Page 5 of He is Poison
“So what are you sohappy about?” Seth followed the smoke. He could use a cigarette himself, but hewas not about to ask Domenico for one. Seth wished he could take away his cigsand lock him in the trash can all over again.
“I’m simply happy to behonored with the task of escorting you home,” said Domenico with an accent soaristocratic that it didn’t fit his humble origins.
Seth took a deep breathand tried not to imagine those lips around his cock. “You’re flying with me?”
The smoke lingeredaround Domenico’s lips, caressing them in the most sensual manner. “I won’tsleep for two days.”
“Why? You have tobabysit me?” Seth snorted and folded his arms across his chest. This was mostunsatisfying.
“That is my order.”
“What? Since when do Ineed a nanny? What the hell is this anyway? Did Father pay them or not?” Sethcouldn’t decide what was worse, knowing about Family matters ornotknowing anything.
Domenico’s ridiculouslyperfect mouth curved into a small smile as he extinguished the cigarette,already taking out another one. “It seems you weren’t worth all three million.They negotiated, and you’ve been exchanged for a third of that and one of theirmen.”
Seth pouted. He neededto find a flaw in Domenico to feel he was dealing with a human, not theembodiment of Italian style and his wet dream all in one. A missing buttonmaybe? He scrutinized Domenico’s suit again. Nothing. Not a fucking threadsticking out.
“Well, I hope he lost afinger as well.” He let his sour feelings soak into the words.
The lighter clickedagain. “A hand.”
Seth froze. “Good,” hechoked out, but couldn’t help feeling uneasy. His imagination strayed to thevision of Domenico dealing with the amputation himself. And it was kind of hot,which was even worse.
“He’ll probably die,which cancels the agreement.” Domenico shrugged and smiled at Seth as if hewere telling him about the highs and lows of a football match. “But don’tworry, I’ll keep you alive until we’re home.”
“I have a gun too, youknow.” Seth finally dared to look straight into Domenico’s eyes, so very brightin contrast to the pitch-black hair.
Domenico was watchinghim, completely relaxed. “Well, you didn’t make much use of it when the timecame.”
“There were five ofthem. I shot one,” he lied. “How did they even know where I live? I see Fatheronce a year at best.”
Domenico adjusted asuitcase between his legs with a soft sigh. “There was a leak, but don’t worry,it will be dealt with.”
Seth dreaded to ponderwhat that even meant, so he changed the subject. “Are you coming to the funeralas well?”
“Of course,” repliedDomenico, looking out the window. They were on their way to JFK airport.
“Do you have clothes forme?” Seth looked down at his tatty, cheap suit and cringed in shame. Fatherwouldn’t be happy if he arrived looking worse than someone like DomenicoAcerbi.
“You’ll change at theairport,” replied Domenico. They went quiet, and it seemed that Domenico hadfallen asleep, but the moment the car stopped at the terminal, he pushed thedoor open and left the car.
Seth nodded and exitedfrom the other side, almost forgetting his bag.Fuck. Making a fool ofhimself all the time hurt his pride just like the loss of a finger. He lookedaround to find Domenico, who was standing by a taxi sign, buttoning up hisperfectly fitting suit jacket. It was like watching a panther: beautiful,attentive, and deadly. Domenico put on his classy shades and frowned at thewind that pulled a few strands out of his ponytail.
Seth stared, butwatching only got him angry that he wasn’t as presentable, when he had all themeans to be. He couldn’t wait to change into something better. Without a word,he made his way to the terminal entrance and felt a glimmer of satisfactionwhen Domenico followed.
They walked briskly,aiming straight for the restrooms. Domenico entered first, heading for thesecond room where the stalls were. He came to a sudden halt and pressed thesuitcase into Seth’s chest. “Change.”
Seth frowned, because itsounded like an order, but went into the stall without another word. Ifeverything went smoothly, he could actually be asleep in a few hours. He wouldget a semi-proper meal on the plane and as much wine as he wanted.
The stall was narrow,but long, so he had enough space to move without bumping into everything aroundhim. Having closed the toilet, he placed the suitcase on top of it and lookedtoward the door, under which he could still see Domenico’s shoes on the tiles.He shook his head at the polished black leather.
Seth undressed as fastas possible and opened the suitcase. He couldn’t help but sigh at the sight ofthe dark fabric. It wasn’t just any old suit. It was black, with a matchingshirt. It was nice of his father to think of him even in such a stressful time.
A sharp snap made himlook back to the door, but there were no shoes to be seen. His breath hitchedwhen something bumped into the thin wall to his right, followed by the squeakof shoe soles rubbing over something smooth. He moved toward the left wall ofthe stall with a deep breath. It had to be the lack of proper sleep getting thebest of him because the noise died down. Putting on the clothes got him into astrange mood. On one hand, he felt more appropriately dressed, on the other,the black only reminded him of his mother’s death. He slowly looked out of thestall in just his pants and shirt.
There was a man by theurinal in the other room, but a brief glance at the restroom wasn’t enough tolocate Domenico. It brought his heart back to the galloping speed that onlyreminded him of the moment when he was ambushed by his abductors. Light-headedand sweating, he retreated toward the stall he was using, but just when he wasabout to go back in, a door bumped into him. Seth looked back, instantlyholding up an arm for instinctive protection, but his face flushed when hiseyes met Domenico’s.
“I told you to change,”said the panther, pulling off a thick rubber glove, with something wetglistening on the smooth black surface.