Page 85 of Caruso

“We are on top of the world up here.” I laugh happily, and Tommaso’s fingers tighten on mine.

“Up here, we are merely tiny pinpricks on the landscape. Who we are, what we do, and any reputation we have earned, counts for nothing.”

Tommaso’s voice is husky, deep and wistful, and my heart flutters. I could listen to him all day long, and I edge a little closer. Loving the proximity to the one man who holds himself apart from the rest of them.

“It grounds us coming here. In Vegas, we are respected, feared and admired. Hated, coveted and envied. Here we are nothing. Nobody is around to impress or to intimidate. We can drop the facade and allow our minds to recharge. It’s a haven from themadness of the world where nature is the one in charge, to be respected and worshipped. Revealing how insignificant it all is when you are faced with nothing but your own thoughts.”

“It’s liberating.” I mean every word, and he nods, turning toward me, his eyes gleaming against the sunlight reflecting in them.

He reaches out and touches my face, almost with hesitation, which isn’t like him.

I surprise myself by resting my hand over his and whispering, “Thank you for bringing me here, for introducing me to Jason and for opening my eyes.”

“I wish I could say you are welcome, but I’m regretting my involvement.”

“Why?”

“Because you decided to leave.”

For some reason, the pain in his eyes is hard to bear, and I step a little closer, needing to be closer to him.

“Do you want to talk about it, Tomasso?”

“No.”

He understands my meaning and shuts me down.

“Why not?”

I really should guard my runaway mouth because he closes down almost immediately and snaps, “Because it has taken me a long time to file away the madness and I’m not prepared to revisit it.”

“How do you switch off from it?”

His eyes gleam, and I should be very afraid right now because his jaw hardens, and he pulls away, turning toward the view and flexing hisfist.

“I control others to keep my rage in check.”

“Others?”

I’m intrigued, and he nods. “Have you ever heard the term ‘dominant’ princess?”

“As in sexually?” I swallow hard.

“Yes.”

“We will speak about how you know that later, but yes, I like to dominate my sexual partners. It gives me control, a release if you like.”

He turns, and the steel set to his jaw is both frightening and an aphrodisiac.

“To control is to forget. It heals wounds that are weak.”

“Do you dominate one particular woman?”

I’m interested because, from what I have learned, the brothers mix things up and never revisit the same woman twice. Perhaps Tommaso has a woman stashed away somewhere on her knees, waiting for him to visit.

I’m almost amused at the thought, which must show because his eyes flash. “Is something amusing you?”

“No, it’s just I can picture some poor woman waiting for you while her knees grow weaker, wondering if you’ll arrive to put her out of her misery.”