A Dangerous Game

by Sienna Grant

  Angelo sits in the chair the other side of the desk, as I go over to my drinks cabinet, pull out my bottle of expensive brandy, and pouring us a drink. I take both small tumblers and hand one over to Angelo. Thrusting my glass into the air in front of me, Angelo does the same.

  “To friendship.”

  Knocking it back it one, the liquor slides down my throat, my eyes closing momentarily, as the burn follows it.

  “Cheers.” He puts the glass back on the table with a tight smile. Angelo leaves my office in a different state of mind and I’m left alone with just my thoughts for company.

  I don't stay there long though, instead, I pull the keys from my pocket and leave, locking the office up behind me. As I pass the kitchen, I grab the glass of water I got for Laura and head upstairs. Not wanting to be away from my princess any longer.

  I wake up to movement and groaning. Forcing my eyes open, I look to the side of me and notice Laura’s head thrashing from side to side. The sheets are off her and her fists are balled so tight, her knuckles are turning white.

  “No. Please.”

  Suddenly waking up fully, I sit up turning to face her, smoothing my hand over her face and hair.

  “Laura. Princess, wake up.”

  She kicks out with her legs; I move away so she can’t kick me and proceed to wake her up. Soothingly calling her name again and kissing her forehead, she begins to come around.

  “That’s it baby. It’s just a nightmare. I’m here.”

  “Stefano…” She groans.

  “I’m here princess. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Oh my god. Stefano.” She turns in my arms wrapping her arms around my back tightly. “It was awful…”

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “I dreamt you were dead.” Her voice is muffled against my chest, “I dreamt they’d killed you. I was trying to get to you, and they wouldn’t let me. They were holding me back and just laughing…” She whimpers...

  “Hey,” I soothe, “Nothing will happen to me, I promise you.” Cupping her head in my hands, I turn her face up to mine so I can look into her eyes. “I promise.”

  Her breath hitches, as I wipe the tears from her beautiful face. Dipping my head, our lips meet, the taste of her tears mingling with our kiss, as they continue to fall. Licking over her lips, her mouth opens a little wider as she invites my tongue to tangle with hers. I deepen our kiss; I need her to know I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. I want to reassure her how much she means to me - how much I love her and want her with me.

  Rolling her onto her back, I trail kisses down her neck to her collarbone.

  “Oh god, Stef.”

  “If you don’t want this, you need to tell me now and I’ll stop.”

  “No. I need you Stefano.” Laura cries, “Please make them go away.”

  Without any more prompting, I pull down the cup of her bra and suck an erect nipple between my lips. Her back arching towards me, as she moans out my name. Hearing my name on her lips, urges me on.

  Tracking back up her body, I pull her up to a sitting position and reach around her back, unclasp her bra, and fling it to the floor.

  “It’s in the way.”

  Smiling, I hold her in place and trace my lips over her face, kissing away her tears and slowly moving down to her swollen lips. She grips onto me as I gently lie her back down and cover her body with mine. Parting her legs with my knee, and settle myself between them, placing my steel like erection at her opening. My hands smooth down over her body, I slide a finger inside her, making sure she’s ready for me. My lips cover hers, muffling her groans with my mouth, as my finger delves in and out of her. Massaging her walls, bringing up my thumb to circle her clit, I add another finger. Stretching her that little bit more, my tongue matches the movement of my fingers and I make love to her mouth. She breaks our connection to take a breather, her head hanging back, elongating her neck for me. I take advantage and suck across her sweet tasting skin. She locks her ankles around my back, and clamps down on my fingers, crying out in pleasure.

  Dragging them out slowly, so she can feel every slight movement, I replace them with my erection. Very slow and controlled, I push inside of her, filling her completely until she’s sheathing me.

  “Are you ready princess?”

  Letting her get used to me, she nods. I wait a second before beginning to move again. In and out, I use delicate, soft thrusts working her up. She clutches my shoulders and her nails dig into my skin, not too hard but just enough to feel the bite. Pushing me on to go quicker and harder.

