearning inside her for someone else to take charge. To take her problems away and make her decisions for her. She will view that as a weakness, but it will be her strength. If only we had the time for that, it might be an interesting project.

Instead, I return my attention to my phone, leaving her to wonder what the hell she has gotten into, and as the car heads for the Palazzo, I’m almost regretting bringing her here.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Taylor

Tommaso takes my breath away, and not in a good way. He makes me question everything I have worked so hard for. Around him, I am weak, defenseless and tongue-tied. He gives me no assurances—hell, I don’t even think he likes me.

Why does that turn me on so much?

Three brothers with three very different personalities who all appeal to me in different ways. Two can’t keep their hands off me; one can’t bear to touch me at all.