Her Dark Dragon

by Lillith Payne

  “Felice, there’s a bag packed by the front door. Use it. You’ll not come back here again.”

  A stand-off of dirty looks held until they heard a second car arrive. When the deputy came in and spoke to Coy, they decided a few pictures were needed. Danni sat tall while the young man did his job, taking shots of her injuries from several angles, obviously embarrassed at being a part of this. Then he documented the trashed room. When he finished, the sheriff told him to take Robert in. Felice made a fuss that was ignored while Robert’s hands were cuffed behind him.

  “Can you drop her somewhere, a friend maybe?” Nico asked.

  “Yeah.” He turned to the guard in the hallway, telling him the house would remain empty for the night. Felice wandered outside and watched Robert being seated in the rear of his police cruiser. Nico turned to Coy.

  “Where were your guys when this was going on?”

  “Stationed at the gate, the cellars, the stable…”

  Nico put up his hand to stop the rest of his words. He was right, they were hired to keep the place safe, and not dog Danni’s every step. “I got two calls before Carmen’s. They heard noise and moved in, but called as they went. When they got here, everyone had gone to neutral corners. So they stood guard to stop anything further from happening.” The men exchanged nods. “Come along, Felice. I’ll drop you at Betty and Al’s for the night. Tomorrow you’ll have to come down and give a statement and bail out Robert, if you feel you must.”

  “Bail him out? Statements?”

  All of them noticed the change in Felice’s demeanor, wilting back into the Southern belle act she played so well. She managed to walk unassisted to the sheriff’s car, a strange detached look in her eye, anger hiding behind a careful facade.

  “Danni, you’ll be okay for the night with Nico?”

  She gave him a nod of her head. But she knew she was exhausted and sooner rather than later all this information was going to hit home. “Stop by after eleven, I’ll make sure Felice is gone.”

  “Thanks, Sheriff. I’m sorry this family has been such a problem these last months.” They started to split, but Danni paused. “How long can you hold Robert?”

  “That will depend on what charges are brought, the court will decide.” Coy Addams moved Felice toward the back seat of his cruiser, his hand automatically going to cover her head so she wouldn’t hit it on the frame. He closed the door and turned back to Danni. “If Felice can raise his bail, I’ll have no choice.” He hesitated before adding, “You’ll be safe for tonight. Tomorrow we’ll try to work out the rest. At least we’ll be able to get an order of protection to keep them away from you and the land until the settlement.”

  “Thanks, Coy.” Danni stood beside Nico, and then rushed down the few steps toward the sheriff. “Don’t let her use the Cirillo label as collateral for his bail!”

  Watching Felice being driven away was a surreal moment. While she wasn’t handcuffed, she might as well have been. Nico watched Danni blanch at the mouthed words Felice aimed at her through the closed windows. Nico burst out laughing when Danni gave her a hand gesture instead of words. His strong arms scooped her against his chest, placed her on top of his horse, and then he mounted behind her. He gave the guard a nod, then turned the horse toward Casa Maria.

  Danni relaxed against him. He just wanted her safe and secure, at least for one night. It was a strange sigh that came from her throat. “My God, Nico, I never imagined!”

  “Not many people knew. Twenty-five years ago secrets were kept. Matteo was well liked. It was courtesy to him. People who knew him made a point of not telling everyone they’d adopted you.” He cleared his throat to buy some time. “When I spoke to Maria a few weeks ago, she hinted there were secrets I didn’t know. I’d never imagined this.”

  “I suppose my dark hair and eyes melded with the Cirillo traits.” Her voice trailed off before she finally said with a sigh, “Nico, I’m beat. I’m tired, and I need a shower.”

  “And food,” he added. “We’re on our way home, Danni, we’ll be there soon. Then you can clean up and start to process everything that’s happened in the last few hours.”

  “Maybe later or tomorrow. For now, I just want to be me…or who I thought I was.”

  When they arrived at his home, Carmen was at the door, waiting.

  “I’ve a hot bath ready and I’m making some sandwiches.” He helped Danni down from the horse.