  “I love you Stef.” She groans

  Pausing my movements for just a second, I look at her.

  “I love you too baby. I won’t let anyone hurt you again, I promise.”

  She nods, her eyes still glazed over, until a stray tear falls over the edge. Beginning to thrust inside her again, I’m more controlled, making them more intense this time.

  I could stay like this forever with Laura. She’s the one that I’m meant to be with… Kissing her again, I quicken my pace, while she holds onto me even tighter. I take her thighs in my palms to drive into her harder, quicker. Laura groans, but I swallow her cries, until she’s releasing her orgasm. Prompting me to finish. The build-up I’ve been holding on to empties inside of her, as I bring us back to earth, slowing down my rhythm to a gentle pace. Slowly, her eyelids flutter open, treating me to her big, chocolate coloured eyes.

  “Hey.” I smile softly, “You okay?”

  She breathes deeply, “I am now. You make it better.”

  “I intend to always make it better for you.”

  We share a long, slow kiss, filled with emotion and love. This girl right here, will forever have me hooked. I have no intention of letting her go.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Laura

  Stefano rolls from me and goes into the bathroom. I hear the toilet flush and pull up the duvet to cover myself up. I’ve never felt so emotional. I feel the tears begin to build in the well of my eyes again. I’m not sure if it’s because of how gentle Stefano was with me, or because of the dream. I have a feeling it’s a mixture of everything that happened lately. Hearing his soft footsteps on the thick carpet, I swipe under my eyes quickly with the tips of my fingers. Ridding myself of the tears that have started to fall, I hope he doesn’t see me. I don’t want him to worry about me, he has enough to stress about.

  Sniffing back my emotions, I fix a smile to my face just for Stefano. He sits on the edge of the bed, shifting the front of my hair from my face and tucks it behind my ear. He wipes the excess moisture from around my eyes with the pad of his thumb. Dipping his head towards me, blinking my eyes closed as he places a tender kiss to my forehead.

  “Stop crying, baby.”

  Walking around the bed he gets back in on the other side. I could lie to him and tell him I’m fine, but he’d see straight through that, so I don’t say anything.

  “I’ll be back.” I go into the bathroom and locking it behind me. I place my back at the cold door, resting my head back for a minute. Once I’ve composed myself, I run the cold tap and splash my face with water, then quickly wash down. I use the toilet, once I’ve flushed and quickly washed my hands, I head back out.

  “Is everything alright?”

  I nod as I get back into bed.

  “You would tell me, wouldn't you?”

  “Of course, I would.” I try to reassure him, as I lie back on the bed. Resting my head on the softness of the pillows, closing my eyes, and shutting out the world.

  “Then you need to start now, because I know you’re upset Laura.” His face hardens and it’s because of me.

  Rolling towards him I lie on my side. Turning to lie down, he faces me.

  “I’m scared…” I take his hand and hold it in both of mine, placing it against my cheek. With him near me, touching me, it gives me the courage to do anything. Inching towards me, we lie nose to nose; he brings my cupped hands to his lips, kissing my knuckle
s.

  “What are you frightened of?”

  “That I’ll lose you?”

  Stefano stays silent, a deep scowl mars his gorgeous features. Pinching my chin softly, he pulls my lips to his kissing them gently.

  “What did I say earlier?”

  “The dream was just so real… I can’t separate... They killed you Stef, in front of me.” As my eyelids shut, a teardrop quickly tracks down my cheek.

  “Princess, come here…” He wraps his arms around my neck pulling me into his chest and kissing my head, tilting my head back, “It’s not going to happen. I can assure you.”

  “You can’t though Stefano. I’m scared shitless that they’re going to kill you and then what happens to me? I have to live without you once again. Only this time I won’t be able to steal a look when I want to, because you’ll be dead.”

  “Hey.” He says firmly, drying my eyes. “I need you to be strong. I need you to be the girl I know you are - the one who gives as good as she gets. You are Laura Giordano, okay?”

