Afterward, they ate the cold pancakes and drank the juice, Cosimo leaning over to kiss her. “Ti amo, Noor.”
She smiled through her tears. “Ti amo, Cosimo.” She whispered it back to him, leaning her forehead against his.
“Come to Italy with me,” he said softly. “Come to Italy and be with me.”
Noor smiled, but didn’t get the chance to answer him. They both heard the front door slam, then Greg’s voice. Noor’s eyes widened in alarm.
“He wasn’t supposed to be back until tomorrow.”
Cosimo took her hand. “Don’t worry about it. It’s better he knows we are together and that we are in love.”
Noor shifted uncomfortably in her chair as Greg walked in and stopped. The shock on his face was obvious and he paled, looking away. Noor’s heart went out to him. Cosimo’s face was impassive.
“Hello, brother.”
Greg stared back at him, shaking his head slightly, and Noor wondered if this was the moment when he’d call Cosimo out. She got to her feet.
“Hey, dude,” she said lightly. “Thought you were away for longer. Want some breakfast.”
She kissed his cheek and could feel the tension in his body. Suddenly aware she was just wearing a long t-shirt that barely covered her groin, Noor gave him a tentative smile.
“Excuse me, fellas, I’m just going to throw some jeans on.”
Greg stared at his ‘brother’ in silence. Cosimo smirked a little and gestured to the coffee pot.
“Drink?”
“No, thank you.”
The two men stood in silence. Greg stared out of the window. They both heard Noor come back down the stairs. Cosimo went out to the hallway. He took her in his arms. She smiled, but a frown creased her face, and she spoke in a lowered voice.
“Look, I need to talk to Greg …explain …I just feel so …I don’t know, but I need to talk to him.” Her look was pleading, and he smiled, nodding.
“I know. It’ okay. Look, I’m going to town to make some calls. You call me when it’s done, and I’ll come back. We have a lot to talk about.” Cosimo kissed her and she felt his smile. Her body relaxed in his kiss.
“Just come back to me as soon as you can.”
“Don’t worry, I will. Remember, just you and me now. I love you.”
As he walked outside, he got into his car, but didn’t drive into town like he’d told Noor. He drove out of sight of the house, then doubled back through the woods near her property. There was no chance in hell that he was leaving her alone with that bastard, especially now that he knew she and Cosimo were sleeping together. He couldn’t risk Greg’s jealousy over-spilling into violence.
I love you. At the memory of her soft voice, Cosimo shook his head, smiling to himself. You’re mine, sweet girl. You’re mine.
Noor sat down next to Greg outside on the porch steps, handing him a mug of strong coffee. The look of hurt in his eyes as he realized what she had been doing with Cosimo—a pang of guilt sat in her chest and now she felt she needed to explain herself.
“Greg …”
“So …” They began at the same time and laughed awkwardly. Greg cleared his throat.
“So, you and Orin are together now?”
She nodded and he sighed. “Noor, I have to say, as your friend—your family—I think this is a bad idea.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Greg, I’m sorry you’re hurt, but I don’t think it’s your concern.”
“I’m not hurt. I’m …disappointed. I thought after all we had talked about and how close we’d become, you would come to me, tell me …” He sounded choked and he stopped, looked away from her gaze. “I thought I was owed that much.”
“I’m sorry.” Her voice was soft.
“He’ll hurt you.”
She didn’t answer this time, and it was her turn to look away.
“Noor?”
“I love him, Greg. I’ve never felt this before. He might even be the love of my life.”
Greg gave a short, cynical bark of laughter and Noor’s hackles went up. She stood up, but he pulled her down.
“No, don’t go. I’m sorry.”
Noor pulled her hand away from him, but didn’t move. “Greg, this has nothing to do with our friendship, you know.”
“I know he’s not my brother, Noor.”
She shut her mouth, then, and looked away. She could feel him watching her.
“You know that anyway, don’t you?” His voice was cold.
Noor shrugged non-committally. “I don’t know.”
