by Sienna Grant
“Don’t get used to it.” I wink at her and walk back into the bathroom. Turning off the taps, I test the temperature and go back into the bedroom.
“Come on, I’ll help you up.”
Gripping her hand and arm, I gently pull on her to sit. Then instead of making her walk, I pick her up and carry her to the bathroom. She winces with pain as I cradle her in my arms, our gazes lock for a second, before I place her on her feet.
“Erm, do you... need any more help.”
“No, I’m fine, thanks.” Her lip quivers as she looks up at me.
“Come here.” My arms circle her holding her close. I hate seeing her upset.
“I thought he was a friend. Why would he do this to me?” Laura questions with a whimper.
She cries into my chest for the second time tonight, clinging as tight as she can to me.
“I don’t know, but I’m going to sure as hell find out.”
I’ve always been able to keep my feelings to a minimum, seeing her like this has sent them rampant. I’m angry, but seeing her like this has made me into a loose cannon. I want to protect her, and I don’t want to see her with anyone else. I know this now; I’ve just been fooling myself. She’s mine.
Laura Giordano belongs to me and always has.
Chapter Fourteen
Stefano
The front door slams shut and the door to my office bursts open.
“Let yourself in Angelo.”
“Where the fuck is, she?”
“She’s upstairs.” He turns to leave as quickly as he burst through it.
“Wait… She’s not majorly hurt, she has some broken and fractured ribs, but it’s mainly bruising and tissue damage.”
He drops into the chair, leaning his elbows on his knees and drops his head on his hands.
“What the fuck happened?”
“You need to promise me something.” He nods before I go on… “Promise me you won’t tell her I’ve told you?”
“I promise.”
He wipes the tears away from his eyes and glances up.
“It was that little cunt Rhys. He attacked her. Kept telling her she deserved it. She rang me because she didn’t want to tell you.”
“Fuck.” He roars through the office, his angry voice bouncing off the walls. “I’ll rip his fucking throat out when I catch him.”
His face is red and his nostrils flare, as the anger tears through him. I know exactly how he feels. When I found out about my sister, I wanted tear the culprit limb from limb.
“Why did she come straight to you?”
I totally ignore his question and go on with what I was going to say anyway.
“Leave this to me. It’s in hand. She’s going to tell you she was mugged, so go along with it for now.” He nods. “Angelo.” He looks up. “I promise you; he’ll pay for this.”
Nodding again he gets to his feet, “I’ve got Roberto working on it now, trying to find what we can on him.”
“Does mum know?”
“I think Laura told her she was staying at her friend’s house tonight.”
“Okay, I’ll tell her in the morning. Why would he do it to her? I don’t get it.”
He gets up pacing the office.
“Please tell me he didn’t touch her?”
I shake my head solemnly.
“No. The doctors confirmed it.”
“Can I see her.”
“Of course. She’s in the front bedroom. She was going in the bath though.”
“Thanks Stef…”
“No need to thank me.”
Angelo steps up to me, an arm going around my shoulders and tapping my back. I watch him walk from the room, my anger for what's happened riling back up.
Three weeks later
“Stefano, you’re not going to believe this…”
I swivel around in my chair at my desk and turn to Roberto and Angelo. They’re trawling back through CCTV, looking for anything they can find on Rhys Duffy. When he’s been here and how many times he’s been in my club. It’s been three weeks since the attack and Laura’s healing well. Her ribs are getting better and she’s been on total bed rest, but she won’t leave the house.
Laura is no closer to figuring out why he turned on her either. He gave nothing away when they hung out together. He lured her into a false sense of security, then pounced.
She told the rest of her family the day after, but there’s only Angelo who knows who it was. We all went along with the story I gave her. Angelo knows I’ll be handling this.
“What have you got?” I step and look closer at the screen. What I see makes me see red. “You are fucking kidding me?”
“We went through everything and nothing came up, until we found his next of kin.”
“I’ll fucking kill him. Fuck”
My fist slams against the door in rage. The look on Angelo’s face matches my rage, only his is silent.
“Angelo?” He looks up at me, his jaw tense, his hands balled into fists. “We’ll get our own back. I promise you that. I promised Laura and I promise you he will get what’s coming…”
Sitting outside her house, I watch as the lights turn on and off in each room as they’re entered. I get out of the car and walk towards the front door and knock. I don’t know what made me come here. It could have been the news we had today. Or could be the intense need in me to protect her - but of course it could be that I just want to see her. Knowing that she’s just eighteen and my best friend’s sister, means absolutely nothing to me.
The door opens less than a minute later. Her hair is up in a messy bun, pulled away from her face allowing me to see the soft lines of her neck. She’s dressed in joggers and a vest top, stretching tightly across her breasts. My throat constricting as my gaze drops to the hem of her top, that’s sitting just above the waistband of her joggers. Showing off the olive colour of her skin, making my mouth water. Looking down further, the cuffs are rolled up above the ankle - her feet bare, with black polish on her toes.
“What do I owe the pleasure?” Her soft voice asks me, making me look back up.
