me realize I need to speak up now before it’s too late.
“I need your help, please.” My voice comes out hoarse from recently gagging, so I clear my throat and say it clearer. “I need your help, please.”
“Shut the fuck up, Aria.” Weston tries to get out of the men’s hold, but they just tighten their grip on him. It gives me the confidence to stand. This might be my only chance to be set free.
“H-He…Weston…He’s holding me captive. Please, can you call the police?” I stand, and then remembering I’m naked, I wrap one arm around my chest to cover my breasts, and with my other hand, I try to cover my sex the best I can.
Giovanni assesses me for a few moments. “Who are you?”
“She’s nobody! Don’t worry about her!” Weston’s outburst has Giovanni smirking. Weston just showed his cards.
Moving closer to Weston, Giovanni lets out a soft humorless chuckle. “I think I will worry about her because you seem extremely worried about her. Now shut your mouth.” He walks over to me until we’re only a few inches apart. “Who are you?”
“I-I’m Aria. My mom died…well, I’m not sure how long ago. But he’s been holding me captive in the—”
“Shut the fuck up, Aria!” Weston bellows, effectively cutting me off, and for the first time Giovanni shows a hint of anger. He stalks over to Weston and punches him right in the face. His head jerks to the side and blood instantly pours from his mouth. “I told you to shut up.”
“Can you please call the police?” I beg.
Giovanni walks slowly back toward me. Instinctively, I tighten my arms around myself. He studies me for a moment before he raises his hand to my face. I flinch out of habit, fearful he’s going to strike me, but instead he wipes a falling tear from my cheek, his face completely devoid of all emotion. “Please,” I repeat.
“No, I’m sorry but I can’t do that.” His hand leaves my cheek, taking its warmth with it.
“No.” The word is meant to be a question, but I heard him correctly. It hits me that this man isn’t going to save me. More tears well up in my eyes, and my chin trembles. My hands are shaking, and I’m about to lose it. A sob escapes and tears of hopelessness gush down my cheeks.
“No.” I repeat the word one more time to force myself to accept it.
“Maybe I’ll just take her as payment.” He’ll what? Did this guy just volunteer to take me as Weston’s payment?
“Boss.”
“No fucking way.”
One of Giovanni’s men and Weston both speak at the same time, sounding as confused as I feel, but Giovanni ignores them both, keeping his eyes on me for a beat longer. I think maybe he’s going to save me, but then he turns his back on me and walks out of the room with Weston and his men.
“Please!” I implore as the door closes, leaving me in a room with Weston’s associates. I drop to my knees at how cruel life can be.
Chapter Five
GIOVANNI
“It’s a pleasure doing business with you.” I stand and shake the hand of a high-power defense attorney. He’s married with two kids and he’s just paid a small fortune to be an exclusive member of La Stella’s Gentleman’s Club. Just another example of a man not being faithful. But who the hell am I to judge when it means more money in my pocket.
“Thank you, Mr. Valentino.”
I walk him out of my office and down the hall to the common room to meet Cecilia, so she can help him pick out the woman he’d like to spend time with. “I’m looking for a companion. It’s not about sex,” he said. If I had a dollar for every man who walked through my doors and tried to convince me and themselves that it’s not about sex, I would be even richer than I already am.
“Cecilia, this is Mr. Steele. Please show him around. He’s looking for a companion.”
“Will do, Sir.” She beams at Mr. Steele, giving him a flirtatious wink.
I walk over to the bar and have a seat on one of the cushioned stools, in need of a drink. “Emilio, whiskey neat.”
“Sure thing.” He makes my drink and sets it on the bar top.
As I sip the whiskey, enjoying the warmth it brings, my mind can’t get off the beautiful woman at the senator’s house. When she begged me to save her, it took everything in me not to pick