Mia’s face crumbled, “I can’t keep seeing you get hurt, I can’t stand it.” My lips twitched at her concern, and my stomach turned at her sadness. “It’s all my fault. You tried to warn me—”
“It’s too late now.”
“What’s too late?”
“You can’t leave. They know you mean something to me now. If you go, they’ll use you as a weapon against me.”
“How? Who the hell is they?”
“Mia, I can’t stand the thought of you being hurt.” She rubbed at her wrists as I spoke, and my heart panged with guilt and agitation.
“Well then let’s run away. You said you had money. His money…” her eyes grew wide. “Is that what they’re after? Just give it to them. We can stay here with Spots and be poor and happy.”
I cackled at the image she had conjured up. It was a sad hollow sound, knowing it would never happen.
“If it was that easy, I would have given it away years ago.”
“So what are they after?”
“Something that doesn’t exist anymore.”
“What?”
“Mia,” I took her hand in mine, “The less you know, the safer you are, we are.” I squeezed her hand and her face fell, her lips pressed into a thin line.
“You don’t trust me.”
“I want to protect you.”
“From what?”
“Mia—”
“No! You keep saying you want to protect me, but you keep secrets and I’m in the middle of something that I don’t understand.”
“Don’t push me on this, Mia.”
“Or else what?”
I tore my hand through my hair and ground my teeth. Or else what? I could tie her down and keep her here. Safe. With me. But to what end? I could force her to stay. But maybe she was right, and she had a right to know—at least a little bit. I decided on breadcrumbs; I would leave her some, but keep the loaf.
I threw the pea bag onto the table and gestured to the chair across from me, “Sit down.”
“Not until you start talking.”
My back fell against the wall, and I stared at the ceiling. An abandoned cobweb dangled from a corner and swayed in an invisible wind.
“Tony had millions in laundered cash hidden around town. It was in the walls of the buildings he owned,” I could see her eyes flicker as she listened.
“He stole most of that money, skimmed it off the top, and the people he stole it from were not happy. Not in the least. After he died, they came looking for it.”
Mia dragged the chair around the table. The metal feet screaming against the cold concrete. She planted it directly in front of me and sat down. Her long legs crossed, her skirt riding up the length of her thigh.
“What happened to the money?”
I bit the back of my bottom lip and stared into her eyes. They burned with curiosity.
“I hid it. All of it.”
“And you still have it?”
“Yes. Most of it…”
Her eyebrows knitted together, and I could see questions forming behind her eyes.
“Why did you never use it?”
“It wasn’t safe and, by the time it was, the money had been in hiding for so long I couldn’t just reintroduce it into the world.”
“But it was clean?”
“Yes.”
“But it’s not anymore?”
I rubbed my hands along my thighs, “If I was to suddenly have a few million dollars lying around that I didn’t have before, people would have asked questions.”
“A few million?”
I chuckled as her eyes and mouth rounded in wonder. I’ve seen that look before; it was the look people get when they see an opportunity. It’s one look before delight and another before greed.
“So where is it now?”
“Safe.”
She rolled her eyes at my answer, “Stop avoiding the question, Gabriel.”
“I’ve invested it.”
I could see her mind ticking over, “So, we can use it? To get away?”
“We could, but I don’t want to.”
“But it’s our future.”
I cocked my head at her words. Our future. Our. We. Us. Together.
“Mia…”
“If we…”
“No! There is no us Mia. There will never be an us!” I growled at her, the words bitter and angry in my mouth, reeking of longing and regret.
Her eyes bore into me, anger flared behind the golden flakes, setting them alight, “Why not? It can be our ticket out of here.” She sounded so convinced, so broken.
“Mia,” I reached for her hand and covered it with my own. My eyes seeking hers, “I don’t want more risk. More danger.”
“But—”
“How can I make you see? Any future where we’re together puts us both in danger. Can’t you see that this is for the best?”
“This?” She snatched her hand away and waved it around pointing to the kitchen and shop that lay behind it, “Cowering in a mechanic shop? Hiding behind your cars and walls and excuses?”
“It’s not cowering, it’s being smart.”
“You call it what you want.”
Mia shot out of her chair; the force knocked it to the floor. She turned to leave the room. I reached for her hand, and she yanked it away and marched to the door.
“You don’t know what you’re asking for.”
She ignored me and continued walking.
I grabbed her hand again, my heart pounding in my chest, anger flooding my veins, “It will mean war. Casualties.” My eyes shot to Spot’s empty bed.
“It’s not a war. It’s a fight for survival, it’s a fight for our future.”
She snatched her hand away from me as our voices rose. I stalked her as she rounded one of the cars, anger singeing the edges of my skin.
“You don’t think I want that?”
“You just want to hide away in your room, like a scared little boy.”
She walked backwards as my chest heaved with agitation. Who the fuck did she think she was?
“What the fuck did you call me?”
“A scared little boy,” She bared her teeth at me, “You want to run and hide your whole life? Grow the fuck up, Gabriel.”
Anger surged through me as I lunged at her.
Mia ran. I blocked her exit. The only way to get away from me was up.