  Chapter Twelve

  When she reached the top step, she stopped. Turning, she surveyed the landscape and Nico still sitting astride his horse. In the distance, she could see the monstrous outline of her old home. It struck her that she no longer belonged in that house and wouldn’t be forced to live there. That was when she started to laugh. Both Carmen and Nico watched her closely.

  Danni all but skipped down the stairs to Nico’s side. She rose up on her toes as he leaned down. After pressing a light kiss to his cheek she said, “I’m going to clean up and get some aspirin. Then I’m going to get something to eat and wait for you to come back and tell me what’s going on at the sheriff’s department.” She walked back up the front steps to Carmen and gave her a smile. “You know, even though it’s crazy, I’m hungry.”

  Both women laughed. Nico followed behind them shortly after handing over his horse to Antonio. Carmen had put her suitcase in his master bedroom, steam already building from the hot bath she’d started for Danni.

  Danni was hesitant, waiting for Nico. With only a glance toward him, she started to remember other times in this space. Very different times, private ones they’d never share again. A strange sadness overcame her and she purposely looked away.

  “Nico, would you rather I used a different room?”

  “Don’t be absurd, Danni. This is where you belong.”

  With Carmen gone, she toed off her sneakers, tossing her denim jacket toward the bathroom floor. She pulled out the band that had kept most of her braid tamed and shook it out, letting her fingernails make patterns on her scalp. Her T-shirt shirt came next. Without hesitation she pulled the stained shirt over her head.

  “Danni, I’m going downtown. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Shower and take a nap. I promise to wake you when I get back.” She saw the outline of his erection rigid under the denim. She understood it would be rude to hit on her, but she wanted him, bad. And not just for sex—she wanted him close. Throwing caution to the wind, she turned back, making long strides to where he stood, pulled him against her, and held tight.

  “God, Danni, if he’d really hurt you…”

  “But he didn’t, Nico.” She heard the tremor in his voice, realized he was holding back his anger. “Don’t do anything stupid to defend my honor, Mr. Severino. That’s exactly what Robert and Felice want you to do. Then they’ll be able to draw you into this mess.” She pulled back and stared at his face. “Nico?”

  “I’m torn, Danielle. One side of me wants to take you to that bed and never let you out, and the other side tells me to leave you alone for a while and…”

  “And?” she teased, laughing aloud. His face heated as her hand slipped over his hard-on.

  “I’m sorry, Danni. I should have done more to protect you.”

  “No, Nico. It’s not your job to protect me. If I were your…” She pulled away when she realized what she was about to say.

  “If you were my what, Danni? Wife? It can be arranged.” His words were a dare, as was the tilt of his lips holding back a smile.

  “I really need to bathe. This is getting us no place.”

  “It could, Danni, but I’ll back off for now.” They were distracted by Carmen’s knock on the door.

  “Aspirin and fresh orange juice. Aren’t you in that bath yet?”

  “On that note, ladies, I’ll be back as soon as I can. Carmen, make her rest and eat.”

  “I’ll be fine, just see what’s going on.”

  “Danni, I’ve brought in another security team. Don’t be scared if you see men outside the perimeter of the h
ouse and grounds.”

  “All right, Nico, but do you really think they’re necessary?”

  “I doubt it, but I’ll feel better knowing they’re here until I get back.”

  “Nico, do whatever it takes to hold Robert. Press any charges you can, get a restraining order on him and Felice. She slapped me across the face tonight, too. I want them both kept away from Cirillo land and me.”

  “I’ll do what I can. Coy told me he’d call Sam Parkins, he’ll meet me there.”

  She nodded, then turned, letting Carmen usher her into the steamy bath, the door solidly closing behind them. It opened quickly and Danni stuck her head out.

  “Nico,” she called, hesitating when he turned back. “Thanks,” was all she managed to say, suddenly choked with emotions.

  “You’re welcome. Make yourself at home, Danni. Get some rest. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” This time, he walked quickly from his room. She knew if he stayed, she’d urge him to head into the bath with her.

