I had never heard Tony and Tessa ooh and aah so much about Scott as I told them detailed stories about the photos I brought for them to see. Even Marlene, who naturally liked Scott because she liked everyone, seemed to gain a new appreciation for the romantic that he was. He really was a sweetheart when he wanted to be. I felt so loved all over again, listening to them gush about my wonderful boyfriend. Over an hour passed this way.
"Where is this one?" Marlene asked, showing me a photo of a hot air balloon ride we took in the Netherlands."Cut the crap. Where's the good stuff? The real shit?" Tony asked, slamming her hand down onto the table."Excuse me?" I asked, perplexed. "What do you mean? This is incredibly romantic.""She means the rumours of all the places he fucked you in were all over campus for six months, but you haven't told a single story of him sticking it to you in Europe," said Tessa with a shrug."In fucking gorgeouDid you blush for that one, Stace? Baby, the idea that I might hurt you devastated me so much that night in Rome. It was all I could do to let myself pleasure you. Remember how I helped you drown out the pain. All he wants for you is pain. Let me be the joy he can never offer you."What was it like these past few days, being back here? Playing a game with life and death stakes with me? Against someone who is your equal?" he implored her, tempting her.I wasn't sure if it was working or not, but he was so taken with her, he flat out ignored me. As though unwilling to win by some trick or antics.This one was going to hurt a little, but she needed to hear it."Clearly telling you I love you every day isn't enough. For some fucked up reason, you don't believe I will always love you, no matter what dumb shit we go through," I said, willing her to believe that that was as true today as it had been that night in P
What the fuck was wrong with this fucked up son of bitch? That was his fucking son. Her fucking brother. Joey's eyes were closed and he wasn't moving anymore. He already looked dead, but if there was even a chance of saving him, I had to make it happen. She wouldn't come back from this. No matter how much bad blood was between her and Joey, she would never be able to accept killing him.Was that hesitation I saw in her eyes? It was there for just a second, after she threw me a glance, but it was definitely there. Wasn't it? I was the one that said all the versions of her were mine. Not Don Angelo's, but fucking mine. He couldn't have a single bit of her.Somehow I knew she wouldn't believe that though. I was not even sure what I believed anymore. The shock was just so severe. There were no right words for this situation. I didn't have a clever thing to say to make her stop. At least present day Scott didn't.I thought back to
Jeff was going to lose his shit when he found out what I walked into despite him expressly forbidding me from accompanying either him or Luca."A psychotic murderer wants his apprentice to kill you. Just because you happen to be sleeping with her, doesn't mean you should be stupid enough to go near her right now, Scott," Jeff preached to me just this morning.In hindsight, he was probably right. Based on Luca and I losing the shoot out that ensued when we finally found the right place, I'd say we were dead men walking. Even if I knew how this would play out beforehand, I'd have come out here to find her regardless. Was it stupid that I was happy about seeing her soon? I could feel myself becoming calmer with every step I took towards her.Three fucking days of torturing myself with where she was, how she was, whether she was dead or alive. I was just relieved to know that I'd found her. Stupidly hopeful despite the implication
Megawatt smile that brought out the most flawless dimples. Alluring big brown eyes tempting you into sin. Strong, rugged, facial features that could make a nun blush. Soft, kissable lips. Dark curls daring you to reach out and touch them. A body made for manhandling you.I can't remember who you are, but baby you could take a girl to hell and make her beg to stay.Because I was in hell and yet I just couldn't quit. Had to kiss him one more time. Hold his hand one more time. Hear him speak one more time.Stay awake. Stay alert. Next question: what was his name? Remember his name, Stacy. Remember his name.Distracted by apparitions of my mystery man, Joey caught me off guard, wrestling me to the ground."Die, you traitorous bitch," he said, lowering the muzzle of his gun to my forehead."That's sorella to you," I said, not hesitating to shove my gun into his groin and pul
Whose name was the property in? Jenny? Collette? Joey? Not mine. Never mine. Come on Stacy, whose fucking name was the property in? By my count of sunrises and sunsets, this was day three of being out here in these woods. My throat was as dry as a desert, my head throbbed painfully and the hunger pains were kicking my ass. That's how I got the lovely gift in my arm, courtesy of Joey. The little pip squeak wasn't getting another bullet in me. I'd sooner blow my own brains out than go out like that.Collette. The woods I was currently roaming belonged to Collette. At least on paper. She didn't come out here. When Don Angelo brought me hunting as a child, it was just the two of us. Despite the bad bitch Collette thought she was, she really couldn't handle the nitty gritty of being a don's wife. The one time Don Angelo brought her along and I killed a deer so he wouldn't beat her that night, she damn near lost her fucking mind. You're welcome, mom.Remembering the answer that time took to
"Because he wants her to be the one that does it. He knows I'll come for her. Killing me is the ultimate declaration of allegiance to him," I said, her voice chanting in my head once more. Make you kill Scott… make you kill Scott…"Exactly. Now do you get it? Get your people and your shit together, Director Brady. We're going to Chicago," said Luca impatiently. "Chicago is safer for Don Angelo, since it's his domain, but we have every available agent out looking for him. Why would he risk travelling with a hostage?" Tanya insisted, frustrating Luca. "Make your case, Cattaneo," Jeff insisted."I guess you don't get it. New York makes her happy. Comforts her. Makes her feel like a good person. New York is where she got off on Scott's dick for the first time. New York is you, Scott. If Don Angelo wants his Stacy back, he won't stay here," said Luca. "He'll take her home, where he fucking tortured her for years. He'll try to fuck