Nine

 

 

Giovanni

Aria has been sleeping on and off the last few days. The sleeping pills, anti-anxiety meds, and painkillers Vivian left for her have helped tremendously to get her through the miscarriage and bruised ribs. I have been sleeping in the chaise lounge in the corner of the room because I just couldn’t bring myself leave her. I’m almost positive my neck has a permanent kink in it but leaving her to sleep somewhere more comfortable wasn’t an option. When Vivian informed Aria that she had miscarried, my heart broke for her. She can’t be more than twenty-one maybe twenty-two years old, but she has experienced more loss than any young woman should ever have to. Loss of her mom. Loss of her life when she was taken. Loss of her baby. Shit, probably loss of her sanity. I place a call to a psychiatrist who is willing to make house calls and I have her scheduled to come out next week.

The first twenty-four hours on the low dose of the anti-anxiety drugs had Aria freaking out when she was awake. I watched Vivian bring her down from her potential anxiety attack when she was here, so when one started I did what the doctor did and was shocked that it actually worked.

Aria asked for something to read so I had Johnny go to the store and pick her up an iPad. I installed all the book apps and set up her account with one of my credit cards. I’m not sure of the situation with Weston yet, but as far as I can tell, Aria doesn’t have any access to money. We haven’t talked about anything as I don’t want to overwhelm her with too much too soon. She’s been through enough as it is.

Knowing I just gave her a sleeping pill and it will keep her knocked out for at least a few hours, I shower and throw on a suit to check on the club. When I get to my office and begin going over the books, there’s a knock on my door. “Come in.”

Cecilia saunters in, her high heels clacking against the marble flooring. “Nice of you to join society again. Does that mean whatever situation you had going on in your room is taken care of?”

Not liking the fact that she’s referring to Aria as a situation, my voice takes on a harsher tone than intended. “My situation isn’t any concern of yours. Her name is Aria and until I get things figured out, she will be staying here.”

“In your room?”  Cecilia’s voice comes out in an annoying whine.

“Jealousy is not a good look on you.” I raise a brow silently ending this conversation.

“Fine. Your mother has invited us to dinner later in the week. Shall we ride there together?”

Shit. I received the text yesterday from my mom requesting we do a family dinner at her house. “I’m not sure if I’m going. Plan to drive yourself.” Cecilia huffs out in annoyance but doesn’t argue. “Close the door on your way out,” I say, dismissing her. She stomps out, slamming the door shut behind her.

A few minutes later, there’s another knock. This time it’s Rome. “Who peed in Cici’s cereal this morning?” Like most people who know Cecilia on a more personal level, Rome calls her by her nickname. I never gave into it, not wanting anything between us to ever get too personal. Rome has a seat in front of my desk laughing at his own joke.

“She’s pissed because I have a woman in my room and she hasn’t met her.”

“Can you blame her?” Rome chuckles.

“Who I have in my room isn’t anybody’s fucking business.”

“But that’s just it. You never have anyone in your room. And while you and Cici aren’t technically exclusive, you sure fuck her enough like you are a couple. But even then, you never let her in your room. You have something more going on with Aria?”

“There’s nothing going on between Cecilia and me besides fucking, and as far as Aria goes, she’s nothing to me.” But even as I say those words, I feel the lie deep within me. I’m not sure what Aria is to me. Hell, I don’t even know her. But saying she is nothing makes my chest ache. Something tells me, a woman like Aria could never be considered nothing. Fuuuck… I need to nip these thoughts in the bud.

“She was my payment from Weston Hightower.” I shrug nonchalantly.

“So, what? You own her?” Rome gives me a knowing smirk, which pisses me off.

“Are we done gossiping like fucking women? I’m assuming you’re in here to go over something business related.”

Rome throws his head back laughing then quickly sobers up. “Caesar and I have searched high and low for that pussy senator. It’s like he’s disappeared into thin air. Caesar had a couple of guys stake out his home and office, but nothing. I called his office and his secretary said he had to go out of town for business but wouldn’t tell me where he went. He never put his personal number on his file.”

“Motherfucker, I should have known his bitch-ass was going to run. I need to find out why he was holding Aria captive. Something’s not kosher. Weston could have hired any prostitute he wanted. Why would he hold her in a basement for almost a year with no intention of letting her go?”

“What the fuck?” Rome’s voice booms through the office. I have been so busy keeping an eye on Aria, I haven’t had time to get him and the other guys up to speed.

“According to Aria, nine months and counting.”

“How is she not freaking the fuck out?” Rome shakes his head.

“Vivian has her on some sleeping pills and is keeping her on the Xanax she’s been on. When she first got here, she was begging for drugs. Luckily it seems the worst of it is behind her.”

“What are you going to do with her once she’s feeling better?”