  True to her word, by the time Nico returned home, Carmen had laid out a feast. Antonio and Danni were sitting across the table from him, Carmen pouring coffee. He didn’t mention it when Danni’s plate was left virtually untouched. Force-feeding her wouldn’t help. She picked at the slice of her favorite pound cake but drank more coffee.

  They kept the talk general. Antonio let Nico know that he’d talked with the security teams at both sites and all was quiet. Their conversation about the next day was surreal. Danni was too calm. For all the information he’d learned in the last hours, he was uptight. She was just resigned. When the last of the dishes were cleared, Carmen and Antonio slipped out.

  It was hard not to study her profile. She was scrubbed clean, her hair air drying in waves around her shoulders. The marks on her throat were turning darker. The bruise on her cheek was bright red, her lip still swollen. She stood in his kitchen wearing silk pajamas that were meant to cover up everything. He hardened again. He knew what was under them, and wanted her against him.

  “What would you like, Danni, television, a fire, or to bed?”

  “Is that alone or with company?”

  “Your call.” She seemed to be considering the idea too long when he began to think she’d send him away. Her words revived him.

  “How about a fire and brandy, and then you can tell me what else went on, like how Coy managed to keep you from killing Robert.” Her words were said with a smile, but they both knew they were accurate.

  “You’re on. You grab the brandy, and I’ll start a fire.” He moved from the kitchen, the fire burning by the time she arrived with bottle and glasses in hand. She dropped on the center of the dark suede sofa, poured both drinks, and left the bottle within reach on the coffee table. Nico sat beside her but left a definite space between them.

  “So, what happened? What don’t I know?” Danni tucked her legs up under her as she turned to look. He caught a slight wince as she sipped the brandy and it touched her lip. “Well?”

  “All right, it was no great feat to keep me away from Robert. He was already behind bars when I got there.” He shook his head, knowing he’d lost a chance. Nico knew this wouldn’t be over until he and Robert had a long talk. Not one he’d tell Danni about, but they’d have a confrontation when the time was right. Instead, he continued, hoping to soothe Danni. “I wish you could have seen him, Danni. Cowering and hung over. When you threw him over your shoulder, you dented his ego!”

  She laughed aloud, then winced. “Go on, tell me more. I wish I could have dented other things!”

  “I think for now you’ve done enough. He’s realized the game is over for him. He kept asking for Felice, but she didn’t show up.”

  Danni just shook her head. “She’ll want nothing to do with him anymore. The money is gone, and he’s got no real potential that I’m aware of. I wouldn’t be surprised if they separate soon. That’s just how she is, superficial and money-hungry. It will be interesting to see whose bank account will soothe her. By the time this buyout is complete, she’ll have everyone thinking she’s been duped by Robert. The belle being too trusting led her to this point! Felice will claim she needs a strong man to protect her.”

  Danni paused and sipped from her glass. “I realized this afternoon I’ve been calling her Felice these last months. It felt odd to call her Mom or Mother. She gave me the impression we were strangers and I was infecting her world. I suppose that’s how she felt for the last twenty-five years. God, I was so stupid. I know other mothers are different. I always assumed I’d done something to make her hate me. I hadn’t realized being born was the catalyst.” Danni moved closer to Nico, and his arm automatically dropped over her shoulder to pull her closer. “Is this okay?”

  “This is much better.” Nico kicked off his boots and drew his long legs up to rest his feet on the coffee table.

  “I haven’t really let myself think too much tonight, Nico. I know the next few days are going to be difficult. I just want you to know how much I appreciate your help.”

  “I’m always here for you, bella.” Danni sighed and snuggled closer to his body.

  “Tell me the rest.”

  “Why not let it go for tonight? Tomorrow morning I’ll take you downtown so you can give your statement. That’s soon enough to rehash all this.”

