CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
LUCIANO
Dragging a reluctant Aya through the large, solid oak double doors of Soleil du Italia, I nearly choked on the smell of air freshener that curled the hairs in my nostrils. The marble floors were polished to shine, creating an echo with each heavy step I took. Passing the front desk, my stiff strides were purposeful as they carried me towards the luncheon area in the middle of the resort.
Soleil du Italia boasted a small winery, golf courses, pools, and luxury dining, but I ignored it all.
Because someone was going to fucking pay for making me go through this much trouble.
I glanced back at Aya’s pale, sunken cheeks with a sneer twisting my lips. Releasing her arm, I clenched and released my hands even as Marco appeared in my narrowed scope of view. Eyes were on us, curious and making no attempt to be subtle. Pin needles pierced my skin where attention bore into me, and my gaze flicked to my brother as he stood close to my woman.
My woman. My Aya. My blood set fire at the thought, and I whirled around to stalk towards a door. A clean, shiny, brass plaque was mounted, an elegant script informing people that beyond was women only.
Pushing open the barrier, I took a shallow breath before scanning the room. Women in grand day dresses were lounging in chairs, sitting around tables, and standing by the large picture windows to stare at the immaculately kept grounds. Narrowing on the one I wanted, I took in Christa’s alarmed expression so much like every other woman around her.
Deep brown eyes would’ve lured many, and they widened as I shuffled my way towards her. In those depths her mind worked, trying to figure out desperately what was going on.
Adrenaline surged through me with each stride, and my knuckles ached to connect with Christa’s pretty, doll like face. I couldn’t wait to hear her screams, and I gnashed my teeth when she hurried to stand. Holding her hands out, as if that’d stop me, she started to back up until I reached to tangle my fingers in her long, brown hair.
Christa’s pained cry of shock was cut off by my fist, and I grunted with the effort I exerted. Letting her crumple to the floor, I ignored the speckle of red on the ornamented carpet to shove my shoe into her broken cheek. Her groans and whimpers were loud amongst the fake, horrified gasps that sounded around me. Grinding her face into the floor, I relished the light crunching of her frail bones.
Carefully pulling out my gun, I aimed for Christa’s exposed calf before squeezing the trigger. Her scream was loud, gut wrenching, but it set my body alive as blood stained her nude stockings. No one moved; no one breathed; no one tried to stop me.
Because I’ll fucking kill them too.
The bang that rattled the room sent my heart racing, and I aimed for Christa’s left leg. Blood rushed in my ears, quelling only for the sound of her screams. Putting more weight on her head, I put a third bullet into her hip while her shrieks turned hoarse and choking.
Groaning at the metallic smell that enveloped me, I slowly lifted my foot to kick this bitch onto her front. Christa’s eyes were closed, face pale from loss of blood, and I crouched down to stare at the agony written across her delicate features.
My gun kissed her temple, firing one last bullet into her brain. Blood splattered onto my suit and shoes, and the sudden silence created a ringing in my ears. Standing up straight, I tucked my gun back into its holster to take a deep breath. The smell of Christa’s blood tainted the otherwise floral scent, and I held it in my lungs for a few seconds before letting it out in a gust.
“Luciano…” Marco’s call cleared some of the red haze that’d settled over my mind, and I twisted to look past all the stunned faces. He held Aya by the shoulders, and my eyes narrowed on the connection before I stalked over to her. Grabbing her wrist, I pulled her back out of the room while my brother hung back.
She struggled to keep up with my pace, and I made it halfway down the short hallway before tugging her in front of me. Her face was flushed, chest heaving and eyes wide under their dropped lids. Goosebumps coated her arms, and her fingers twitched under my grasp as she stared up at me through thick eyelashes.
Reaching to brush her pinked cheek, I pursed my lips together as a sharp throb seized my cock. Behind the safety of my dress pants my rod stirred, hardening as Aya’s expression only turned a deeper shade.
“Did you like watching that, mia Aya?” My hands were steady as they cupped her hot face, and Aya nodded wordlessly. Her response only fueled the desire that was slowly overtaking me, replacing the adrenaline of killing someone.
No- of protecting her. Protecting my Aya.
“Ucciderò ogni persona cercando di farti del male. Tutti sapranno che sei tuo. Anche Georgio non osava guardare nella tua direzione.” Aya’s wide eyes became watery even though she couldn’t understand me, and she didn’t step away when I crowded her against the marbled wall. “Mia Aya… my Aya… Non mi lasciare mai…”
It felt so uplifting to murmur those words, and Aya nodded shakily a second time before her small tears dripped onto my fingers. The droplets scorched my skin, but I didn’t brush them away. My mind started to churn slowly, and I rested my forehead against hers to breathe in her fine scent. Her smell alone was enough to relieve the tightness in my chest, and her fingers wrapped around my wrists.
She was the one I could give my all to. The one that would rather die than betray me. The one that needed me more than she needed air to breathe.
And I would obliterate anyone and everyone that tried to fuck with her.
“What do you want to do now, fratello?” Behind me, Marco’s question pulled me violently from the serenity I’d found. Straightening, I glanced over my shoulder as my brain worked. Without Christa, the law firm was a trip that could be put on hold. Indefinitely.
Staring down at Aya, I squeezed her face to draw her gasp into my ears. Sylvi can be left to his thoughts. For now.
“Meet me at the flat.” Grinding out the words, I took hold of Aya’s arm once again to start down the hallway. No security guards rushed past to see what I had done, and no one stopped me as I made my way through the lobby. The air was still, the smells stale, and I relished the feeling of anxiety that thrummed from the secretaries.
Aya scrambled into her seat once we reached my car, but she was too far away for my liking. Jumping into the driver’s seat, I stopped her shaking hands from pulling out her belt. Her big eyes searched mine for answers, and I pulled her across the center console and into my lap.
She fit so perfectly there, and my throat tightened as I jostled her between my legs. Taking her hands, I set them on the wheel before covering them with my own. Her back was stiff against my front, and I shoved the key into the ignition before she finally found her voice.
“I- I don’t… I’ve never driven… before.” Soft, tentative, Aya’s declaration hit me in the gut to send a grunt from my mouth. Putting the gear in drive, I stepped against the gas pedal to slowly roll out of my parking space. Peering out of the windshield over her head, I pressed my lips to her crown to steal a taste from her.
“We’ll be there soon.”