Page 33 of His Vicious Vow
It feels like fucking forever before she finally goes limp in my arms. I’m wondering if she’s asleep until she nuzzles into me with a sigh. I carry her back into the bedroom. Everything in me screams against putting her down but Cassandra is watching me closely. So even though I resent the fuck out of it, I set her down on the bed.
“I’m taking her with me to Vegas.” Fuck this. I inform Cassandra.
“Absolutely not. Carlo won’t allow it. I won’t allow it.”
“I’m not leaving her here with you. You don’t take care of her. If I leave her here she’ll be a basket case by our wedding day.” I counter.
She straightens to her five-foot two-inch height. “Have you forgotten there is someone out to kill you? My daughter is safest as far away from you as possible. Now that I know what’s going on with her, I will take care of her.”
Anger surges through me. Because fucking hell, she’s right. Until the threat to me is dispensed with, Carlo will protect her. Not because I truly believe he cares for her, but because if she does end up dead it will be the biggest insult he’s ever received and he won’t allow that to happen.
A moan comes from Carina. I run a hand over her hair, she immediately calms. Fuck, I don’t want to leave her.
“Go on. I’ll take care of her.” Cassandra urges me.
“I’m not leaving until she wakes up. I don’t want her hurt I went back to Vegas without saying goodbye.”
Her eyes go big. “You can’t stay in her room.”
“The fuck I can’t. Don’t worry, I’m not going to touch her. I’m also not going to trust her understanding me leaving her without her being able to tell me how much she won’t miss me. It’s fine. I’ve gone many nights without sleep. One more doesn’t matter. What does is ensuring Carina gets what she needs.”
Ignoring her, I go into the bathroom to clean up the water that got on the floor in case she gets up in the middle of the night. I don’t want her slipping and falling. When I come out Cassandra is gone. Crossing the room I flick the lock on the closed door.
In the walk-in closet I’m pissed to find her clothes are here. Everything from her room is in here. This is what freaked Carina out, there was no warning she would be here. I’m still pissed Carlo didn’t tell me what he planned.
It takes a few minutes to find her nightgown drawer. At least I hope like hell this is her stuff to sleep in because it’s too fucking sexy to wear out. Fuck, it’s too sexy to sleep in. This is the kind of thing that’s only on for about five minutes.
Cock hard I take a black silk nightgown to her on the bed. She is out. It’s easy enough to lift her up to unzip her dress. I tell myself not to look but I can’t not. The bra she’s wearing is a whisp of black silk and lace that fastens between her breasts. If I leave it on she’ll hate me almost as much as me taking it off. The underwire will dig into her skin. With a flick of my wrist the bra opens and her breasts are in full glorious view.
I close my eyes tight but I can’t unsee her. So fucking perfect. All I want to do is explore her more with not only my hands but my mouth. Except I want her with me every step, to watch her face in response. Steeling myself, I work the nightgown over her head then down her body—keeping the rest of her from my greedy gaze.
Pulling back the sheet and comforter, I pick her up and settle her back down on the bed. I tuck the covers up under her chin. When I step away almost immediately her brow scrunches up. Without thinking, I run a hand over her forehead. She sighs at my touch. That sigh sends a fist to my chest. Shock at the unfamiliar sensation freezes me in place.
“Sandro?” It’s a whisper.
Flicking my eyes to her face I’m relieved to find her eyes are closed. Whether she’s asleep or not I recognize the need in the word. I slip off my suit jacket, waistcoat, and tie, before pushing off my shoes and climbing into bed with her. I don’t hesitate wrap her in my arms. A sigh slips out of both of us. Hearing it, I can finally admit it—I’m so fucked.
CHAPTER 12
Carina
I come awake slowly and resentfully. Sleep has never been this wonderful. Inhaling deeply, it hits me—the heat surrounding me is Sandro.
“What cologne are you wearing?” I wince as I realize the words slide out of me. Oh god, I woke him up.
Except his answer comes too quickly for him to be asleep. “Bond number 9, and before you say anything I don’t buy it. Bianca bought it for me one Christmas and now it’s something she buys me every year.”
The other thing from last night comes back to me, I pull away from him. He lets me go very slowly. “Someone is trying to kill you.”
An eyebrow goes up. He shakes his head as he rolls off the bed. It’s not fair how unrumpled he is. I would never have believed he just woke up, then again he was awake before I said something. Head down he goes to the overstuffed, blue silk chair in the room, picks up his suit jacket and puts it on. He wraps his tie around his waistcoat and looks like he’s about to leave.
Sitting up, I clutch the covers to my chest. Wait, how the hell did I get into this night gown and where did my bra go? I move, at least my panties are still on. Dang it, that’s not important. I swear I feel him thinking of a way to answer.
“Don’t lie to me, Sandro.” I warn him.
I have no idea what he sees when his eyes finally meet mine. He sits down in the chair. “Yes, someone wants me dead.” Oh god, my stomach twists. “Don’t look so excited. The first hitter was dealt with, the next will be as well. This isn’t the first time someone has wanted me dead. The bullet pulled out of my back wasn’t the last one removed from my body. This is the life. I wear bullet proof clothing. It's saved me in the past, it will again.”
All the mafia men who have died in my lifetime flash through my mind, there have been so many. I have no doubt none of them thought they’d die either. He’s up in front of me, a gentle hand cupping my face as he wipes away a tear I wasn’t aware fell. “You aren’t getting rid of me. By the time we’re married it will be resolved.” It’s a promise. How could he be so certain? “Carina, look at me. Everything will be okay. I need you to stay here where your father will look after you. Plan the wedding with your mother and I’ll be back in three weeks.”