  “You couldn’t have prevented this. I made my own situation when I emptied the safe deposit box. I’ll admit I figured we’d yell a lot. I didn’t ever imagine either one of them would get physical, especially Robert. But I was wrong. It was my decision, and it wasn’t an ideal one. I can’t go back, and neither can you. Let it go or the anger will eat you alive.” As if Danni knew Nico would take responsibility no matter what she said or did, she continued to drive her point home to him. “Niccolo, I need to be in control tomorrow. I need you to help me with that. I can’t have you spitting tacks at Robert or Felice for now. So, please, let the anger go. Revenge will be so much sweeter.” She laughed, her normal light, lilting laugh.

  “All right,” he finally grumbled. Nico dropped a kiss on her forehead and shifted out from under her. “I’m going to take a quick shower. Relax, I wouldn’t be long.”

  “I could keep you company…” She saw his look and added, “I’ll wait for you here.” He left before he could change his mind and carry her upstairs with him.

  A lot of things went through his mind as he showered. Anger and loathing came first. Second came the realization that she could have been hurt much worse. And finally, he let his emotions flow freely with the shower turned up high. “Damn,” he said aloud, hating that he was actually crying. Niccolo Severino knew he’d loved Danielle Cirillo for years. Their age difference made any kind of romantic overtures out of the question. But now, seeing her as a woman, he knew if he lost her, he’d never be the same again. He dated and had companions, never giving any woman a real chance. It was simple enough. He had been biding his time until Danni came home to run Cirillo. Only that plan backfired in his face several times now.

  Her scent was still around him in the bathroom. A scent he didn’t want to lose. He pulled on sweats and hurried downstairs, not wanting her to be alone. She was still on the sofa, curled into a corner, her head resting on her knees. She’d been crying. There was an assortment of used and mangled tissues around her and on the table. As soon as she realized he was back, she tried to pull herself together.

  “Sorry, just giving myself a bit of a pity party.” She dried her eyes and gathered up the debris around her. He added a few logs on the fire and stirred the ashes until they caught. Then he turned, walked straight to Danni, lifted her up against his chest, and sat back with her across his lap. She didn’t protest, instead snuggled closer. “I guess I didn’t manage to stay out of your way, did I?”

  “You were never in my way, bella. If you stayed away, I’d have found an excuse to come bother you.”

  “What a pair we are, Nico, so similar, yet so different. I’ve always had a crush on you of some sort, some years were wors
e than others. I’ve loved you since I could understand what the word meant. And I accepted you didn’t want me as a part of your life. But here I am…”

  “Thank God, Danni. You’ll never know how hard it was to turn you away all those years ago. Beyond improper, it wouldn’t have been right for you. You still had school and dreams.”

  “While you’ve always stayed here on Severino land. She’s your true mistress, Nico. The strange thing is I can understand why.”

  “Danni, do you have any idea how crazy you drove me all these years? So close, but so far away at the same time.” He scrunched deeper into the sofa and brought her with him. “Stay with me, Danni. Marry me and we’ll have a good life here. It’s like we were meant to be all these years. Time finally caught up with us.”

  “Once I would have been able to tell myself I believed you. And I do believe you love me, Nico, in your own way. But you’re not in love with me. And that’s the one thing I truly needed from you. To know you loved me from your heart, not convenience.” He started to object but she silenced him with her fingers to his lips. “Now, I suppose I don’t belong to anyone, just myself. My name, my home, my childhood, my schooling is all a lie. I don’t know who I really am.” His arms banded her closer to him.

  “Danni, after you settle down and process all this information, the end result will still be the same. Ultimately we belong together—you and me, the land, this house, and the wine, no matter whose name it reflects.”

  “I suppose I should stop defending the Cirillo label like it was mine. It never really was. Just an illusion dangled in front of me to keep the money flowing for Robert and Felice. Now I’m of age, I don’t have a clue as to who I truly am or what else I might have wanted to be.”

  “You are Danielle Cirillo, no matter who gave birth to you. You’ve spent your life in those fields; nurturing the vines, learning everything Matteo and Antonio have taught you. If Felice hadn’t told you about being adopted, what would be different?”

  “I don’t have a clue, Nico. It’s all such a jumble inside my head. I’m fighting for something that never really was mine.”