The Italian

by T L Swan

  My eyes widen as I listen to the upcoming events.

  Dear God.

  I feel the blood drain from my face. This cannot be happening.

  Lorenzo leans down and kisses my cheek. “Goodbye, Miss Olivia. I shall see you on your return.”

  I put my arms around his neck and squeeze him tight. “I’m so grateful that you’re helping us.”

  “It’s what family does.” He turns and takes Enrico into his arms. “I love you, my son. Be careful.”

  “I love you, too. Thank you,” Enrico says into his shoulder.

  We climb into a small boat that has a canopy over it. It’s nothing like what Enrico usually travels in, but of course, we’re trying to go unnoticed.

  I sit down on the bench chair, while Enrico starts the little engine.

  Lorenzo gives us a sad smile, and before we can decide against it, we head off into the ocean.

  33

  Olivia

  The drone of the airplane is the only background noise.

  I’m exhausted but I can’t sleep. Not after what we have been through for the last four days.

  We blew up a car and faked our own deaths.

  Enrico’s cousin from New York, Gabriel, has organized a string of strategic plane hopping all across the world as a way for us to escape being found. We are apparently now off the grid and on the last flight before we arrive at our final destination.

  This is the ninth plane we have flown on.

  I can’t even call Mum because we had to leave our phones in the car. Lorenzo assured me he would let her know that I’m okay. I just hope he didn’t forget. He wouldn’t. I’m sure he wouldn’t.

  “Olivia,” Enrico says softly. “You must be exhausted.”

  “I’m okay.” I smile softly. I’m really not, though. I just can’t get my head around the fact that we are now officially criminals.

  I’m pregnant and on the run, while my fiancé is wanted for cocaine dealing. He’s also in the mafia and, oh my God, this can’t be happening.

  What is this life?

  I mean, I know I wanted adventure, but this is totally out of control now.

  Enrico puts his strong arm around me. “Shh,” he whispers against my temple. “Ol-i-vi-a. It’s going to be okay.”

  I smile as I close my eyes. His voice is like a Xanax. It’s calming, deep, and exactly what I need to hear.

  “Go to sleep, bella, our baby needs you to rest.”

  I snuggle into his shoulder and close my eyes. With Enrico’s lips resting against my forehead, I will myself to sleep.

  I wake with a start as the engine stops, and I look around.

  Enrico is standing and gathering my things.

  I rub my eyes. “Are we there?”

  He smiles down at me. “Yes, my love. We are here.”

  “Oh.” I peer out the window and see unfamiliar landscape. “Where exactly is… here?”

  “The Caribbean.”

  I frown in surprise. Jeez.

  The stewardess opens the door, and we make our way out onto the stairs. A black car sits on the tarmac waiting for us. The driver is standing beside it.

  He’s wearing a dark suit, and he’s tall, handsome, with dark skin.

  He smiles and waves us over. “Hello, there,” he calls.

  Enrico bows his head.

  I look between them and try to hide my smile. Enrico is used to his staff being super formal around him.

  The man rushes to greet us. “My name is Bobby.” He shakes Enrico’s hand and then mine.

  “Hello.”

  “This is Bella, and I’m Rici.”

  “Yes, yes, I know who you are.” He laughs as he opens the car door.

  No, actually, you don’t.

  Once we’re all in the car, Bobby chats away happily as he drives. Enrico’s eyes float over to me and I smile. This is such a weird experience for us—having a chatty driver.

  After half an hour, Bobby pulls up at a dock by the ocean. “This way.” He smiles as he grabs my things. “The boat is waiting.”

  “Boat?” I frown over to Rici.

  “Last one.” He taps me on the ass. “I promise.” We board the flashy looking speedboat, and Enrico puts a life jacket on me before he carefully sits me down.

  I’m sure he thinks I’m three years old. Either that or that I’m just too exhausted to function. He could be onto something there.

  I’m damn right delirious.