Bringing my focus back up to her pretty features, I can see most of the bruising has gone down. Her cheekbone is still a little swollen and her eye still has faded purple underneath.
“I just wanted to see how you were.”
She nods knowingly. “You could’ve text me. You didn’t have to make a special trip here, just for me.”
“I didn’t... I was next door visiting Mum and Dad.”
“Oh, okay.” She can’t hide the disappointment in her eyes, but she recovers herself quickly, making me feel like shit. I could hit myself for not thinking.
“Do you want to come in?”
“I don’t think it's appropriate.”
“Why?” She frowns, with her hands going to her hips, “If that’s the case, it’s not appropriate for you to be standing on my doorstep either.” She lets out a heavy sigh, cocking her head to the side. “Look, there’s no-one here, so it’s entirely up to you.” She answers with a sigh.
This is a bad idea. There’s only one reason why I came here and it definitely wasn’t to visit my parents. I needed to see her. I had to see her beautiful face again. My mouth pulls into a smirk, mainly at my thoughts. If I go in there all bets are off.
“Since you put it like that.”
Stepping over the threshold, she shuts the door behind me and allows me to lead the way. I walk into the living room taking a seat.
“I’ve got something for you.”
“Me?” Laura asks timidly.
I reach into my pocket, pull an envelope out and pass it to her. She tears it open and pulls out the paper inside. After what happened, I decided to take matters into my own hands and book on her on a course of lessons.
“Driving lessons?”
I nod with a small smirk.
“Yeah, I don’t want you getting in anyone’s car anymore. I thought this might give your spirits a lift and I know you want to learn.”
/>
“It’s fantastic thank you. I’ll pay you back, I promise.” She screeches excitedly.
My eyebrows pull into a frown. “I don’t want the money, it’s a gift.” I tell her in a stern voice. “I want you to be driving. I don’t like that you can’t get around by yourself and you have to rely on everyone else. I don’t trust anyone.”
“You are the best.” Her elated smile lights up her whole face. I haven’t seen her smile like that for weeks - not since her birthday anyway. I sit down on the leather couch, relaxing back against the cushions.
“Maybe Logan can take you out a few times, or Roberto and give you some experience. I’d feel happier if one of those were to do that first.”
She nods in acknowledgement, but doesn’t take her eyes from the piece of paper in her hands.
With everything that’s gone on, at least I can still make her look a little happier. I stand from the couch, her eyes rising upwards until they meet mine. She jumps up to her feet and throws her arms around my neck, hugging me. Working my arms around her waist, I hold her against me, flattening her breasts against my chest. The heat of both of our bodies colliding as it begins to rise, like it always does when she’s near. Lifting her head from my beneath my chin, she gazes up at me. The desire is burning away in her eyes. I’ve kept away as long as I possibly can and fought this for so long now… I think to myself, fuck it - why shouldn’t we have what we want, even if it’s only for now.
“Laura?” My voice husky with craving. Roaming her beautiful eyes over my face until they meet mine, I crash my lips to hers. My hands holding her head in place, our lips moulding to each other. My tongue slips inside her open mouth, taking exactly what I want from her. I try to push my fingers into her hair, but the elastic that’s holding the bun in place, on the top of her head is stopping me. I pull it free and her dark brown tresses tumble over my hand and down her back. Gripping a handful of hair gently, I kiss her. It turns harder, more passionate, her groans vibrating through me, as I take what’s always been mine.
“Oh my god, Stefano. Do you know how long I’ve waited for you to look at me like that? To kiss me just like that?”
Brushing the loose hair away from her face, I cup her face in my hands.
“It’s too dangerous for us at the moment and you shouldn’t be with me. I know I’m in the wrong here, but I can’t keep away from you. I’ve tried…”
Shaking my head in frustration I fix my eyes on hers again.
“It’s hard for us to be together right now, but I promise we will be. Please just be patient and know that anything I do, it’s because I don’t have a choice. I’m not good enough for you, I’m bad. You deserve someone good…”
“But Ste…”
I cut her off with my finger on her lips.
“It’s going to be complicated…. but I’m willing, if you are?”
Her gasps resonate through me as a slow smile forms.
“Too right I’m willing.”
“You’re not to tell anyone. Just our little secret for now, can you handle that?”
She nods enthusiastically, smiling.
“I’ve kept you my dirty little secret for this long. A little bit longer shouldn’t hurt.”
She pushes to her tiptoes moulding her lips to mine. I take advantage of tasting her again, while I have the chance. Who knows if we’ll get the chance again soon?
Laura breaks our connection with a scowl.
“Are you going somewhere?” She asks pulling away a fraction.
“I have to get home; I have to consult with Roberto about some business.”
Her fingers run down the edges of my suit jacket, pulling me even closer.
“How about I come back with you and I can keep your bed warm?”
“You’re a bad girl, you know.”
“Only with you. I know what I want and it’s you, Stefano.”
I spend a minute looking into her stunning chocolate coloured eyes, before I give in to her pleas.
