Kidnapping? Maybe

CHAPTER 2

Saint's POV

Mia Salvatore was fifteen the last time I saw her.

Now she stood before me, a grown woman. Too beautiful for her own good. Endowed with deep brown eyes that could melt steel, soft lips that begged to be ruined. Curves that made it hard to remember what the hell I was doing here.

For a fraction of a moment, the stain on my pant didn't matter. The crowd didn't matter. The press flashing cameras didn't matter.

Because I knew that face. And the way her breath hitched when she met my gaze told me she knew me too.

But I couldn't afford the recognition when dozens of eyes were watching.

So I hardened my voice.

“Excuse me,” I said coldly. “Who are you?”

She gasped lightly, her lips parted but no words came out.

Shit. She was even beautiful when she was stunned.

And damn my brother for ever touching her.

The moment she got to Italy, I knew Connor had done something stupid. He always did. And I hated that I couldn't stop imagining my hands around his throat for it.

“Mr Saint,” Gabriel's voice came from the stage, snapping me back.

I glanced down at my pants. A faint stain of wine mocked me.

“Cavàlo,” I muttered under my breath.

“I-I'm so sorry,” she stammered, her voice trembling.

“It's fine,” I bit out and turned to leave.

Bruno followed behind me as I stormed into the restroom.

“Boss, should I get you another suit?” he asked, trying not to sound terrified.

I dabbed at the stain with my handkerchief, my jaw clenched. “No, it's just a mark. I'm not leaving.”

“Well, should I fire the girl who did this to you?” His voice lowered. “She could've caused a scene.”

“I'll deal with her myself,” I cut him off.

He moved in front of me when I tried to leave. “Boss, you're still stained. The press will have a field day if they catch a shot.”

“They can rot,” I brushed past him. “Just make sure Sergio doesn't hear a word.”

When I re-entered the hall, the lights had dimmed for the announcements. People clapped, and laughed with fake smiles glued on their faces.

Then some reporter decided to test my patience.

“Rumors says you're not single, Mr Saint. Is it true?”

I turned my head slowly, locking eyes with him. “My personal life isn't up for discussion.”

Another chuckled. “But you're the Valerio heir. It's expected–”

“Expected.” I echoed, cutting him off. “But not required.”

The hall went dead silent for a while. And after that, I left the stage and the party carried on.

When the event finally ended, I was already getting prepared to head back to the villa when Bruno joined me.

“That went better than expected,” he remarked, whistling into the cool night air.

“Did Sergio find out about what happened?” I asked, pinching the bridge of my nose as the car pulled up in front of us.

“No. I made sure he didn't.”

I nodded once. Bruno opened the door and just as I moved to step in, I caught sight of her.

She was leaning against the glass railing, brushing her bare shoulders like she was patiently waiting for someone.

Someone. The thought of it snapped something in me.

Who could it be?

It'd been years and Mia Salvatore wouldn't know her way around Italy. She'd been in Berlin almost her whole life, and got no clue how dangerous it could be in this place.

I wanted to ignore her. I wanted to just hop in as Bruno instructed. But I didn't know when I shut the door and started storming toward her.

She was looking at the skylines now, like they reminded her of something –or maybe someone. But by the time my hand shot out and gripped her arm, she flinched.

“M-Mr Saint?”

Suddenly the name sounded wrong in her mouth. And I hated it coming from her.

“Do you have any idea what happens to girls who stay out this late in Rome?” I asked, my tone blunt.

She blinked, trying to pull from my grip but I was stronger.

“I was just waiting for my ride,” she muttered, voice barely above a whisper.

“And it's taking so long.” I bit out.

Her eyes flashed, a spark of defiance as she wriggled out of my grip. “What's your problem? I obviously said I was just waiting for my ride.”

I gritted. “Your ride isn't coming tonight. It's late.”

“And how do you know that?” she challenged, voice stern. “I thought you didn't know me, Mr Saint.”

I took a step closer, eyes meeting hers. “Don't. Call. Me. That.”

She gulped, taking a step back. “I can find my way around. I'm not a child anymore.”

She turned to walk away, the slit in her dress revealing too much with every step. Her skin glowed under the dim lights.

I should've looked away and returned to Bruno. Damn, I should've minded my business like I always do. But I wasn't heartless enough to let my brother's little pawn get lost in Rome.

In one swift motion, I caught her again, sweeping her off the ground as she gasped and struck my chest. “What are you doing–Saint!”

“Saving you from yourself.”

I carried her to the car, opened the back door, and set her inside before sliding in beside her. The doors locked with a click.

“Drive.” I instructed.

Mia slammed her hands against the glass. “Let me out! Have you lost your mind? This is kidnapping!”

Kidnapping? I liked the sound of that.