  Bobby takes off fast. He crosses the waves at record speed, and I hold on for dear life. The boat bounces around, and my hair is flying loose everywhere.

  Enrico smirks, and I look around in wonder with a goofy grin plastered on my face.

  This is actually pretty cool.

  The sun is low over the water now, casting a beautiful shade of pink in the sky. I know there’s not long left of daylight.

  Eventually, Bobby begins to slow down, and I look up ahead to see white beaches, palm trees, and a huge white mansion that sits along on a small island. It has its own jetty and everything. Bobby slowly pulls up to it, settles the engine, and ties the boat in place.

  “Here we are. Your new home.” He looks up at the island in awe. “Perfect, isn’t she?”

  Hope blooms in my chest. This is our new home?

  Enrico stands and takes my hand. “Come, bella.”

  He leads me off the boat and down the ramp. The closer we get to the house, the more in awe I become.

  It’s like a plantation mansion, straight out of a movie set. It’s made of white weatherboards with a big balcony around the perimeter, and there is wicker furniture scattered everywhere.

  The pool is huge, and the gardens are manicured to perfection.

  Enrico leads me into the grand house, and I look around in awe again. The tiles on the floor are black and white. The trimmings are all timber, with huge potted palm trees all around. “Wow.”

  Enrico turns to Bobby. “Thank you.”

  Bobby nods with a huge smile. “The kitchen is stocked. The supplies you asked for are in the safe. I will be about two hundred meters away if you need me.” He passes over a card. “Here’s my number. Do you need anything else, sir?”

  “No,” Enrico replies.

  Bobby gives a polite nod before he leaves us alone.

  “This will do,” Enrico says.

  “You haven’t been here before?” I ask.

  “No. I bought it sight unseen when I took over two years ago. Just in case…”

  “Just in case you needed to hide.”

  He smirks as his eyes roam over the interior, and he turns his attention back to me. “You. Dinner. Shower. Bed. You’re exhausted.”

  I smile as the hot water streams over my face.

  I’m relaxed—so relaxed that I’m bordering on falling asleep. We’ve been here for three heavenly days, and I am officially in love with island life.

  I turn off the shower, get out, and wrap myself in a towel when I feel lips kiss my shoulder from behind.

  Hmm.

  Enrico pulls my hair around my neck and kisses me with an open mouth, and then he trails his tongue up to my jawline.

  My eyes close at the contact.

  We haven’t had sex for a week. It’s the longest we’ve gone without in our time together. With the worry and the travelling, I was so exhausted that I slept for two days straight when we got here. Time has gotten away from us.

  Enrico licks up my neck, and then he bites me sharply.

  His breathe quivers on the inhale, and I know what he wants.

  Me.

  His hands float up to my bare breasts, and he cups them in his hands. His open mouth rests on my neck, sending goosebumps scattering down my spine. He puts his lips to my ear. “I need to taste you.”

  My eyes close when he bites me again, this time with a little suction. My legs weaken beneath me.

  Oh, this man and the way commands my body to obey him. His touch is like nothing I’ve ever felt.

  No matter how many times we fu
ck, no matter how many ways he has me, it’s never enough. It’s never deep enough. He’s like a thirst I just can’t quench.

  He leads me out of the bathroom and lies me on the bed. He spreads my legs.

  He loves to look at me like this—laid out and wide open for him.

  His.

  He takes his cock in his hand as his gaze drops to my sex. He slowly begins to stroke himself as I smile up at him.

  “Hmm,” he moans. He reaches down to spread my lips open, revealing the soft pink flesh there. His strokes get harder; more urgent.

  One of the things Enrico loves about my body is my coloring. With pale skin and fair blonde hair, I’m so very different to him. His jerks take on an almost violent motion.

  I smile as I watch him in wonder. I know what he’s doing.

  He’s going to make himself come before we have sex so that he isn’t too rough with me.

  He leans down and holds my legs wide, and his thick tongue sweeps through my flesh. His eyes close and, unable to help it, he begins to stroke himself again. He really lets me have it. His tongue is lapping and sucking, and the more into it he gets, the harder he strokes himself.

