Page 17 of Dark Breaker

He pauses. “You can’t stay with us.”

I laugh. “I know. I wasn’t planning to. I’ve made other arrangements.”

“Good,” he says. “Look, I have to go. Try not to torment Rosa too much before you’re wedding day, okay? She’s a good girl. I already told you what will happen to you if you ever hurt her. You remember, don’t you?”

My fingers tighten angrily around the phone. There’s nothing I hate more than being threatened. “Yes, I remember. I’m not the kind of guy who hurts women. Especially my wife.” At least not physically…

“Good, just wanted to make sure we were still on the same page,” he says. “By the way, I’ve already sent some men to Giovanni. We should have some sponsors to send your way before your candidate’s fundraiser. It’s two weeks from today, right?”

“It is,” I reply. “You’re coming?”

“Yes,” he replies. “I have to introduce you to the new sponsors, after all.”

I ask the next obvious question. “Are you going to bring Rosa?”

“Of course,” Massimo tells me. “You want to get to know your future wife before the wedding, remember?”

“Good,” I tell him. “That’s all then, bye.”

I hang up.

“Seriously though, why are you stalking me?” Rosa asks an instant later.

I shrug. “Maybe I’m just curious about you.”

“I’d actually prefer if you left me alone,” she says, turning her gaze back to the sea. “Don’t visit me on campus. Don’t stalk me aboard ferries.”

“Before our dubious wedding?” I ask.

“And after,” she replies. “Not that there will actually be a dubious wedding—and that’s a very appropriate word,dubious. Because I’ve never agreed to it. Despite what my brother and his master, Mr. Giovanni Amato, might tell you.”

I nod. “I suppose that’s actually good. I’m not sure we’re the best match.” I say that while staring at her lips in profile, and imagining how great they’d feel around my hard cock once again. My eyes drop to the open bodice of her leather jumpsuit, which reveal that tantalizing bit of cleavage, and I envision the same thing about her breasts. Though I’m not sure they’re big enough to properly fuck… not that it matters.

She turns to me, realizes where my eyes are at, and hastily zips up her jumpsuit. “What do you think you’re looking at?” Her tone is pointed, accusing.

Her attitude and continual defiance should anger me, but instead it’s kind of a turn on. No one ever stands up to me. Well, except maybe my father. But certainly no one else.

“I’m looking at your breasts,” I tell her honestly.

She huffs, shakes her head, then rolls her eyes.

“They’re very beautiful,” I blurt out, and instantly regret it.

“Oh thanks,” she says sarcastically. “Is that your idea of romance? Telling women they have beautiful breasts?”

“I mean, I know a lot of guys like women with big, huge breasts,” I continue, feeling like I’m digging myself into a hole, but I press on anyway. “But I like yours. They’re just right. Not too big, not too small. They fit your frame. Your personality.”

She gives me a strange look. Then: “That’s sweet, I think. In a very twisted, very confused way.” She chuckles, and it’s the cutest, most beautiful sound ever. I could almost see myself looking forward to that chuckle every day. Almost. “I guess it is your idea of romance after all. I’m still not marrying you, though.”

I shrug. “That’s fine. But I have a feeling you will. Whether we like it or not, we’re both going to be stuck with each other.”

I leave her on that note, and head to the opposite side of the ferry.

3

Rosa

When I return home I go straight to Massimo. He’s in the media room, watching some flick with Angela and Luciano.