Memories of two nights ago slip behind my eyes, recalling him standing on the edge of the roof, drunk as a skunk, and what little care he gave for preserving his life. Sounds about right.
“So, being the bike aficionado that I am ...”
“Oh, like hell you are,” Mrs. Donovan interrupts, shoving her hand into the popcorn bag. “You probably asked him all these questions about his bike, and you couldn’t give two shits about riding.”
Tracey’s grin stretches wider. “You’re absolutely right, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I mean, this guy looked like a goddamn rock star. And the way women flirted with him? I just couldn’t stand the idea of not approaching him. So we talk for a few minutes. He decides to give me a ride on his bike after, and before I know it, we’re going about a hundred-thirty on the highway.”
“Tracey! Are you nuts?” Mrs. Donovan slaps her, shaking her head. “You girls better not do something so stupid.”
“It was … fucking awesome.” Tracey giggles and leans forward to dodge another swat from her friend. “He’s apparently a total adrenaline junkie. Gets off on that shit. So, he pulls the bike off to the side of the road, and he is all over me. I mean, an absolute beast. Pulling my hair. Yanking my clothes off. Kissing me like he means it.” The smile on her face withers to a frown. “I’m lying there, damn near buck-ass naked, panting for this guy. Like, just take me already, right? And … nothing happens. He’s hard as stone, but he won’t let me get him off. So he takes me back to the party, we part ways, and …” Lips pursed, she shrugs. “I never hear from him again.”
“What’s up with that?” Kelsey’s lip curls, but a part of me is relieved. I don’t know why, really, but I’m glad that nothing happened between them.
“No idea. Worst part is? I know he would’ve been good. You can just tell, that devious look in their eyes, like they’re about to fuck up your world, you know?”
“Okay. Story time is officially over.” Mrs. Donovan swipes the bag out of Tracey’s hand and ushers her friend up off the bed. “C’mon. These girls don’t want a bunch of old ladies hanging around all night.”
Tracey’s eyes zero in on mine. “Be careful around him, Izzy. I have a feeling he hasn’t changed all that much. Something sweet and innocent like yourself? Well, the bad ones just seem to flock to that. Like a moth to flame.” With a sigh, she pushes off the bed and pats my leg. “‘Course, everybody knows you can take care of yourself.”
Chapter 26
Lucian
I swirl the liquor in my glass, staring at the empty bed on camera, where Isa has slept all week.
The kiss on the roof was an act of a drunken fool, but the lingering effects of it are something I can’t seem to ignore, as much as I’ve tried. Even in my stupor, I could taste the temptation on her lips, the black magic behind her kiss. Like the sound of her voice, it calls to some dark and primitive side of me that longs to place her on a shelf, so no one else can touch her.
What is it about this girl? Watching her leave this afternoon left me with a strange sensation I’ve not felt in a long time. I hate that I wonder what she’s doing right now. Who she’s with. Experience tells me these feelings will begin to fester and evolve into my least favorite thing of all: obsession.
A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts, and I lift my gaze to find Rand standing in the doorway.
“A minute of your time, Sir?”
“Of course.” I lean forward and click the remote that shuts off the camera I’ve been staring at for the last half hour.
“It seems the shipment was an oversight. A new employee. I’ve taken the liberty of firing him.”
“Good. And how is our friend behaving?” Leaving Franco Scarpinato in a state of shock and anger probably wasn’t the best idea.
“It seems you were right about holding the shipment offshore. All has been quiet, and they’ve offered to discuss negotiations at your leisure.”
“We’ll let them wait a bit longer. Wouldn’t want to seem too hasty.”
“Of course, Sir. A very wise move on your part.” Arms crossed in front of him, Rand gives a nod. “I just wanted to provide a quick update. I’ll let you get back to your work.”
“Before you go, I’d like you to look into something for me.”
“Absolutely. What can I do?”
“I want you to find whatever you can on Isadora.”
Clearing his throat, he rolls his shoulders back, as if the request is a discomfort he doesn’t want to confess. Understandable, as I’ve never inquired about any of the workers before. Never really gave a shit. But then, none of them ever pulled me from the edge of a three-story building, either. “I have her interview file, Master. I’ll fetch it immediately.”
“No. Dig deeper. Use whatever resources you need. I want everything on her. Everything.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll get in touch with our contacts and see what I can find.”
“Keep this between you and me. Whatever you find on her.”
“You have my word.” He nods and shifts his arms behind his back. “Is there anything else? Would you like me to fetch Giulia for you?”
Giulia. There was a time she was a source of relief. A means of relieving tension, but lately, I can’t even bring myself to entertain so much as a blowjob from her. “No. I wouldn’t.”
“If I may speak freely, Master.”
“I’d rather you didn’t.”
“Very well.” Turning away from me, he heads toward the door, and I sigh.
“What?”
When he spins around to face me, his brows are crinkled, hands fidgeting. “It’s just that … the times you’ve opted not to use her services, you’ve been rather …”
I stay quiet, waiting to see if he has the balls to tell me.
“Irritable. I’ve noticed that hasn’t been the case, particularly in the last week.”
My thoughts flicker back to three nights ago, when I had Isa beneath me, and the sweet flavor of whatever strawberry shit she had on her lips puckering my tongue. “Threatening the mafia seems to agree with me, I guess.”
Rand snorts a laugh and lowers his gaze. “Perhaps. I’ll find what I can on the girl. I should also mention that renovations for the atrium begin tomorrow. Any particular theme you’d like the designer to focus on?”
“Surprise me.”
“Very well. Goodnight, Master.”
“’Night.” The moment he exits the office, I grab my drink, lean back in my chair, and flick the monitor back on.
Chapter 27
Lucian
Eight years ago …
“You make me proud, my boy.” My father stretches across his desk to fill the glass set before me with the same amber liquor that fills his own. “Top of your class, and a Masters from Harvard. The world is your oyster, Lucian.” He lifts his glass in a toast, and tips it back.