  He’s eating me with all of his face as he loses control, and his whiskers are burning me.

  Oh God, this is Heaven.

  This man is Heaven.

  He bites my clitoris, and I jump.

  He rises over me with dark eyes and jerks himself over my face.

  “Ol-i-vi-a… open your mouth,” he commands.

  My back arches off the bed, and I open my mouth and cup his balls.

  He slides in deep, and with one deep suck, I feel his hot seed roll down my throat.

  He tips his head back and moans. He’s so fucking hot, I can’t stand it.

  His lip curls, his eyes darken, and I know for certain that only the very tip of his arousal has been tamed.

  I’m going to get it tonight, and I’m going to get it good.

  He continues to slowly pump me, and I smile around him. “What now?” I whisper.

  He bends and takes my face in his hands, dragging me closer to his.

  “You’ve been a very bad girl and you need to be punished.” He bites my bottom lip and stretches it out.

  “Yes,” I whimper.

  He picks me up and throws me onto my hands and knees. He slaps me hard on the ass. “Prepare to be fucked… hard.”

  I laugh out loud.

  I love this man.

  Enrico

  Olivia slowly climbs out of bed.

  “Where are you going?” I ask, my eyes flickering to the clock. It’s 2:44 a.m.

  “I’m just getting a drink. Be back soon.”

  “Do you want me to get it?”

  “No, I’m already up. Go back to sleep.” She walks away, and I lie for a moment before I get up and go to the bathroom.

  The moon is shining through the side of the curtain. I go over to readjust it, and I look out over the ocean. It’s a full moon tonight, and the blazing white light dances off the water.

  It’s breathtaking.

  I stare at it for a while, and then I see something moving in the back corner of the yard.

  I look down and see Maverick the property dog. He’s lying in a funny position on the grass. I stare at him and as my eyes adjust to the moonlight. I can see that he’s covered in blood. I think he’s been shot.

  Fuck.

  They’ve found us.

  34

  Enrico

  Adrenaline surges through my body. I rush to my bedside drawers to put a pair of jeans on. I take out two guns, and I tuck one in the back of my waistband.

  I walk over to the bedroom door and listen. I can’t hear Olivia. She should be coming back up the stairs by now. I hold the gun in front of me and make my way up the hall before I tiptoe down the stairs.

  The lights are off. It’s completely dark.

  I know for a fact that Olivia would have turned them on. She hates the dark.

  He’s got her already.

  My heart hammers hard inside my chest as I creep down the stairs.

  I hold the gun up to my chest, and I slink around the corner. The room is dark. I can’t see anything.

  What the fuck is going on?

  I walk out into the kitchen where the light is on and a glass of water sits on the bench.

  She’s been interrupted.

  I carefully go to the kitchen drawer and take out the sharpest carving knife I can find. I eye it, watching as the blade glistens in the moonlight.

  Adrenaline surges through me, and I look around. “Olivia?” I call. “Where are you, baby?”

  Silence…

  I continue to creep into the living room.

  “Olivia!” I call.

  Where the fuck are they?

  I clutch my gun with white-knuckle force. I move around another corner, and that’s when I see them in the dark.

  My eyes can’t focus properly, so I flick the light on.

  Olivia’s scared eyes hold mine. A gun is wedged against her neck. Lombardi is holding it tightly in his grip.

  I raise my gun and point it at his head. “Leave her out of this,” I growl. “Your gripe is with me.”

  Lombardi gives me a slow, sarcastic smile. “It is.” He jams the gun hard into Olivia’s neck, and she cries out.

  “Let her go!” I demand, clutching the gun.

  “I don’t think so.” He sneers. It makes me take a step forward. “You’re in my way.” He pulls Olivia’s hair and she screams out in pain. It only makes him smile darkly. “I need you gone, Enrico.”

  I readjust the grip on my gun. “Let her go.” I snarl. “Mark my words. You will die tonight, fucker.”

