With that thought in my head, we were off. And all the while, the echoes of Alessandro’s cries could be heard down the halls. Wow, that was intense. For a split second, I doubted the wisdom of going, and I almost thought it would be best to wait for Luca. I could have easily returned the favour for the wonderful gift he had given me that morning.
I quickly blocked that thought out of my head as soon as I realised how ridiculous it sounded. I was mad at him for leaving me locked up in my tower without a word all day. I would soon show him who was boss!
Sneaking down the escape was easy and trouble free. It still had my heart pumping wildly.
“How are we going to get away from here undetected?” I didn’t think I would be able to last if I had to run very long in these high heels.
“Don’t worry. We have it covered. Carlos hired a mini-van and will take us wherever we need to go.”
My eyes widened. “Blimey, Rachael. That’s fantastic. I hope it’s not putting Carlos out in any way.”
She shook her head. “No, he said he was glad to help. He’s waiting with some of the others down by the lodge.”
“Excellent!” I was super-charged now.
It wasn’t long before we were outside in the cold night air, and boy did it hit me. I wasn’t as cold as I should have been, but I think I was running too much on adrenaline to care.
We shot across the field towards the lodge, and all the while I was laughing my head off. I felt like a teenager running away from home on a night out. My parents couldn’t keep me from doing it, and neither could Luca.
We ran for almost ten minutes before the lodge came into view. I could see in the distance that there was a little van and a few girls were already inside. Carlos immediately got out of the car the minute he saw us running towards him. “Miss Murphy, how lovely to see you this evening.”
“Carlos, I’m so happy to see you, my friend.” I gave him a big hug, and thought I saw him blush a little.
“You look stunning. You always do, but this evening it looks as though you’re letting your hair down a little, shall I say?”
“Yes, you could say that,” I giggled.
He stared at my mouth and squinted. “Is that a cut on your lip? It’s very faint, but I can definitely see something.”
I patted his back. “It’s nothing to worry about. One of them got a bit silly, but he was swiftly dealt with. All in all, I’ve been treated quite well.” Apart from being held prisoner in my own tower!
“I’m glad to hear it. I’m sorry that this has happened to you. It can’t have been very pleasant nonetheless.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s wasn’t. But, I’m sure at some point, we’ll be able to figure something out. Until then, I want to hit the town and get drunk. It’s been a long time coming.”
I could hear a few of the girls cheering in the van as the rest of us clambered in. “I’m really sorry this has happened, everyone. I know you’re all losing money because of this.”
“Don’t worry about us,” Samantha said. “We’ve been keeping ourselves entertained at the lodge. It’s been pretty cool actually.” She smirked.
I was suspicious now. “What’s been going on?”
“Where am I taking you, Clara?” Carlos shouted from the front.
“Club Med, please. I’ve always wanted to try that place,” I shouted back.
Carlos nodded. “Oh yes, and they do two-for-one for the ladies on Friday nights.”
“Excellent! All the more reason to go, then.” He smiled back at me and started the van up.
“Melinda’s been smooching with the gardener boy,” Samantha whispered.
“Really?” I looked over to Melinda, but I doubted very much she’d heard.
“What?” She caught me looking directly at her.
“Thomas.” That was all I said. I think it was all I needed to say to get the reaction I was after.
Soon, the smirk filled her face, causing me to giggle all the more.
“We’ve had a little bit of fun, yes.”
“A little bit!” Samantha snorted. “How about, Thomas, oh… Thomas, please… Thomas, fuck me like that… Yes, Thomas—right there!” Samantha saw the stunned expression on Melinda’s face and said, “Yes, that’s right. We’ve all heard you.”
Melinda’s face blushed a scarlet red. Even under the cover of darkness, it was plain to see.
“So what’s been happening with you and tall, dark, and handsome?” Looking across at Belinda, I could tell she was itching for the gossip. I think my smile gave me away… Especially since the minute she mentioned him, my mind went straight to that morning and Luca’s wonderful and talented tongue.
Belinda gasped. “You haven’t!”
