6| Gio and Gia.

ALMA

My heart began to pound really hard against my chest after he suspected my motives. Fuck. If these kids had not come in here at the worst time, I would’ve been long gone. Gio and Gia, his twin boy and girl, came in just as I had finished gathering the bedding and curtains that I was supposed to tie into a rope and lower down with.

They held placards with Get Well Soon inscribed on them, saying they heard that a sick person was in here. While that was very sweet of them, I hated that they had to hinder my escape.

He asked the maid to take them away, leaving just me and him alone in the room.

“You have met my kids,” he remarked as he stepped closer to me.

I recoiled when he got too close, and the feral look in his eyes was just too dangerous and intimidating. He didn’t stop until my back collided with the wall, and he leaned in, slamming his palm on the wall above me.

“Alma Martelli,” he called sternly, his cold eyes boring into mine, “what were you trying to do with the bedding and curtains?”

I shook my head and swallowed.

He leaned closer to my neck, his hot breath fanning my skin and making my body burn with fire. His hand suddenly grabbed my sides and gently caressed them, his eyes never leaving mine.

My core throbbed at this simple act, burning for him to fuck me senselessly.

Fuck, what was I thinking? Why was my body reacting this crazily to him when I was supposed to be nauseated by him?

“You cannot escape me, Alma.” His sultry voice held darkness to it, making my chest heave up and down.

He continued staring deeply into my eyes, as if he was staring into my soul. And I was in a mental battle with myself, trying to choose whether to push him away or just give in to the fucking temptation and wrap my lips around his.

He didn’t even make it any easier on me as he suddenly ran his thumb along my bottom lip, and I could swear that I could see lust and want flickering in his own eyes.

Suddenly, he pushed himself away from me and quickly turned around, raking his fingers through his hair. He sighed heavily, then turned to look at me again.

“Since you have refused to eat, I am taking you out. Maybe you’d trust the food from the restaurant. Let’s call it our first date. Evelyn will help you get dressed,” he groaned and didn’t even wait for a response before dashing out of the room.

A satisfactory smile spread across my lips at that information. He just handed me the best escape plan on a platter.

Just as he said, a maid called Evelyn walked in after about two hours, holding a black sequin mid-thigh dress.

Evelyn helped me style my hair into a loose bun, with curls hanging off my face. She also applied light makeup on my face, improving my shine. The dress fit beautifully on my body, and I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I couldn’t wait to be free from Lazzaro.

I just had to find my way home, and my father would kick his fucking ass for kidnapping his daughter. I wondered where he was taking me anyway, and how he intended to hide me from my father.

The door pushed open and Lazzaro walked in. He looked really handsome in his blue tuxedo, with his hair sleeked backwards. He was hot.

I let out a long hiss when I caught myself having such thoughts. I had to be insane.

He gestured at Evelyn to leave, and she scurried out of the room.

Then, his eyes roamed from my head to toe. His gaze burned my skin so much so that I felt a weird feeling crawling through my stomach. Afterwards, he walked over to me and stood behind me, turning me gently to face the mirror.

I wanted to push him away, but I held my breath, reminding myself that this would be over soon.

He placed an emerald green necklace on my neck, and delicately traced my collarbone with his fingers, our eyes locking through the mirror.

My heart hammered against my chest, chills running down my spine. I swallowed and reminded myself that I didn’t feel anything for this man. This was just my body deceiving me. The confusion would clear up after I finally escaped tonight.

“You look stunning, Alma,” he suddenly said, his baritone voice going straight to my core and making it throb ridiculously.

What the hell was wrong with me?

He stepped back a little and adjusted his jacket. “I must warn you before we go out. Do not ever think that you can run away from me. Your father and I have already shaken hands on you. The contract has been signed. So, do not try anything stupid.”

Before I could reply, he dialed a number on his phone and handed it to me.

Don Lamberto. The name on the screen read.

I quickly took it and placed it on my ear.

“What is it?” Papa’s voice groaned from the other end of the phone. “I already signed the contract. What else do you want?”

My insides twisted violently and it felt as if my world came crumbling around me.

“Papa...” My voice cracked as I whispered. “Did you really...”

“Alma?” he quickly said, interrupting me. “Oh God. Alma. Finally. I have been so worried about you. Tell me, is he treating you badly?”

“Please tell me it’s not true. Tell me you are not throwing me away like that,” I quickly blurted out, tears stinging my eyes.

He went quiet for a moment before exhaling sharply. “It is for the best.”

“Zita just died and you are giving me to your enemy? What is for the best here? This is for the worse. This man is going to kill me. I know it!” I yelled into the phone.

“He wouldn’t dare,” he growled.

“Come and take me out of here. Please,” my lips trembled.

“Time up.” Lazzaro forcefully took the phone from my hand and ended the call.

Inching closer, he clutched my chin between his fingers and lifted my face to level my eyes with his.

He shook his head and let out a sharp tut, “Your father made a huge mistake signing that contract.”

“Get it over with. Do it. Kill me just like you did my sister!” I screamed, fury and terror strangling what reasoning I had left as I began to violently hit his chest.

“As you wish!” he snarled and before I knew what was happening, he pulled his gun out and held it against my head.

The feeling of the cold metal on my skin made me freeze in place.