“She’s mine,” I blurt out, a myriad of emotions hitting me with those two spoken words. First, regret for saying them out loud. Then confusion for realizing how badly I want them to be true. Frustration at the fact I can’t force her to be mine. Anxiousness when it hits me that once she’s healed she’s going to leave. And lastly, determination, knowing I’m not going to let it happen.

“Giovanni… you can’t seriously be considering holding her captive.”

I dismiss his statement because that’s exactly what I will be doing if I try to keep her here and I’m not ready to deal with that reality. “Anything else I should know about?” I change the subject.

“That stripper you lent the money to…”

“Ashley?”

“Yeah. She’s a week late on her payment. Want me to pay her a visit?”

Saw that shit coming. “No, I’ll do it myself. I told Don I would handle it. Anything else?”

“Colby Mathers from Mathers, Inc. will be arriving tonight to check out the club.”

“Hmm. He owns the real estate development company in Florida. I wonder what he’s doing over in our neck of the woods. Call me when he gets here. I would like to handle his tour personally.”

“You got it, Boss.”

After checking on a few more memberships and replying to several emails, I go back upstairs to check on Aria. Seeing her still sleeping, I go to the kitchen and ask Maggie, my head chef, to make us both lunch and have it delivered. Then I go to the stock room where the playroom toys are kept and find what I need.

“Good afternoon,” I say calmly as Aria attempts to stretch her arms over her head, lightly flinching when only one arm is able to stretch fully. She squints and blinks a few times before frowning as she looks up at the handcuffs, one handcuff attached to her wrist and the other attached to the thick wooden headboard.

“Good afternoon? What the fuck Giovanni! Why am I attached to the goddamned headboard?”

“Well since you are feeling better, I can’t take the chance of you running so I figured it was my best option to ensure you don’t try to run.” Aria glares at me then tries to rip the handcuffs through the wood. “Please stop before you hurt your wrist. That wood is a good two inches thick. You aren’t breaking it.”

“So, what… you kidnapped me from my kidnapper?” Her furious glare disappears, fear taking its place.

“I wouldn’t call it kidnapping. Weston owed me a shit ton of money. It’s obvious you are important to him, so I took you since he couldn’t pay up. Now you are safe. You should be thanking me.”

“Are you fucking serious!? I should be thanking you for saving me only to hold me captive? Do you even hear yourself? I’m not collateral. You can’t keep me here because he didn’t pay you!”

“Speaking of which, do you have any idea why he was keeping you in that basement?”

“No, all he said was once I turn twenty-two he would be getting rid of me.” Hmm… Interesting.

“How old are you?”

“I’ll be twenty-one April twenty-ninth.”

“All right. Well, I have my guys trying to find him. Until we figure out why he needs you so badly you will be safe here.”

Aria’s glare returns. “Un. Lock. Me.” The words come out of her mouth slowly and with such conviction, I have to hold back my grin. She’s cute as fuck when she’s mad. Like a pissed off cat with her claws out.

“Not happening.” I shrug. “For now, and until further notice you are mine. Once I know you won’t run, we can work on you getting more freedom.”

“I’m not yours, and can’t you just have one of your goons stand guard?” Not a bad idea. Why didn’t I think of that? Oh yeah… because the idea of Aria trussed up in handcuffs had my dick twitching.

“I’ll think about it.” She huffs out in annoyance and this time I can’t hold back my grin.

“I’m glad you find this all so funny. Could you possibly help me to the shower today? I feel so gross. And maybe if you could get me some clean sheets, I can change them. Oh wait! I’m locked up. You can change them,” she says dryly.

“I’ll have the housekeeper bring up the sheets and change them.” I text Donna, one of the housekeepers, and put in the request. “Why don’t I have one of the women help you shower and once you’re done, lunch should be here. I requested chicken noodle soup and deli sandwiches.”

“You sure you don’t want her to just give me a sponge bath right here in the bed? Then you can keep me locked up.” My dick twitches at her attitude but I mentally tell it to stand down. Now is not the time to be thinking with the head below.

Texting Cecilia, I ask her to send up Natalie. She’s just a little older than Aria and one of the sweetest women I know. After Celia asks why, I tell her to just do it. Her and I are going to need to have a conversation soon. Next I text Rome and tell him he needs to stand guard outside Aria’s room to ensure she doesn’t run.

“I’m going to unlock your cuffs so you can shower. Rome will be standing guard so it wouldn’t be wise to try to run.” Aria gives me another death glare mumbling what sounds like swear words under her breath. There’s a soft knock on the door and when I open it, Natalie is waiting timidly on the other side.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Valentino. How may I help you?”