“No, but nearly—if we hadn’t been interrupted this morning by Alessandro banging on the door.”
Samantha laughed. “I bet Alessandro’s banging something else right now. Or shall I say—someone else.” Everyone erupted in laughter as Samantha high-fived Rachael.
I looked at them all. “Do you really think they are?”
Melinda waved her hand. “Girl, she’s going to have to try and keep him entertained for a while. I’m sure she’ll demand he do something to her after the magnificent blow-job she’s just given to him.” Melinda winked, and they all giggled again.
I bit my lip. “I feel bad that she’s doing that.”
Melinda gave me a reproachful look. “Do you really think she’s hating every minute of it? Please! Have you seen Alessandro?”
I nodded with a smirk. “I actually tried flirting with him, but it didn’t work. I think Luca has made sure no man will ever flirt with me again.”
A few of them frowned. “What do you mean?” Samantha asked.
“He said once he had me, no other man could have me again. To be honest with you, I think it’s that way now. He’s going to flip about this. I know it.”
“That’s not good.” Belinda shook her head. “On the other hand, I could never envisage you taking any shit like that from anyone.”
I smiled as cheekily as I could. “Why do you think I’m here now?”
Belinda elbowed me. “Are you a glutton for punishment?”
I didn’t think before I blurted, “Hey, I’ll take any kind of punishment he wishes to dish out if it’s anything like it was this morning.”
Samantha’s eyes widened in delight. “That good, ha?”
I nodded, thinking what the hell. “Oh yes! I have never had an orgasm like it.”
“What did he do if you never had sex?” Huddling with all the girls, Samantha leaned in for my answer.
I leaned in myself to whisper. “Let’s just say he has a very talented tongue.”
We all giggled together just as Carlos pulled into Club Med. “I shall wait for you, Clara.”
I shook my head. “No, Carlos, you can’t. Go home and we will catch a cab back later.”
“It’s no trouble—”
I put my hand up and tapped his shoulder. “I insist.”
He smiled and nodded his head. “Well I hope you ladies have a wonderful evening.”
“Oh, we will,” I said as we clambered out of the van.
The music seemed to be getting louder by my third drink of the evening. We were all on the Cosmopolitans, considering it was two-for-one on cocktails night. It was rather busy, and there were a couple pieces of eye-candy I had spotted earlier when we walked in.
“Can I get you a drink?” asked Eye-Candy-Number-One.
I pointed to my filled glass. “I’m fine, but thank you.”
“I haven’t seen you in here before.” He leaned in a little bit more, so I could hear him. The body contact wasn’t intimidating. In fact, I was enjoying it—probably because I felt like I was sticking it to Luca more than anything else.
“I’ve never been in here before.”
He looked around before meeting my eyes again. “You’re with a group of girls. Some of them I recognise.”
“I’m sure you do,�
� I said smiling. “They told me about this place a while ago, and I’ve wanted to come here ever since.”
He ran a hand through his blond hair. “What’s been stopping you? You haven’t got one of those boyfriends who wants to keep you under lock and key, have you?”
I shook my head. “No, not at all. I’ve just been too busy. I work long hours and don’t really get any time off.”
Looking at me with his dark blue eyes, I began to wonder why I had kept myself locked up for so long. I was still young and should really commit to living a little.
“That’s a real shame. I know work can be a real bummer at times. You have to let your hair down every now and then.” He stroked my arm a little and smiled.
I smiled back, ignoring the fact that he was getting intimate. “That’s the reason why I’m here.”
“Clara!” Rachael called. “Come dance with me, sexy.”
I took the rest of my drink down and lowered myself off the barstool. “Excuse me for a moment,” I said to Eye-Candy-Number-One.
He shook his head. “No problem at all. Have fun.”
Rachael dragged me to the middle of the dance floor where we swayed our hips to the music. Before long, Rachael was rubbing up against me seductively, but I didn’t mind. She knew I wasn’t into women in that way, so I felt safe enough to go this far with her.
