Page 9 of Don’t Break My Heart (Secrets of Ravens Hollow #3)

I take two limestone steps up to the main entry and gasp in awe when we enter the villa.

It’s unlike any place I’ve ever been, opulent and lavish, with rich fabrics, gleaming surfaces, and an air of extravagance I’ve never experienced.

Sunlight streams into the foyer, illuminating the lush, overflowing pots of white phalaenopsis orchids.

A light sea breeze, carrying the scent of salt, wafts through the air in a way that speaks of summer vacations of the rich and famous and makes me feel immediately out of place.

A young woman approaches me dressed in all black, a monogram over her chest that reads Moretti like this is a fucking hotel and she’s staff. “Mrs. Moretti, can I take your coat?” she asks, her voice super sweet and thick with her Italian accent.

I blink back at her, and when she keeps smiling at me, I shrug off my jacket and hand it to her. I’m not going to get used to this Mrs. Moretti bullshit. “Please call me Sloane.” I offer a tight smile .

She gives me a funny look and nods. “Anything you need, please be sure to let me know, Mrs. Moretti.” She wanders off back to wherever it was she came from with my coat.

I glance at Reef, and he smirks cheekily at the way she completely ignored my request. “You’re going to have to get used to it, wildcat. You’re a Moretti now.”

“Never,” I mutter under my breath.

“I’m going to check out the lower floor, you do a sweep of this one,” Onyx calls in Reef’s direction. The two of them move further into the villa, all businesslike.

Jagger and Cruz drop the last of our luggage in the front foyer. Cruz moves toward me, his arms outstretched as he pulls me into a tight hug. “Time to say goodbye, little sis.”

My heart races instantly. “What? No, you can’t go already.” My eyes bounce between the two of them.

Jagger offers a lopsided smile. “We’re just your drivers. Cruz and I have a plane to catch back home.”

I can feel my bottom lip drop, and I bite the inside of my mouth to stop the tears that threaten to fall. I miss my brothers so much, and I don’t want to be stuck in a strange country without them.

Cruz pulls me even closer, his tight hug nearly knocking the air out of my lungs. “Remember where you came from and who you are.”

I swallow the lump in my throat, knowing with every day I’m away from them all and Ravens Hollow, I forget more.

When I reluctantly pull back from him, Jagger is right there to take his place, hugging me just as tightly. “You’re bad to the bone, baby. Keep these Moretti boys on their toes and take no shit from anyone. Especially Orlando.” He whispers the last part just for me .

I give him a confident nod, knowing he’s right, even if I don’t feel badass right now. I have to dig deep and find something to get me through. “I’ll see you soon,” I say, trying to force a smile for him.

“That’s the attitude.” Jagger knocks my chin with his fist, and Cruz gives me a wave, then they’re out the door. Gone, leaving me again.

Orlando closes the door behind them and flicks the lock, his eyes fixed on me in a way I don’t like.

In an “I own you now” kind of way that turns my stomach.

I spin away from him. I can’t deal with the deep emotion in his eyes right now.

Who is he, anyway? I’m not sure I even know him at all, with all the lies and fucking secrets he’s been keeping from me since he locked me up on his island.

Holding onto the banister with my shaky hand, I take the foyer stairs down to a lavish living space with arched windows that look out over the breathtaking view of the ocean and the sheer cliff face this villa is perched on.

A stone fireplace sits pride of place in the center of the room, with overstocked bookcases off to each side.

Its resemblance to Orlando’s island home is obvious in a way that sends a shiver down my spine, and I already know this is where he was living before he came to America to get me.

Before he nearly died and his life was changed forever.

A fully equipped kitchen sits to the right, the glossy white of the cupboards and the cool smoothness of the ivory marble countertops the lap of luxury.

I run a finger over the surface, not a speck of dust in sight.

This place has been sitting here for years untouched, but it looks like a cleaning crew has been through in preparation for us to arrive here today.

What, does Orlando just snap his fingers and the minions come running in their little Moretti uniforms to cater to his every need?

Sure looks that way. Before arriving here, I knew his family was wealthy, but nothing could have prepared me for the extent of their fortune .

Romeo appears in the kitchen in front of me, and he watches me with curiosity.

