19

"For f*ck's sake, are you trying to kill me?! My one month isn't over yet!" I gasped, clinging to the seatbelt that saved my face from banging into the dashboard, and I glared at him.

"This Rico, where is he? I want to know every detail about him!" Lorenzo growled, glowering at me like I was his worst nemesis, and I almost flinched.

His anger wasn't directed at me, so why should I be afraid? And I would have the same reaction if I was told someone tried to kill Clara. Hell, I'd throw hands.

"Sheesh, calm down. You're pissed that someone tried to kill her years ago but don't mind marrying her off to someone like Silvano." I snorted as I arranged my hair that had fallen to my face because of his sudden stop.

"And I have no idea where Rico is. The last I heard of him was that he was nowhere to be found; even the police couldn't find him." I shrugged my shoulders and adjusted the seatbelt. "Honestly Clara and I were scared that he was going to pop up out of nowhere to have his revenge. He traumatised me once, and I didn't want to relive that experience again. He really beat the s—"

"He what!" Lorenzo snarled, and I winced not only at the sound but also at the blaring of horns behind us.

"Why did you stop driving? You're blocking other people!" I scolded him, and horns blared again.

"F*ck them." He scowled but continued driving.

"I never thought you could be so dramatic. Why are you pissed?" I rolled my eyes.

I hadn't even told him that Rico's beating got me hospitalised for three months and Clara had to empty her account to pay my bills. Bad idea. He would go ballistic and lose his mind, which was strange. He was going to kill me, yet he was pissed that someone hurt me years ago. His mind was loco.

"Some motherf*cker almost killed you and Clara, and you expect me to be all smiles and giggles?" He snarled, gripping the steering wheel so hard I swear he was going to rip it apart.

"But he didn't, and now we're A-OK. Plus, we haven't seen him in four years; I doubt he'll crawl out from whatever hole he's in anytime soon." I shrugged.

"I'll make sure he doesn't. I'll make sure he's buried there." Lorenzo said slowly, and though his eyes were watching the road, the venom and malice in them froze my stomach.

Somehow I hoped Rico was dead or remained hidden wherever he was because if Lorenzo found him... the poor guy was going to wish he had never been born.

~•~•~•~•~

"Ooo, snazzy." I grinned as I gawked at the beautiful, large hotel room. Was it even a hotel room or an apartment? With how big and well-furnished it was, it could pass as the latter.

Turning around to Lorenzo, I raised my brow as the porter dropped our bags in the room.

"Is this your room or mine?" I asked as Lorenzo tipped him.

"It's mine," he replied as the door shut behind him.

"And what about mine?" I frowned and crossed my arms over my chest.

Where did he expect me to sleep, or had he forgotten he dragged me along? He didn't expect me to pay for my own room, did he? That would be a new low level for him! And stingy too. I doubt I could afford the cheapest room here.

"You'll be sleeping here." He said as he took off his watch.

"You're a terrible jokester. If you didn't want to pay for my room, you could have just said it." I shook my head as I walked to the door. He really went that low. "Unfortunately, I can't, so I'll get myself somewhere cheaper and—"

"You're not going anywhere." He grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

"I am because it seems you didn't make any arrangements for me, so I have to make them for myself. I'm sure there'll be a small, cheaper hotel nearby. You can come pick me up when it's time for the party." I huffed, trying but obviously failing to yank my arm out of his firm yet tight grip.

"I wasn't joking when I said you're staying here, in this room, with me." He said.

"I can't do that; I'll be uncomfortable." I protested, but a little, sly part of me was giddy and blushy.

Well, not a little part, a huge part of me was giddy, but I couldn't let him think I was pleased with the idea. I was a classy lady.

"This is a punishment, vixen; it was never meant to be comfortable." He chuckled, pulling me closer, pressing my chest against his, and my body flushed.

"Is it? Or are you just looking for an excuse to have me by your side longer?" I purred, brushing my fingers against his light stubble, and his jaw tightened. "Careful now, you might get too used to my presence and have a hard time letting me go."

"I do not plan on letting you go," he said, tracing his thumb over my arm.

"Right. You're hellbent on killing me; how could I forget?" I rolled my eyes, and my lips curved to a wicked smirk. "Just so you know, I'm quite addicting, and I plan to use that to my advantage."

"How so?" He teased, amusement glinting in his eyes.

"I'll worm my way into your dead heart, leaving a mark so big that when you kill me, everywhere you look and everything you touch will remind you of me." I stood on the tip of my toe and whispered against his ear, my hot breath deliberately brushing his lobe. "You'll want me back, but it will be too late; I'll be dead, far out of your reach. The thought of knowing how miserable and tormented you'll be will make my soul rest in perfect peace."

Lorenzo grabbed a fistful of my hair and forced me to face him. His dark eyes were colder and stormier than I had ever seen, and my grin widened.

So, I was having an effect on him. Perfect.

"You have quite a delusional mind, Gwen." He growled, gripping my hair tighter, and my core quivered.

"It's not delusional if I make it come true, is it? I bet I can make you obsessed with me." I teased as my pulse raced.

"Oh," his lips curled to a devilish smirk, and he licked his bottom lip. "I'd love to see you try."