“I just want to be close to you for a bit, that’s all.”
“As much as I’d love to see you in my bed again - I have business to attend to and it needs my full attention.” I flatten the pad of my thumb against her soft skin and stroke it tenderly, then lean down and kiss her soft lips again.
“I can’t have you distracting me - not right now. If your lying in my bed, how am I going to concentrate? It’s way too dangerous.”
“Okay.” She nods with a disappointed look on her face. Putting the tips of my fingers beneath her chin, I tip her head back giving her a parting kiss, but with a promise for more. She gives me a soft, but happy smile as I leave.
My phone vibrates on the oak table in front of me, Roberto’s name lighting up the screen. I hold it to my ear, but before I can say anything, he speaks up.
“I’ve found him.”
Those are the only words I need to make me alert.
“Where?”
“I followed him to a gym, I’m sitting over the road now waiting for him to come out.”
“Stay there, follow him, run him off the road - I don’t give a fuck what you do but get him alone. Text me your location.”
“Boss.”
I click off the phone and place it down. My knee bouncing with exhilaration. Opening the desk drawer, I take out my gun and check it’s loaded. Standing from the chair, I wedge the gun at the back of my trousers, under the waistband. I pace the office floor, waiting for that all-important call. It’s taken two days to find him, but you know the saying ‘you can run but you can’t hide,’ well in this case that statement couldn’t be truer right now.
As soon as I get that call, I’m in the car with Logan and heading to the location. I pull up at the entrance of the woods and get out. I remember this place well; it’ll always be part of my memories. The place where I made my first kill. It seems fitting that I kill another O’Connor here.
Rhys Duffy is on his knees before Roberto, with a gun aimed at his head. Walking over to them, I push him backwards onto the ground.
“What part of ‘don’t fuck with me’ did you not understand?”
My foot kicks out at the piece of shit lying on the wet ground, connecting with his gut.
“I’m sorry.” He gasps.
“I told you to stay away.” Kicking him again. “You. Do. Know, who I am don’t you?” I ask arrogantly.
“Yes.”
Taking a few steps, I stand behind him and place my foot over his head. Before resting it on his cheek, pressing it into the dirt on the ground.
“So, you thought you’d test me, is that it?”
“Please don’t hurt me. I’m sorry.” He whines.
“You’re sorry? You had your warning. I’m not in the habit of telling someone twice.” I tell the snivelling piece of shit that’s shaking on the floor. Hs feet and wrists are tied so he can’t escape. He’ll never touch another girl again, especially one that belongs to me.
My foot presses down until he screams, begging me to stop. Taking my foot from his face I crouch down in front of him.
“Is that what she sounded like when she begged you to stop hitting her?”
He cries out like some kind of pussy. Taking my gun from the back of my trousers, I point it at his head.
“Beg. Beg for your life because by the time I’m through with you, you’ll wish you’d never even looked at Laura Giordano.”
Yanking him up, my fist pulls back until it’s slamming him in the face. His nose splitting open on impact, the blood pouring out. His head snaps back as he yells in pain.
“Look at me.” I roar. His eyes open, but they’re dazed. I punch him again and again.
Straightening up, I aim my gun at his head and move it up and down the length of his body.
“Now what will we do with you, Mr Duffy? Do I let you go or do I get rid of the fucking scum one... by... one, starting with you?” He blinks slowly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he attempts to swallow.
“If you kill me, they will com
e looking and they’ll kill you and every one of your family. They’re not scared of you. You’re nothing to them. Including that little prick tease.”
“Strike one…” Without thinking, I move the gun down and pull the trigger.
“AHH.” The bullet lodges itself into his knee, his scream echoing through the trees.
“How about I let you live for now and you can go back to that fucked up family of yours? Tell them it was me that did this, then say we’re even.”
He nods emphatically at me, “But be warned, one foot near Laura…” I bend down to be closer to him, “And I’ll fucking kill you. Do you get that?”
My voice is quiet and deadly, the colour drains from his face, making him as white as a ghost. The sweat beads on his brow, probably from the hole I’ve made in his knee. Which is currently pissing out with blood.
He nods again, drawing his leg up. I straighten up and turn to Roberto.
“Let him go, but he makes his own way to the hospital. You can let the little fucker bleed out for me.” Logan follows me back to the car leaving that cunt, Rhys fucking Duffy squealing like a pig.
Pulling out my phone, I type a text to Angelo:
He won’t go near her again, believe me.
Slipping my phone back into my trouser pocket, Logan opens the passenger door and I get inside, letting him drive me home.
Chapter Fifteen
Stefano
Walking back in the house, I head straight for my mini bar. I knock two fingers worth of brandy back and pour another, before I sit down resting my head on the back of cushion, closing my eyes to relax. Tugging at my collar, I loosen my tie and pull it off, shrugging out of my jacket and undo the top button of my shirt. I drag my shirt out of the waistband of my trousers, then undo the buttons leaving it to gape open. Taking my wallet, keys, and phone from my pockets, I place them on the table. Then follow it with the gun from the back of my trousers.