Like he’s no longer sure how to approach me.

Like I’m a horse about to bolt. And he’s not wrong; even I don’t know what I’m about to do.

“You want me to show you to your room?” he asks, his voice devoid of its usual confidence.

“I have my own room?” I can’t help but ask, a little surprised. I guess I thought since I was Orlando’s wife and he has this “I own you” complex, I would be in with him.

Romeo smiles a little cheekily. “This place has seven bedrooms. You have your own room, doll face.” He wraps an arm around my waist and directs me out of the kitchen and back into the living space. Off to one side is a set of stairs, and we take them down another floor.

“This floor has all of our bedrooms on it, so none of us will ever be too far away. But yours is the best.” He takes me down a hallway and pushes open a set of double doors to reveal the most opulent bedroom I think I have ever seen.

One side of the room features a king-size bed, its ornate posts adorned with flowing, luxurious drapery.

Off to the other side is an open bathroom, the shower on full display of the bed.

Running down the center of the room looking out over the stunning view is a heated pool, the steam rising into the air.

“This room is insane,” I gasp in awe, moving further into it.

He brushes my hair to one side, his lips dropping to my neck. “A little escape. I’m not going to make any promises about your time here, Sloane. What we have to do isn’t going to be easy. But when it all gets to be too much, at least you will have this place to retreat to.”

I raise a brow, knowing he’s trying to be sweet but kind of not able to stand it.

It’s easier when we’re fighting. “What, and you’re hoping I’ll bring you with me?

I see your dirty mind at work, Romeo. You’re all sweet so I’ll spread my legs for you,” I snip back, just to get a rise.

I can’t deal with the mushy shit right now, not when I know I need to keep my wits about me.

He grips me tighter, his fingers pressing into my waist, and the other hand takes a handful of my hair as he forces me to stare into his eyes.

I see his pain, his frustration; he’s a man on the edge.

“I am sweet, doll face, I would do fucking anything for you.” He huffs out a pained breath then sucks in air again, and I know he’s in a huge amount of pain.

My hands move to his ribs, lightly brushing over them, like my touch alone can heal him.

“I tried to hide you from him. From this messed-up family. But here we are both trapped in this fucked-up situation. Least I can do is offer you a little light in the dark.” His face moves closer to mine, his lips dropping to my neck.

“Stop pushing me away with your smart mouth, let me take care of you.”

My breath catches, not able to deal with Romeo like this.

But as his lips press delicate kisses down my neck and clavicle, I can’t help but melt into him just for a second and pretend we’re back at home, but then my eyes pop open and I see the opulent room in front of me.

This place is just an expensive prison, another way they can all control me and use me to their advantage.

I take a shaky step back from him. “The only one who can take care of me now is me. I trusted you guys in the past and look where it got me.”

Just for a second his head drops, and I see the defeat in his eyes, then his confidence shifts and he straightens his shoulders.

“Things in this world are never as easy as they look. You have to put your trust in us, Sloane, we’re all you have.

I can’t speak for my brother, but you have to know that Onyx, Reef, and I will do everything we can to protect you and bring you back to Ravens Hollow and your life as soon as possible. ”

I stare deep into his soul, knowing it’s true. This man would do anything for me, but this world isn’t in his control, and we both know sometimes his hands are tied.

“His brother would as well.” Orlando’s voice comes from behind me, and I spin to find him watching us together, his shoulder leaning into the doorway like he’s comfortable and has been there a while. I’m sure he has, creeper.

Romeo doesn’t let go of me as his brother moves toward us.

His eyes run over me, lingering on the way Romeo holds me lovingly.

“Be ready to leave here at seven. Valentine wants to meet with us at The Voliera, one of our clubs. I hope your acting skills are good. In my home you can be whoever you desire, but out there, you’re Ava Moretti and you belong to me.

Every fucker in the country needs to see it.

It’s the only way I can keep you safe. What our papa said to you on the jet is no lie.

His enemies are now our enemies, and together we are stronger. ”

I glare back at him. This is what that fucking show was about in the car. He thinks me playing the part of his dutiful wife will protect me, or at least that’s the act he’s putting on now, but I know him better.