  “You’re the one who’s going to die.”

  Olivia’s eyes widen as she looks at something to the side of us.

  I glance over and see Jennifer and Diego standing behind the wall in the kitchen.

  They have their guns drawn. Jennifer points to outside and holds up three fingers.

  There are three more of them outside.

  Fuck.

  I take a step forward, and I take off the safety as I take aim. “What kind of coward kills a woman?”

  Lombardi lets out a low, evil laugh. “One that’s bringing a Ferrara out of hiding. It’s called bait, pretty boy.”

  “Sophia?” I sneer. “Why did you have to kill her? She had nothing to do with me.”

  “Oh, your whore? How sad.” He tsks. “Maybe if you’d done what I said she’d still be alive. You only have yourself to blame.” He presses the gun harder into Olivia’s neck, and she cries out again. “Put the gun down, Ferrara.”

  “And Sergio?”

  “Ah, my boy Sergio. I didn’t mean to kill him.” He shrugs. “Pity, that.”

  Contempt drips from me as I connect the dots. The puzzles finally fall into place. “Why are your drugs on my fucking yacht, Lombardi?” I snarl.

  He laughs out loud like a madman. “You don’t think I’m stupid enough to get them delivered to mine, do you?”

  I grip the gun impossibly tighter.

  “Perfect plan.” He smiles darkly. “Set you up, wait for you to fake your death, and then kill you both for real. The world already thinks you’re dead, Ferrara.” He presses the gun harder and Olivia whimpers. “How can I kill a dead man?”

  “Let her go,” I demand.

  “Put the gun down and I’ll think about it.”

  I know that if I don’t do as he asks, he’s going to shoot her. I also know that he’s got back up outside.

  Fuck.

  I can’t win this fight while standing here like this. I need to move it along.

  I bend and slowly put the gun down in front of me on the floor.

  “Get your hands up and kick it over to me,” he orders.

  I lift my hands and kick it toward him.

  A click sounds from the side as someone else takes aim.

  A gunshot rings out.

  One of Lombardi’s men
falls.

  I take this momentary distraction as a cue, and I rush them. I grab Lombardi’s gun and we struggle over it. It fires in the air. I hit him in the head hard, and his grip loosens. I push Olivia out of the way, and she falls to the floor.

  “Move!” I yell at her.

  The gun is held above his head as we fight over it.

  I punch him hard in the face again and again.

  I have never hated anyone as much as I hate this man.

  I hear another five rounds of gunfire from Jennifer and Diego as Lombardi and I struggle on the floor.

  I’m hit across the head with a vase from behind as another man attacks me. Olivia screams, and I momentarily lose focus at the sound of her pained voice.

  Lombardi gets up and runs.

  I roll onto my stomach and take aim at Lombardi. I fire off a single shot that hits him in the leg just as he disappears out of the door. Then I turn and shoot his other man who is moving over me. Once clear, I jump to my feet, pick Olivia up, and I look in the direction after Lombardi.

  Did I hit him? Did I get him?

  “Watch her,” I order Jennifer.

  Without another thought, I take chase and run out after Lombardi. I can see the trail of blood guiding me closer.

  Yes! I got him.

  The trail of blood disappears into the nearby forest. I reach around to the back of my pants to find the other gun is gone.

  Fuck.

  I only have the knife now.

  I take it out and clutch it tightly as I follow the trail of blood into the darkness.

  And then, without the moonlight to guide me, I lose his trail.

  I stand at the edge of the forest for a moment and I slowly walk in.

  I have no idea if he’s still armed. I know I took one gun from his grip, but I don’t know if he had anything else on him.

  The echoing of crickets and the noise of the waterfall in the distance are the only sounds.

  I step slowly through the dense foliage.

  I don’t have shoes on, and it’s difficult to walk on the uneven and sharp ground.

  My eyes scan the dense landscape. Tall trees block the moonlight. Out here, it’s nearly pitch-black.