It looked as though Eye-Candy-Number-One was enjoying the show. I didn’t mind at all. In fact, it was turning me on a little to think he may be getting turned on by it. His penetrating eyes said it all.
“It’s nice to see you letting your hair down a little,” Rachael shouted. “You look fucking sexy in that dress.”
I laughed. “Thank you. You’re looking rather stunning yourself.” I gave her a wink and carried on with our dance.
It was about another five minutes later when I decided to take a breather and go back to ordering another drink. Eye-Candy Number-One was in deep conversation with Eye-Candy-Number-Two. “I got you another drink,” Eye-Candy-Number-One said.
“Thanks. What’s your name by the way?” So I can stop calling you “Eye-Candy-Number- One…”
Eye-Candy-Number-One pointed to himself first. “I’m Daniel, and this is Brett.”
Brett held out his hand. “Nice to meet you…”
“Clara.”
Brett pulled my hand up to his lips and kissed it. “What a beautiful name.”
“Thank you.” I fanned myself a little as the heat was setting in. The amount of body heat people could produce in one room amazed me.
“You’re hot; let me help you.” Daniel started blowing cool air on my chest, making me giggle loudly.
“Wow. You have the most adorable laugh.” Brett looked down at me smiling—or rather, he looked down at my cleavage, smiling. I didn’t know whether to feel flattered or pissed off by it. I wasn’t going to let it spoil my fun by any means, though.
“Fancy a dance?” I asked Daniel. Brett seemed a little too cocky and pervy for my liking.
“Would I ever!” Daniel led the way, leaving Brett alone with his drink.
Looking around, I found that some of the girls were dancing, while others were chatting and drinking. They all seemed like they were having fun—and attracting a lot of attention.
Daniel quickly had me in his arms, and I didn’t much care whether he did or not. I knew I wouldn’t go home with him or anything, but it was nice to stick it to Luca after being held hostage by him for nearly two days.
Feeling a little brave, I wiggled up against him as he allowed his hands to wander up and down my arms. He was feeling me rather sensually, and it would have been a turn-on if it had been Luca doing the wandering.
Just as I had that thought, my head instinctively snapped up to the door of the club. In came Luca with several of his hoodlums and looking like a bull about to charge. I thought I even saw smoke. The look became worse the minute he saw me gyrating my hips up and down on this stranger’s crotch. Boy was he mad! I had seen him look thunderous already, but this was magnified.
Without hesitation, he made a beeline for where I was dancing. He soon drew the attention from every person in the club, and it didn’t surprise me. He commanded any room the minute he stepped inside of it. He was certainly commanding this one.
Daniel must have been completely oblivious, though, which I soon realised when he started nibbling on my ear and breathing is hot breath on the back of my neck.
I saw Luca huff as the murderous look turned deadly. Oh shit. Daniel was in big trouble.
I was about to turn around and warn him, but the next minute Luca’s hand was around Daniel’s throat as he was leading him across the room and out towards one of the exit doors. What surprised me even more was when another one of the hoodlums grabbed Brett and led him out the same way. Why were they picking on him? He wasn’t even anywhere near me.
My mouth was agape as another one of his hoodlums had me in a vice-like grip as he tried leading me out of the club. “Oh, no you fucking don’t,” I spat. “Let go!”
Before I knew it, all of my girls were around me, trying to pry that beast from my arm. He was a brute, but he certainly could not compete against five of my girls combined.
“Get off of me, you wanker!” I was mad—mad as hell. How dare he push me around? I didn’t even know who he was.
The whole thing would have been comical if it wasn’t for how angry I felt. Belinda was on his back, riding him like a bull, Samantha had hold of one arm, and Melinda held the other as they tried yanking him away from me.
“You have to come with me.” His voice was stern and even a little desperate. He was yet another man who was afraid of Luca.
“I’m not going anywhere with you. Let go!”
Just then, Samantha decided to take a chunk out of the beast’s arm, causing pitiful yelp to leave his lips. Immediately, he let go, and I didn’t waste any time running. I was off, and so were the girls.