She stumbled on the stairs as she ran. I roared and grabbed her foot. Her shoe came off in my hand, and I tossed it away. It clattered as it rolled. Mia shook me off, spun and kicked me in the chest. I stumbled backwards as she regained her balance, then tripped over.
“You want a war, Mia?” I reached for her again and snagged her leg, this time gripping her ankle in an ironclad hold. I yanked, my muscles aching at the movement. Her body slid and bumped against the stairs.
Mia screamed. A raw primal angry thing, her hair flung like a wildfire in the fields. She pushed me, clawing, digging into me with her sharp nails. I reached for her wrists, but she fought—a brutal savage fight.
I grabbed her wrists and wriggled my body onto hers, smothering her with the weight, driving her legs apart so I can settle against her, forcing her to calm down.
I pinned her down, my entire body pushing on her hips. One hand clasping her wrists, the other closing around her neck. Fury gripped me. It choked me in the same way I wanted to choke her.
“Is this what you want Mia?” I growled, “Violence? Anger?” My fingers squeezed the delicate flesh of her neck, she whimpered under the touch.
At the sound, I released her. My hands fell away and I lifted my body from hers. But before I could break contact, she stabbed her hands into my scalp and pulled me into her. Our lips smashed together, inflicting angry needy kisses on the other, our tongues tangled. Sweeping, darting, lashing.
I reached for her underwear and ripped them off as her hands found the button of my jeans and wrenched the zip open, releasing me. I didn’t wait for an invitation. I thrust into her
and she moaned as my hips thrust against hers. Her nails digging, scratching, clawing at my rigid muscles. My mouth entangled in hers with deep, bruising kisses.
I bucked my hips. Our bodies at war, at peace, pulling up, falling down; her fingers pulling at my hair, biting my swollen lip.
Our bodies collide in angry desire, tumbling down the stairs. I fisted a tuft of her hair and pulled as she screamed. Her hips ground and shoved, pushed and forced. Our chests heaved and blood pumped like a tidal wave in my veins, urging me, propelling me.
Pleasure.
Pain.
Up.
Down.
We were animals, ravaging one another with dark ferocity.
Raw.
Angry.
Ruthless.
I pounded, crazed and brutal. When she screamed, it was a battle cry, and when I growled, it was surrender.
She pulled my mouth to hers and sated me with a gentle, thankless kiss; then she pushed me off her and walked across the shop and towards my room.
“See? When you really want something, you fight for it.”
She left me on the stairs breathless and dazed, my ass hanging out from below my jeans.
“Fuck!” I screamed into the deserted space. It should have never happened. She deserved so much better than that.
I pulled myself together and sat on the stairs, cupping my head in my palms. I guess I was going to war. I just hoped I was doing it for the right reasons.
PART XII
“Get up, we’re going for a ride.” I slept like shit and got up early. I took some delight in watching Mia sleep. She slept so deeply. Maybe she had a clean conscious. She rolled over and groaned.
“What time is it?”
“It’s time to go to war. Now get the fuck up.” I watched her sit up with a scowl then marched out of the room.
I sipped on my coffee. Salvatore would arrive soon, and we would go dig up a past that should stay buried. The phone rang. It felt loud in the suddenly too small room. I reached for it.
“Hey kiddo.”
“Alice. What do you want?”
“Oh, don’t be like that.”
“Last time you were here, you nearly—”
“I know kiddo. Look, I didn’t like it much either…” her words hung between us.
I sighed, “What do you want?” I had enough problems.
“I just wanted to say, I’ll be scarce for a while.”
“That’s not unusual for you Alice, why the sudden call?”
There was a long silence on the other side of the line, and I could hear the uncertain intake of breath, “I know I’ve disappointed you more than once, and maybe I’m not the mother you deserved, but you’ve turned out ok, you know?”
I remained silent. Something about “if you don’t have anything nice to say and all.”
“Anyway, I’m going to disappear for a while. After what’s happened… I have this feeling something bad is about to happen. I’m going to try get sober again, maybe I’ll get my old job back. I’ll make you proud of me, kiddo.”
“Good for you, Alice.” What else was there to say? How many times had she already promised?
“Gabriel?”
“Yeah?”
“Just be careful.”
I slammed my eyes shut, “Yeah, you too Alice.”
The line went dead.
I was placing the receiver back when Mia walked in.
She had pulled her long hair into a messy bun, and her face carried the echoes of deep sleep. The bruising on her hands turned a sickly yellow-green to match my jaw. She rubbed her wrists as she grabbed a cup and poured herself a coffee.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
She rolled her eyes at me and sipped her coffee. I smirked with the pleasure of making her wonder, making her want to know—making her want. My body purred with the unexpected pleasure of the thought.
“What are we waiting for?”
“Salvatore. He’ll be here in a few minutes,” we sipped our coffees in silence. Tension and uncertainty floated between us. How do we mend the gap we tore open the night before?
“Mia…”
My words cut off with the slamming of the heavy iron door, followed by Salvatore’s footfalls. He was at the kitchen door moments later.