Greg made a noise—he knew she was lying. “Well, okay, going along with this charade …I want to know who he is.”
“I only know what he and you have told me.”
Greg waited for a beat. “He’s been asking around about me, Noor. Trying to dig dirt up on me.”
Noor sighed. “Why would he do that, Greg? What did you do to him?”
He looked at her, eyes wide and innocent. “How the hell should I know?”
Something in his expression told her not to rile him and Noor swallowed a lump in her throat. She had no idea how her life came to be this in a matter of weeks. Unravelling. Maybe she should go back to Italy with Cosimo. She glanced at her old friend. Had Cosimo’s accusations really convinced her that Greg was a monster?
No. Not yet. I still have to give this one last try. She nudged Greg with her shoulder.
“Look, come on, Greg. Let’s not let this come between us. Have some supper with me tomorrow night? I was just going to throw together some pasta.”
Greg looked down at her for a moment, then gave a small smile. “Okay, you’ve talked me into it.”
“Good. You know what,” Noor led him back into the kitchen, “You want some fresh coffee?”
Greg gave a genuine smile, then, and grabbed the bottle and a couple of glasses. “Let’s risk a shot.” He poured them both a drink and handed one to her. “Here’s to …new beginnings.”
She felt her body almost slump with relief and she returned his smile.
“New beginnings.”
Cosimo watched them from the treeline. To his relief, Yates seemed to lighten up as Noor talked to him. Still …his cell phone beeped with a message.
Hey, you. All good. Xxx
He circled around back to his car and drove back to her house, as if he’d come from town. Yates had made himself scarce, and to save any awkwardness and keep her safe, Cosimo told Noor to pack a bag for a few days. He was gratified when she agreed.
He took her back to his hotel, and they spent the day in bed, talking and making love.
Just after midnight, Noor smiled at him. “I wish we could stay like this forever, but I have to work tomorrow.”
Cosimo pulled a face. “In Italy, we could spend all day fucking if we wanted.”
Noor chuckled. “Stop trying to tempt me, devil man.” She stroked his face. “If you’re not F.B.I., then who are you? What do you do?”
“You mean you haven’t Googled me?”
Noor smiled. “It was tempting, but then I thought if it was in my internet history, Greg might see it.”
Cosimo stared at her. She was so guileless, so honest, and so without any hidden agenda. He hesitated, then sat up, pulling her into his arms. “Okay …okay …I will tell you everything now, my love. Everything. But it must never leave this room.”
And he began to tell her the story that he thought he would never tell anyone.
The next day at work, Noor could barely function after what Cosimo had told her. Greg Yates wasn’t a person she recognized in Cosimo’s words, but she believed Cosimo one hundred percent.
Who the hell had she let into her life those years ago? Jesus …
Cosimo had told her that his sister, Adrianna, had been brutally murdered by an American man who had been stalking her. It had taken Cosimo years to even find a tiny lead, but thanks to his money and a network of detective all over the world, he’d heard about her attack at college.
“I didn’t know
if it would work out, Principessa, but the way you were attacked, the way the knife was used on you …it could have been the same. Adrianna was stabbed twice, in a crisscross pattern through her navel.” He traced the identical scar on Noor’s belly with a gentle finger. “It was a small thing to connect you both, but something. The homicide police told me that it was deliberately done—a signature. He stabbed her like that and left her to bleed out. They told me he had severed her abdominal artery so she would have bled out in seconds, but still in agony.”
Noor, who felt sick, nodded. “He missed mine by a hair. It was the only thing that saved me. I’ve never told anyone else this but …when he did it …” She got choked, and Cosimo reached for her. She shook her head. “No, I need to say this. When he stabbed me, he did it slowly, as if he was enjoying the pain he was inflicting, as if he was getting off on it as much as he did the rape. I can still smell the blood and feel it hot on my skin.” She glanced at Cosimo, who looked aghast, and realized what she’d said. “Oh, I’m sorry, baby. It might have been different for …I mean, she might have lost consciousness …”
She trailed off, tears in her eyes, but Cosimo kissed them away. “Never apologize. I get the feeling you haven’t talked about it to anyone much.”
