I resolve myself to whatever happens next. I can handle it.
Bastiano must see something in my eyes because he quirks his eye brow at me as he takes the silencer off the gun. He hands it back to Giovanni.
“Gio, take Leo home.”
Giovanni doesn’t respond. He stands and the other man, Leo, stands with him as they head towards the side door.
“Stop! That will sound an alarm. Go out the front.”
I gesture to the closed door next to me. Gio changes course without a word and the two men walk out. Lorenzo steps out behind them and shuts the doors behind him.
“You are such an asshole.” I throw at Bastiano.
Before I know it, he is in front of me with his gun pointed at my head.
“What did you say?”
I am not a complete idiot. I do feel a little afraid, but part of me believes he won’t do it. Especially since his silencer just walked out the door.
“You heard me. You are an asshole. Who do you think is going to have to clean that up?” I poke him in the chest. “Me. So thank you for that.”
We stand in silence for a moment before he lowers the gun and wraps his left hand in my hair. He pulls my face to his and crushes his lips into mine. I feel his gun press into my lower back as he wraps his right arm around me.
This wasn’t a gentle kiss. No, this kiss was full of passion and punishment. He is punishing me for my words. He presses against me harder as he pulls my back closer arching me into him. I feel proof that he is just as turned on as I am right now.
He continues to kiss me rough and fast until a knock at the door stops us. He slows the kiss before pulling back and giving me one last peck. He rests his forehead against mine as he looks into my eyes.
“Watch your words around my men, Tesoro.”
Treasure.
He keeps calling me Tesoro and I don’t know what to make of it. I have only met this man twice so using such a term that is reserved for lovers seems too intimate.
“I’ll try.” I retort.
He smirks. “I like your fire.”
Another knock sounds and he sighs deeply.
“I need to deal with this. Sorry about the mess. I will pay for someone to deal with it. You won’t have to clean it. I promise.”
He gives me another quick peck before going to the door.
Him and Lorenzo speak in quiet voices at the door before they open completely.
Bastiano turns to me.
“Do you know the rules of the neighborhood, Sofia?”
“You mean no speaking to the cops? I am not an idiot Bastiano. I won’t say anything.”
He chuckles. “Call me Bash. All my friends do.”
Then he winks at me and I feel my heart stutter. This man is a hurricane. One minute he’s threatening me, then he’s kissing me silly, then he laughs and winks. I don’t know what to make of him.
“Ok, Bash. What are we going to do about our friend here?”
I nod my head to the body I still haven’t had the nerve to look at.