“That was fucking awesome!” Samantha shouted. “I so want to do that again.” Even with several men chasing us around the club, we all giggled our heads off. It was like a scene from Benny Hill.
Running up some stairs, we stopped before long when we found another man running up the other end towards us. Very quickly, we found a door and decided to run through it. Seeing some more stairs, we decided to climb back down. No sense in going up. I couldn’t understand why a lot of people in films decide to go onto the roof of a building to escape. How on earth could one escape from a roof? Once there, what chance of escape was normally left?
Once we were at the bottom, I gently pushed the door open to have a look through it. I could see we were at the back of the club. Not only that, but I could already spot two of the men in the distance. “We’re not going to make it out of this club unnoticed.” I shook my head from side to side in amused exasperation.
“I know,” Belinda began, “but isn’t it fun trying?” Everyone laughed again, and I could tell they were all getting a rise out of this.
“I haven’t had so much fun in ages,” piped Samantha.
“What do you want to do?” Belinda looked at me with a concerned expression. It was fun, but we knew the fun would end far too soon.
I thought for a moment. I knew I was heading for home more quickly than I could blink my eyes, but I was going to damn well make sure he knew I wasn’t going without a fight.
“I tell you what I want to do. In fact, I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. I’m going to walk over to the bar and finish my drink! Who’s with me?”
“Oh, hell yeah!” they all shouted.
“Come on, ladies. Let’s show them we can’t be pushed around.” I swung the door open as wide as I could. Then, as bold as brass, I walked over to the bar. The girls followed in hot pursuit. Before long, we were noticed by everyone.
Stepping up to the bar area, I very casually took a seat. Luca was back through the door and the look of thunder was still quite evident. I smiled and crossed my legs seductively as I picked
up my Cosmopolitan.
Luca pointed to the drink. “Don’t you dare fucking drink that!”
“I’ll do what I fucking well like, arsehole!” The whole room went dead, and even with the beating of music I could hear some gasps of shock.
Luca’s nostrils flared. “Don’t test me, Clara.”
“Or what, Mr. Belatoni? What could you possibly do to me in front of all these people?”
I was about to put the drink to my lips when Luca lunged and flung the thing from my hand. It went crashing to the floor, glass sprawling everywhere. “What did you go and do that for?”
“I told you not to drink it.”
I couldn’t believe he had just done that. “You’re not my father. You can’t tell me what to do! Barman, I’ll have another Cosmopolitan please.” I could feel a thousand set of eyes upon me, so I gazed around the room. Sure enough, just about the whole club was watching.
The barman looked over at Luca. The look was distinctly like a man seeking permission for his actions. I couldn’t believe it. The barman wasn’t going to serve me unless Luca specifically said he could. The power this man possessed was beyond ridiculous.
“Oh, I see. I can’t have a drink now unless the almighty Luca says so.” I glared at the barman, making him wince.
“Don’t look at him like that. He’s just doing his job.”
I laughed. “Oh, I’m sorry. I thought his job was to serve drinks. I want a Cosmopolitan, please.” Again, the barman looked across at Luca. Luca nodded his head and it was only then the barman made any kind of movement. Boy, what was wrong with people?
“What are you doing here?” Luca’s glare was meant to be intimidating, but Luca didn’t easily intimidate me. Half the time, I just wanted to smash his smug face in.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. High and Mighty. I didn’t realise I should be stuck at home waiting for you to turn up whenever you damn well pleased.”
A look of resignation crossed his face. “You’re angry with me.”
I straightened my posture. “Fucking too right I’m angry with you! Who do you think you are?”
Luca looked down for a moment. “Today was complicated.”
I laughed. “Okay—complicated. You know, there is a little contraption called a phone. You can call people on it and tell them how long you’re going to be, etcetera. Marvellous invention. A lot of people say it’s going to catch on one day.” I was rather shocked at myself to tell the truth. I had only known Luca for a couple of days, and there we were arguing like a married couple. It just got weirder and weirder.
LUCA (You Will Be Mine) (The Sicilian Mafia Series Book 1) Page 9