“No. Except for Greg.” She looked sick. “And if you’re right …god …”
Cosimo wrapped his arms around her. “You are safe now.”
She looked at him, her eyes tired and sad. “Am I?”
“I swear it.”
But of course, he was wrong …
Noor had the idea as she lay beside a sleeping Cosimo that night. She remembered she had invited Greg to supper, but now …she grabbed her phone and typed out a quick text message.
Hey, come to the coffeehouse at closing tomorrow. I have to work late, but I’ll fix you supper then.
She sent it to Greg’s phone, and within seconds, a reply came back.
Sure thing, looking forward to it.
Noor nodded to herself. Yeah. This all needed to end now, and it was up to her to find out once and for all who she could trust. Even if it cost her own life.
She owed Cosimo and Adrianna that much.
She had told Cosimo that Farah would be with her until closing time, but in reality, she had sent Farah home an hour earlier. Farah had been doubtful, but Noor had insisted. “Orin is coming to get me soon. Don’t worry.”
Orin. It was strange calling Cosimo that now. She struggled to remember in conversations with people now—but thankfully had yet to slip up.
Greg arrived just after eleven, and she fixed them grilled cheese sandwiches and beer. She couldn’t help but be quiet over dinner, and he noticed.
“You okay, boo?”
She nodded. “I am. Greg …I know about Italy.”
It was a risk, but she knew she had hit a nerve when he looked up at her sharply. “What?”
“Orin told me about your wife. I’m so sorry. How did she die?”
Greg’s laugh was mirthless. “Surely your boyfriend told you how.”
“I want to hear it from you.”
Greg put down his beer bottle. “What is this, Noor?”
“Just answer me.”
A long pause. “A car accident.”
They sat in silence for a time, then Greg sighed. “It’s him, isn’t it? He’s putting ideas in your head. The guy is a creep, Noor. He’s talked to people I knew back in college, heard the bare bones, and drawn his own conclusions. Adrianna was my wife and she died. He’s going to try and use it to turn you against me. He’s jealous of us, Noor. He’ll stop at nothing to get rid of me. He probably even accuses me of being the one who attacked you at college, right?”
Noor gave a quick nod.
Greg shook his head sadly. “God, can you believe it?”
Yes.
Suddenly, she could, and she knew without a doubt that Greg was exactly who Cosimo said he was. He knew her name. Adrianna. He knew her name.
Noor got up and began to clear the plates. Greg watched her, a small smile playing around his lips. “You believe him.”
In a flash, he was next to her. “You think I raped you? You think I stabbed you?”
Yes. Yes. Yes.
She nodded, meeting his gaze. What the hell had she been thinking, doing this? He was going to kill her now and no one could stop him—except her.
She brought her knee up and rammed it into his groin, and as he buckled, she made her move. Greg, gasping in pain, threw himself at her and knocked her down. “No, you fucking don’t, bitch.”
She struggled with him, but he pinned her down with his body. She growled in his face, and he laughed. “Nothing’s gonna change what’s about to happen here, Noor.”
“Oh god …it was you. You were the only one who knew I went to the library at that time. You were the one …oh god, oh god …”
For a long moment, they stared at each other, Noor knowing she was right. “Cosimo is right …you’re the one …you killed his sister. You raped me, you stabbed me …”
Suddenly, Greg grinned. “Oh, what the hell. Of course, it was me, Noor. You rejected me over and over again when all I ever did was love you. When you survived, I figured you would work it out …but you never did, and that’s why I went away. To give me time. To give me time until I could come back and finish the job. Adrianna was just a practice run. I only saw your face when I was killing her. He didn’t tell you that, did he? That you look just like her? No, because that would make him sound creepy and creepy doesn’t get you to spread your legs, does it, Noor?”
