Page 12

11

MIRABELLA

I t’s unseasonably warm in Malta for the end of February, which helped make it easy to decide to come here. The sky is cloudless, the water perfectly picturesque as the turquoise water laps on the shore of the beach.

My toes are in the sand as I sip on a cocktail, trying to clear my mind. Of course it’s difficult to do when all I can think about is the envelope in my beach bag. The one I found in my mailbox yesterday morning. The stupid task my uncle wants me to do. I doubt it’s even anything important. Just a test to see if I will follow his orders.

I know it’s stupid to do it. To play into his game. But if he really meant that threat about Aria, I have no other choice. I can’t let anything happen to her. I will risk my own life a thousand times to guarantee her safety.

I look at my phone and see it’s nearly three. I pull my cover-up on and grab my towel and bag and head up to the hotel. My nerves are getting the best of me. And I don’t know why. My parents raised me better than this. Ever since I found out the truth on my thirteenth birthday, since I got a knife as a present, I learned the rules of this game. Not to show weakness, not to let on if you are scared, keep a straight face and act normal.

I take a deep breath as I slide my sandals on and make my way to the waterfront bar. It sits cliffside, just above the beach, overlooking the blue of the Mediterranean. White curtains blow in the arched doorways that separate the bar from the outdoor lounge area. At exactly three o’clock, I walk past the bar, dropping the envelope at the designated seat. I grip my beach bag hard with both hands to keep them from visibly shaking as I walk through the garden area and into the lobby of the hotel. I walk briskly as I make my way to the elevator. I press the button a few times as I feel eyes on my back. Finally the door opens and I slip inside, pressing the button to my floor. Once the doors close, I lean back against the wall, my breathing uneven as I think about what I just did. Either it was a test or I just made it known that I work for the Renzetti family.

* * *

I sat on my deck for hours until I watched the sun set below the fathomless sea. I tried to shut my mind off multiple times but I couldn’t. Not even after talking to Aria and confirming she was safe. I don’t know why I thought something would have happened to her. Giancarlo and Dante wouldn’t be stupid enough to make a move against me immediately. I know how they work. They are calculating. They would retaliate against me when I least expect it. But they shouldn’t be doing it, not after I did what they asked.

Part of me wonders if I should have stuck around and waited to see if someone picked up that envelope. And who the hell picked it up.

I know the only way I am going to be able to shut off my brain is alcohol. I know I shouldn’t drown my anxiety but I am on vacation. I am here to let loose. And there is no harm in getting drunk alone in my room.

I dial up room service and ask for two bottles of wine to be delivered. I rarely drink wine, only during a nice dinner or special occasion. Yes, it’s strange for an Italian woman to not enjoy wine but ever since the four years I lived in Dublin, I’ve only had a taste for whiskey.

A knock hits my door, followed by a man saying room service. I tie my silk robe I brought with me around my body. For some reason, the cool, smooth fabric has always brought me comfort. I pad over to the door and open it, expecting to find a hotel employee. But another man stands there, a bottle of whiskey in his hands.

“Kilian.”

The memory hits out of nowhere as I stand and stare at the man who once owned my heart.

I grab a bottle of whiskey off the top shelf as a group of young men celebrate a business deal and want only the best. I snicker to myself at what they ordered, it may be good but it’s not the best. My hand brushes against the Redbreast fifteen year and the memories of Kilian hit like it was only yesterday. We spent four nights tangled in sheets before he had to return to London. It was some of the wildest, dirtiest, incredible sex I ever had. I wish I could have just one more night with him. But it’s been over three months since I’ve seen him. He said he would be back but I didn’t ask when. Mostly because I wasn’t sure if he was speaking the truth. What we had was just sex, nothing more. We didn’t exchange phone numbers. We didn’t talk about ourselves. We only got lost in each other’s bodies.

I shake the memory as I grab the whiskey next to that bottle and pour four drinks for the men. It’s a Friday night and packed in the pub. I’m running around like crazy as I pour drinks and serve tables since one of the waitresses called out. It’s just me and Sean working and we are doing our best to get everyone served.

I’m setting drinks down on a table when someone brushes behind me and grabs my ass. I want to turn around and say something to him but someone at the table asks me a question and I forget about it.

When I make my way back to the bar, Sean tells me someone is waiting for a drink at the end of the bar but he hasn’t been able to get to him. I nod and head over and nearly stop in my tracks when I see the three-piece suit on the man with slicked-back blond hair and piercing blue eyes.

He stares at me, a smirk creeping on the left side of his face. It sends a jolt of heat right to my core and I want nothing more than to kick everyone out of the bar and let him fuck me against it.

I grab the Redbreast from the top shelf and make my way over to him, picking two glasses up along the way.

“Am I buying you a drink?” he asks as I set the glasses down.

“Why wouldn’t you?” I tease.

He grins at me as he takes me in, his gaze traveling down my body. “Whatever it takes to get your clothes off.”

I blush at his words as I pour our drinks. Like usual, I slam the whole thing back while Kilian sips on his, his eyes never leaving mine.

I don’t talk to him most of the night. The bar getting busier every hour. But any time I walk to the end of the bar to pour him a drink, he finds a way to touch me. His fingers grazing mine as I pass him his glass. When I lean over the bar and reach past him to hand off drinks to customers behind him, his knuckles graze my hip or the curve of my breast. Twice he leaned into my ear and filled my head with very dirty thoughts sending lust straight between my legs. Eventually he leaves and whispers in my ear he hopes to see me soon. He bit my earlobe and my panties got wet.

When two o’clock finally rolls around, I work as fast as I can to get the bar shut down. Sean looks at me in confusion and I just tell him I’m tired and want to get home. We lock up the bar and I head toward Kilian’s house. I’m nervous it’s not what he meant. That he didn’t mean for me to come over but I bite back my nerves as I walk up the steps to his front door and ring the doorbell. He doesn’t answer right away and I’m worried I mixed up his signals.

I go to turn away but then I hear the door open. I turn slowly and find the man wrapped in a towel, water dripping down his chest. I follow the drops as they glide over his six-pack and hit the towel sitting dangerously low on his hips. I bite my lip hard.

“I didn’t think you would get here so quickly,” he says.

“I’ve never shut down a bar so fast.”

He chuckles then licks his bottom lip and I want nothing more than to suck that full lip into my mouth. Hell, I would take any part of him in my mouth right now.

“Well, I’m glad you moved quickly. Gives us more time.” He smirks.

“Time for what?” I whisper.

He doesn’t answer, just pulls me into the house so fast I trip over the lip of the doorway. He catches my fall and slams me against the door as he closes it. His lips on mine instantly as he kisses me roughly. I groan into his mouth as he bites onto my lip. My hands drop to his towel and pull it off, my desperate need to run my hands over every inch of him.

His mouth moves to my neck but I push him away as I drop to my knees.

“That’s the Bella I missed,” he groans as I grip his cock before taking him deep into my mouth.