“Morning Boss. Mia.” He tipped his head towards her, and her face flushed. Her rosy cheeks tugged at my heart. “I’ve told you to stop calling me that,” I griped at Salvatore who ignored me.
“Should we get going?”
I stood up and gestured for him to lead the way. I didn’t miss the way his eyes flickered over Mia, appraising her slim figure. My fists clenched at my sides as we stepped outside and climbed into the car.
My stomach churned and twisted as Salvatore drove. The older parts of the city dissolved behind us as we entered the city’s newest developed district. The whole place used to be an industrial area, a decaying part of the city that the government got tired of hiding. Instead, they decided to go with urban regeneration. They moved the homeless along and tore everything down.
Well almost everything…
It had been years since I had come here, not since we opened. The place made me nauseated. Despite the glamour and abundance we stuffed into every corner and plastered against every wall, all I saw was the blood the walls were painted by. The whole building was a monument built on death and made for profit.
As we got closer, I remembered the first time I saw the place. That day will forever scar my soul. Salvatore drove the truck that day. He seemed so calm, so unaffected by the events of the night before, while my insides screamed and twisted and burned.
The building used to be derelict. The grey, dull dirt clung on to walls like toddlers to their mothers, and everything smelt like piss. Now, it was a different kind of monster. I pushed away the memories as Salvatore pulled over and killed the engine. I held the car door open for Mia, who stepped out and looked at the building wide-eyed, scanning it up and down.
I watched Mia as she took in her new surroundings. She remained placid, calm. My eyes kept gravitating to her lips. She chewed on the bottom lip, and it glassed and glowed as it become more plump and pink with each pluck of her teeth. I shifted my weight, forcing my eyes away.
“What are we doing here?” Mia asked.
“We’re starting a war, just like you wanted.”
“I don't understand.” She folded her arms across her chest and her face grimaced as a hot wind carried the whiff of morning sangrias.
“You will.”
“When?”
“Now.” I held out my hand and Mia hesitantly placed her palm in mine. I led her toward the door.
“Where are we going, Gabriel? I’m not dressed for this place…”
“You’re dressed just fine.” My eyes roamed her from top to bottom unashamedly, and my lips split into a smile.
“I can’t. We can’t just walk into—” she resisted, pulling against me.
I stopped and turned to her, her hand still clasped in mine, “You are dressed just fine. Because you are walking in with the owner of this establishment, no one will say a word, no one will so much as look at you.”
Mia’s mouth parted ever so slightly, and her eyebrows furrowed. She took a deep steadying breath, and her freehand waved at the structure. “You own… The Hill Hotel?”
“I do.”
She nodded, her eyes sparkled with anticipation, “How?”
“That’s a story for another time,” my mouth pinched together at the memories, “Now, will you come with me already?”
She nodded and allowed me to lead her inside, Salvatore following a few steps behind.
She was right, she wasn’t dressed for this place. I had a sudden urge to throw everyone out just to see her cross that lobby bare-assed. The thought made my cock flicker. I ground my teeth, watching Mia take it all in. I could see her excitement as she took in all the extravagance, the opulence, the over indulgent spewing only mon
ey could buy. As far as I was concerned, she was still the most beautiful thing in that room.
The floor to ceiling windows ran the length of the lobby, and morning light danced across the black, marbled floor tigered with golden streaks. The oak reception desk was set along the back wall. Plush carpet kissed the marble floors in the modern sitting area to the left. Mia’s presence turned a few heads. My skin prickled.
At the sight of us, the two receptionists stood up from behind the desk. I could see one thinking of approaching us, clearly appalled by Mia’s dress sense, while the second raised a hand and whispered a quick word. The two straightened up, and their faces stretched in an unnatural smile.
“Sir, so good to see you again,” the younger of the two women spoke, looking directly at Salvatore; a slow blush crept over her features.
Salvatore winked in response and her blush deepened.
“What can I do for you and your…friends?” Her eyes flashed over me, then swung to Mia.
At that, Salvatore’s mouth cracked in a wide grin, no longer able to hide his amusement. The young receptionist looked confused at his reaction. She was in need of rescue, and it seemed that Salvatore was no knight in shining armour. I stepped in.
“I’ll be having breakfast upstairs. Make sure the chef sends something up.” At my words, her mouth fell open as understanding dawned.
“Oh sir, Mr. D’Angelo, I’m so sorry. I didn’t recognise you…” she tumbled over her words.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“We didn’t realise you would be here this early.”
“It’s ok.” I made to leave.
“Sir?” Her voice was small as if all her confidence has been sucked away.
“What is it?”
The receptionist seemed to shrink and swallowed whatever she was going to say, “Enjoy your stay.” She gave me a weak smile.
I nodded, “I want to eat breakfast upstairs in ten minutes.”
I pulled Mia’s hand yanking her away as the receptionist fumbled with the receiver, no doubt about to call the entire staff for duty.
“You’re a charmer,” Mia said as she followed me through the lobby and over to the entertainment areas.
We bypassed the dining room; it was packed full of guests all enjoying a meal from the extensive buffet. I may have gone overboard when I created the menu, but I never wanted anyone to be hungry when they left my establishment.
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