He kissed her then, but she pulled away and spat it his face. “Motherfucker. Take your hands off me …”
Greg laughed, wiping his face. He was tearing her dress open now, and reaching into his pocket, he took out a stiletto knife. “God, Noor, do you know how many times I almost killed you over the last three months? Every night—except for the ones you were out whoring with Cosimo Branca.” He grinned at Noor’s shocked gasp. “Yes, I know, sweetheart. I’ve known for a while. Just like I knew it would soon be time to finish this. To kill you. Finally. There won’t be any long speeches or happy endings here, Noor.”
Holding her by the throat, he raised the knife, and without another word, plunged it into Noor’s belly. Noor cried out in agony just as the coffeehouse door was kicked in and Cosimo roared in, a gun in his hand. His beautiful eyes widened in horror when he saw the knife buried deep in Noor’s abdomen, and he leveled the gun at Greg. “Let her go. Right now, cocksucker …”
Greg grinned and yanked the knife out of Noor’s belly, blood spurting out of the wound and spreading across her skin. She gasped for air, but Greg was merciless, driving it into her again.
“No!” Cosimo’s shout came at the split second he fired his gun. The bullet zipped past Greg’s face, taking a lump of flesh out of it, but clearing his skull. Greg roared and jerked away from Noor as Cosimo advanced on him. He aimed for Greg’s forehead.
“This is for Adrianna …and for Noor.” And he shot Greg in the head. Greg slumped to the ground, his eyes wide and staring.
Noor whimpered in pain and Cosimo dropped to his knees beside her. Noor, on the verge of passing out, bleeding heavily, tried to speak, but couldn’t.
“Hold on, mio caro, just hold on. I’m going to get you to safety now.”
Noor felt herself slipping into unconsciousness as Cosimo lifted her up and carried her out of the coffee house …
When she next opened her eyes, she saw a bright light. God, not the heavenly bullshit …no, just daylight, streaming through the windows of a hospital room. She gave a sigh of relief. It was a very expensive hospital room, by the looks of it. Her throat was dry, there was an oxygen tube stuck up her nose, and she had annoying needles stuck in her arm. Noor tried to clear her throat, then she heard the scrape of a chair and he was there. Cosimo.
“Hey …hey, beautiful. How do you feel, mio caro?
She tried to smile and indicated her throat was sore. He helped he
r sip some water. Noor sighed. “I feel okay …what happened?”
Cosimo bent his head to kiss her, his lips soft against hers. “Yates is dead. He was dead the minute he hurt you. The minute he killed Adrianna. I promise you now, my darling love, I promise you from now on, there will only be good things …”
One year later…
Noor stood at the window of the villa and looked out over the Bay of Naples. She still couldn’t believe this hugely luxurious villa nestled in the hills was her home now. She loved every minute she spent in this beautiful country.
When Cosimo had taken her home to Italy, she had finally discovered everything about him. He wasn’t an F.B.I. agent in any way, neither had his revenge plan been sanctioned by any agency. But when you were as rich as Cosimo Branca, you were somehow above the law. Noor had been shocked when he told who he really was. His family was oil-rich, wealthier even than the Onassis family, and he, Cosimo, was the CEO of the family business. They were practically Italian royalty. Cosimo was an only child now. His sister’s murder had scarred him deeply, he told Noor, and he felt he couldn’t function until he had gained his family’s revenge.
“My plan was to find Yates and kill him. I didn’t expect to fall in love with you, my darling. When I saw how close you were, I knew I had to tread carefully, especially as Yates was a ticking time bomb when it came to you. I needed an ‘in.' I needed a way to win your trust so I could protect you.” He closed his eyes. “And he nearly killed you again.”
“You saved me. Greg had intended to kill me whether you turned up or not.”
Cosimo made a distressed noise, but Noor pressed her lips to his. “Enough. He’s gone, he can’t hurt anyone else.”
They had spent a year in Sorrento and Naples, getting to know each other properly and finding they had so much more in common than just great sex. His family had adored her from the start and she had spent time getting to know them. Cosimo had insisted on her having her dream restaurant, and when they opened, it was a huge success.
Doctor's Demands: A Submissives’ Secrets Novel Page 132