“Natalie, thank you for coming up. My guest, Aria, is in pain but needs to shower. Would you be willing to help her?” I hear Aria grumble something about not being a guest, which causes me to chuckle, only for her to shoot daggers at me in return, which has me laughing harder. Natalie eyes me, confused as to what is happening. That makes two of us, sweetheart…

Natalie smiles warmly at Aria then says, “Absolutely, sir. My first date isn’t for a couple hours.”

Natalie and I walk over to the bed and after I unlatch the handcuffs—Natalie pretending like she isn’t seeing any of this—we each take one of Aria’s arms and slowly raise her until she’s on her feet. Aria tries to shake my hand off her arm, which only makes me hold on to her tighter.

“Do you think I could borrow another shirt and boxers?” she quietly asks, which reminds me I ordered her some clothes.

“I have some clothes for you. I wasn’t sure of your size so I had a couple different sizes delivered. I’ll place them in the bathroom. Just let me know which sizes fit best and I can order you more. I also had the housekeeper put some toiletries in the shower for you. Shaving cream, a razor, shampoo… If you prefer any certain brand just let me know and I’ll have her pick them up.”

Aria stares at me for a moment like she’s trying to figure out my motive. Then she shakes her head and mumbles out a “thanks.”

After both women are inside the bathroom, I head out to give them some space. Rome, who is guarding the door, gives me a curt nod as I walk downstairs. “Emilio, my usual.” The bartender goes about making me a whiskey neat and places it on the bar top with a napkin.

“Grazie.” Sitting at the bar, I sip my drink and scroll through emails and texts on my phone. Several men come and go. Some stop to say hello and others just nod. I spot Cecilia speaking to one of the members while tapping away on her iPad, most likely scheduling him in. Several women who work for me smile at me as they meet with the men they are scheduled to escort, either to bed or out somewhere.

One of the women sits on a gentleman’s lap in the common room. She is laughing at whatever he is saying and I recognize him immediately. He gave a hefty sum to one of the organizations Weston took part in. Now that I think about it, I remember seeing them at several dinners together.

I walk over and stop in front of them. “Kelly, would you mind giving Mr. Wentworth and me a moment?”

“Yes, Sir.” She gets off Phillip Wentworth’s lap and makes herself scarce.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Valentino?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt your time with Kelly. I’m hoping you can help me locate someone. I have some unfinished business with Senator Hightower but it seems we keep missing each other. It’s an urgent sensitive matter.”

Phillip frowns. “The last I heard, he was looking for his stepdaughter. He wasn’t sure when he would be returning. Apparently, he’s concerned because he hasn’t heard from her since she took off after her mom died.” So that’s what that fucker is saying…

“You wouldn’t happen to have a way to contact him, would you? I have his business number on file but it seems he didn’t leave me his personal one. Must have been an oversight on one of our parts.” I’ve spoken to Cecilia about this. I don’t give a shit how powerful the man is, she needs to get every damn number available in the future.

Pulling out his cellphone, he gives me the senator’s personal number and I program it into my phone. “I appreciate it. Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Yes, Kelly is amazing. It’s too bad my wife can’t be more like her.” It no longer shocks me when I hear comments like this. What I don’t understand is why when a man isn’t happy in his marriage, instead of trying harder to make it work, he would rather stray with new pussy. If that’s the case, why get married at all? Just stay single and fuck anyone you want.

I chuckle softly and nod. “Good, well I will let you get back to her. If you need anything, please let me know.”

“Will do.” I shake Phillip’s hand and then find Kelly to let her know she can rejoin him.

Closing the door to my office, I dial the senator’s number to see if he answers.

“Hello.”

“Senator, I’m so glad you answered.”

“Who is this?”

“I’m the man who has the woman you are supposedly out looking for.”

“Giovanni, how did you get this number?”

“That’s not of importance. What is important, however, is whether the rumors are true. Are you out searching for Aria?”

“N-no, I’m not. But it would be wise of you to return her to me.”

“Is that a threat I hear from the man who owes me a shit ton of money?” This guy can’t seriously be making threats…

“I’m not threatening you. But this is a family matter and it would be best if Aria is returned.” His words grate me.

“Family? How would the people of Nevada feel about how you treat your family? I’m not sure they would be too pleased to know you have been holding your dead wife’s daughter captive for almost a year while raping her.”

“What did that bitch tell you?” Weston screams, losing his cool. I ignore his question and the fact that he just called Aria a bitch. This fucker will get his in due time.

“What I want to know is why.”

“Why what?” he booms.

“Why have you been holding her captive? Why do you want her back so badly? What are you hiding, Senator?”

The phone line goes dead and I know I’ve hit a nerve. Senator Hightower is hiding something and I’m going to figure out what it is.

Me: Aria is no longer your family. If you come anywhere near her, I will personally end your life. She’s mine.

I’m not expecting him to answer but I know he got my message. Now I need to have Johnny start looking into Aria’s past and why Weston Hightower so desperately wants her in his possession until she’s twenty-two.