  I nod, my breath shuddering.

  “One day soon you’ll be a Di Marco. Nothing is going to happen to me.”

  I reiterate my name over and over in my head, Laura Di Marco. I love the sound of that. Looking him dead in the eye, I just smile…

  I don’t answer him this time, but I do let him kiss me. I let him make love to me again, reassuring me at every chance he’s got. When I was ready to release my orgasm - I held him tightly against me. While he whispered, ‘I love you’ into my ear, calling me his princess.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Stefano

  Eight Weeks Later

  Pulling up outside the restaurant, Laura leans across the central reservation kissing me. Before she leaves the car to go to work.

  “Don’t forget, anything suspicious, you ring me straight away.”

  “I promise. I’ll be fine.”

  “Well, I’m not prepared to pin our luck on hope. So, there’s a new guy going to be shadowing you, his name is Kurt, be nice.”

  Her shoulders slouch and her face twists, “I said I’ll be fine....”

  “And I’m saying that Kurt will be here within minutes.”

  “Fuck sake, Stefano….”

  Blowing out a sigh I look through the window, just as a dark car pulls up in front of us.

  “I take it that’s my bodyguard?”

  “Yeah, come on. I’ll introduce you.”

  “Did you not think to consult me about this, Stef?”

  I shrug haphazardly “I did.” Smirking to myself I wait for her to step out of the car. Before getting out myself, shutting the door and walking towards her new bodyguard. I would have given her Logan, but I need him with me and Ethan is staying with Angelo. Kurt comes well recommended though, through Logan, so I’m trusting him. Logan knows how much Laura means to me and if anything happens to her, both their heads are on the block.

  “Kurt.” I shake his hand, “This is Laura, my girlfriend. Wherever she wants to go, you take her.”

  He nods in reply, while I pull Laura towards me, tucking her into my side and watch as they shake hands.

  “Hi Kurt.”

  Tilting her head back she looks up at me. “I have to go.”

  With a grin I lean towards her and kiss her lips.

  “Please don’t give him any trouble.” I mumble against her lips.

  “Would I?” Her eyes roll as she asks that stupid question.

  Narrowing my eyes, I silently caution her sarcastic tone.

  “Yes, you would.”

  She pulls her bag on her shoulder and ignores my comment. Then turns from me, walking up to the door of the restaurant, giving that sexy arse of hers an extra sway. Shaking my head, I turn back to Kurt.

  “She gives you any trouble - you call me right away.”

  “Yes boss.” I wait until Kurt walks inside and I get back in my car, driving to the club.

  It’s taken her a while to get over the events of being kidnapped, which is no surprise. The night she had that dream, was the first of many. It got to the point she wouldn’t go to sleep on her own. Dr Beckett came back to see her and prescribed her some sleeping pills, but she hated them. They left her feeling groggy. She’s still taking antidepressants, but the high dose was making her more anxious. He’s stopped the sleeping tablets and lowered the dose of her antidepressants, making her feel more human again. She’s been much better, which brings us here.

  Laura decided she needed to work again; her mum needed her. Agency staff were costing a fortune and even though I was footing that bill - she hated it. I don’t want to control Laura and tell her that she can’t work, because it’s what she loves. One day soon, she’s going to be taking over the restaurant. I like that she’s so independent.

  Although when we had the conversation about more staff, having someone shadow her and drive her around; she wasn’t happy with that. We had argument after argument about it. She had to have her independence still. Of course, when we first mentioned this, she expected to get Logan, seeing as she knows him, but he’s too valuable to me, than to be just a driver. So, on orders, Logan found me someone who he’s worked with in the past

  Parking my car at the back of the club, I walk around to the side and go through the fire door, heading straight up to my office.

  I haven’t been here much while Laura has been recovering, I made Roberto and Angelo oversee it.

  Josh, my barman is bringing some crates up from the cellar as I walk through.

  “Morning Mr Di Marco.”

