With This Ring (To Have And To Hold Duet #1) - Natasha Knight Page 0,41
of the closet carrying a garment bag. Before I can ask what it is, he asks me if I’m ready to go.
“Shopping?”
He nods.
“Why?”
“Do you want to wear that dress day in and day out?”
“No, but—”
“Besides, we need to get you a gown.”
“A gown? Why?”
“We’re going to a gala tonight.” He opens the bedroom door.
“A what?”
“It’s a children’s charity. I donated some money, and the gala should hopefully raise more.”
“You donated to a children’s charity?”
“Don’t look so shocked. Most of it lined the pocket of a politician we need on our side.”
“Ah, the angle.”
“Everyone has an angle. Even you, Little Kitten. Let’s go.”
I walk out. “I don’t have an angle.”
“No?” He falls into step beside me on the stairs.
“No.”
“What about getting your brother out of his cell? Isn’t that your angle?”
“That’s not an angle. An angle is some ulterior motive.”
“And you’re being nice to me because?”
I’m about to open my mouth to argue when one of his men meets us at the front door. “Chopper or boat, sir?” he asks.
“Boat. You’ll follow ours. Bring Alec.”
“Sir, we have—”
“Bring Alec.”
“Yes, sir.”
Cristiano takes his coat off the hook and realizes then I don’t have one. He puts his over my shoulders.
“I’m fine,” I say, trying to shrug it off. It smells like him. And it feels nice around my shoulders. Safe.
“It’ll be cold on the water.” He pushes it back on and we walk outside.
“Don’t you need one?”
“We’ll pick one up for you when we get to the shop then I can have mine back. And before you do anything stupid with it, it’s one of my favorite coats.”
“Got it. So, like I shouldn’t throw it overboard?” I ask as we walk out to where two speedboats are docked.
“You do and I’ll throw you in to get it.”
“Ha-ha.”
“Water’s cold this time of year.”
I roll my eyes.
He holds out his hand to help me on board.
In the distance I see a sailboat, too. It’s bigger than these. I look back at the house, at the island. “So, mafia business is going well? What makes the most profit? Trafficking drugs or people?”
“Get your ass on the boat, Scarlett.”
I take his hand only because I have to as the water’s a little choppy. “Are you sure it’s safe?”
“Can you swim?”
“Are you serious? If this thing—”
“Relax. I’m fucking with you.” He steps on board after pulling the ropes free that have been holding the boat to the dock. “And just so you know, I don’t deal in flesh trade. My family never did.”
“Oh.” I study him. “Really? What is that, like a code or something? Only drugs which by the way also hurt people.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about and I advise you to shut the fuck up.”
“I’m curious. Explain it to me.”
He walks toward me, and I back up a step. “Ever hear the expression better to keep your mouth shut and let them think you’re an idiot, than open it and confirm their suspicions?”
“Fuck off.” I turn to walk away. He catches me by my arm and twists so I turn back to him. “Get off.”
“Be careful, Little Kitten.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“Then put those baby claws away.”
“Fuck you.”
“Careful or I’m going to give you something you desperately need.”
“I don’t need a fuck, especially from you, thank you.”
“You’ll wish that’s what I had in mind.”
“What the hell does that even mean?”
He leans in close. “Push me again. Just one more time and I’ll show you.”
I glare and my mouth, oddly and completely out of character, does as my mind instructs and shuts up.
He gives me one of his signature grunts, releases me, and digs keys out of his pocket.
“So, they’ll follow us?” I ask pointing to the three men who look like secret service in the next boat.
Cristiano nods and starts the engine. “You’ll want to sit down.”
“I’m fine,” I start, and I know he jerks the boat on purpose because he grins like a wildcat when I instantly land on my butt on the floor.
“Jerk,” I mutter as I maneuver to sit on one of the cushioned seats.
He gives me a smirk. “You should listen to your elders.”
“What are you? Twenty-eight? Twenty-nine?”
“Twenty-seven.”
“You’re not an elder.”
“I’m older than you. That makes me your elder.”
I shake my head, reminding myself to stay focused. I want some answers about my uncle, and I want to know his idea about Noah.
“Why don’t they just come with us?” I point to the boat that’s following close by.