  “Morning.” He nods and walks on. “Oh Josh...”

  “Give me a second, I’ll just put these down.”

  Walking through to the first room, he places the crates on the bar.

  “Yes Mr Di Marco?” He answers turning around to me.

  “I just wanted to make sure everything has been going okay while I haven’t been here?”

  “Yeah, there hasn’t been any trouble or incidents…”

  “Good, it’s what I like to hear.” I smile thinking that finally, things seem to be going the right way. “I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

  “Yes sir.” I turn to walk away, but he stops me, “Oh and Mr Di Marco, all the takings are in the safe. The banking hasn’t been done this week yet. I haven’t had chance.”

  I nod, “That’s fine Josh, thanks for letting me know.” I head up the stairs to my office, Logan following me and taking his place outside of the door. Taking the large bunch of keys out of my pocket, I find the one I need and walk in, turning on the lights. I make myself a coffee from the machine I keep in here and unlock the safe.

  It takes me an hour to sort out all the takings. Separating profit from petty cash and wages, I put it in a bag and in my briefcase. I count all the wages out and put it in envelopes and text Josh to come up to my office.

  Logan opens the door for Josh and waits for him to enter, before closing it again. I stand to greet him.

  “Wages,” I hand them to him. “There’s a bit extra in there for you too, for looking after the club while I’ve been absent.”

  His eyes light up, he doesn’t realise how much extra there is yet. I made sure to give him a good bonus.

  “Oh, thank you. How is Laura?”

  “She’s better, thank you. We’ll get there.”

  He nods, then puts his wage packet in his pocket.

  “Will that be all Mr Di Marco?”

  “Yes, for now. I’ll be popping back out to the bank soon.”

  Josh leaves the office with a nod and Logan shuts the door again.

  Once all the money is bagged up and the safe is locked up, I head out of the door, locking my office again. Logan doesn’t say a word; he just follows me. Turning back to him I let him know where we’re going.

  “I need to get this money to the bank. We’ll go in your car.”

  I head over to the restaurant first, before going back to the club. Logan comes in with me, but he stays by the door. Looking ar
ound I can’t see Laura, so I walk into the kitchen through the swinging door. One of the other staff look up. Putting my finger to my lips, I tell her to stay quiet. Creeping up, I grab her around the waist and lift her up. She squeals and kicks me in the shins. As soon as she hears my voice, she turns her head.

  “Stefano you dickhead. You scared me to death.” I’d forgotten she’d started having some self-defence lessons with Logan.

  “I’m sorry, princess.”

  She breaks out of my arms, shaking her head with her one hand placed over her heart. Lifting my leg, I rub my shin where she booted me.

  “What are you doing here anyway?”

  “Can’t I come to see my girl?” I raise an eyebrow, while I wait for an answer.

  “Of course, I just wasn’t expecting you and Kurt didn’t say anything.”

  “How’s he doing?”

  “Okay. He doesn’t talk much?” She screws up her nose adorably.

  “He’s not supposed to.” Bundling her up in my arms, I whisper in her ear, “He’s here to protect you, not make small talk.” I turn her to face me, lifting her from the floor as she makes a little squeal in the back of her throat, as I place a hard kiss to her lips.

  The door opens behind us and I turn to see who’s interrupting my time. Laura’s mum, Martina walks in.

  “Martina.”

  I put Laura down and turn to her, putting my hands on her shoulders, I kiss each of her cheeks. One small peck on each one, remembering my good old Italian values.

  “Stefano. No work?” She smirks.

  “Yep, just popping in to make sure she’s behaving, that’s all.”

  “Well as you can see, she can’t get into mischief here, so would you please put down my staff and let her do her job.”

  “Fine, I’m going…” holding my hands up in defence. Martina grins and I turn back to Laura.

  “See you later princess.”

  “Byeee.” She calls out, blowing me a kiss from her fingers. I meet Logan at the doors of the kitchen and we leave to go back to the club.