Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
The blonde’s question is clearly meant to insinuate that they have been involved before.
“I’m still going to be busy,” he says, not looking at her, keeping his attention on me.
“Are you sure about that?” the blonde insists.
“Yes.” He exhales, sounding impatient.
“Well, you know where to find me.” Catherine runs her hand over Dario’s shoulder before walking away.
I feel a wave of disgust at the situation. She definitely wouldn’t act like that if they weren’t intimate. And that’s just one more reason not to trust the man sitting across from me. I clear my throat.
“Well, I’ve heard you, and I want to thank you for showing me that recording, but now I need to go.”
“Wait… She’s no one.”
“That’s none of my business. You don’t need to explain.”
“Yes, I do. Catherine and I had something a while ago, but I think she still hasn’t gotten over it.”
“She was your girlfriend?”
“It wasn’t that kind of relationship.”
“All right. You really don’t need to explain anything to me.”
“Sophia…”
“I have to go.” I stand and start to walk away.
Right now, I need to focus on finding a way to get out of this place alive, not worrying about Dario’s flings.
I can’t trust him. The smartest thing to do is to stay away and forget anything I feel for him. Dario isn’t the right man for me, not with so many secrets.
I go back to my room, making sure to lock the door as soon as I’m inside. Maybe being alone wasn’t such a good idea. I’m afraid Xavier might try something, even knowing his plan. I need to start thinking about how I’m going to get out of here safely. Should I have accepted Dario’s help? No. I have to handle this on my own.
✽ ✽ ✽
SALVATORE
Finding out that the man planning to kill Sophia with Xavier is one of Mattia’s men makes me wonder if he’s doing all this to get to me or if it’s just another one of his filthy businesses.
But that doesn’t matter, because he’s going way too far. And even though Sophia rejects my help because she doesn’t trust me, I won’t let anything happen to her.
As if all this weren’t enough, Catherine decided to show up and make everything worse. When I see her again, I’ll make it very clear I don’t tolerate that kind of behavior. She’s nothing to me, and she knows it.
Even though the cameras in Sophia’s room aren’t working, the hallway outside is being monitored around the clock by my men.
Even so, I can’t close my eyes, worried about her and consumed by my hatred for Mattia. When I finally get my hands on that bastard, he’s going to regret ever being born.
My men notify me when a cart with food and drinks is delivered to Sophia’s room.
That’s the only movement at her door early in the evening. Apparently, Xavier and his partner are going to stick to the plan and try to approach her only once she leaves the cruise.
They know that if they try anything with me here, I’ll destroy them. What they don’t know is that it doesn’t matter when they act—they’re already dead.
✽ ✽ ✽
SOPHIA
I’m surprised by room service and hesitate a little before opening the door, afraid. But I let the man in with the cart after he tells me it was sent by Dario.
I find some appetizers and a bottle of wine on the cart. I imagine his intention is to try to make me relax. He knows I’m terrified. Despite everything, he still seems to care about me. I pour myself a glass of wine, thinking maybe it will help me sleep a little. After a few sips, I lie down, already feeling drowsy.
✽
It’s completely dark when I open my eyes, feeling the mattress shift under me. My eyelids are heavy, but I force them open.
My heart races, and panic floods me when I realize there’s a man on top of me.
I scream and try to push him away, desperate, but he’s stronger than me. Wrapping one hand around my neck, he squeezes, making it impossible to breathe.
I thrash, trying to break free from his grip, until I feel my face being hit hard.
Tears slide down the sides of my face as the reality of what’s about to happen sinks in.
No. No. No. I fight to break free in vain, feeling my nightgown being pushed up to my waist as I struggle to breathe.
He’s not just trying to kill me. Fuck. No. I won’t let this happen.
I’m almost choking when I notice the lamp to my right. I don’t think twice. I stretch my arm with the last bit of strength I have, grab the object, and slam it hard against the bastard’s head.
The impact forces him to release my neck, and I kick him while sucking air back into my lungs.
I manage to get out of the bed and run to the door, crying and screaming for help.
As soon as one foot crosses the threshold, I see Dario rushing toward me down the hallway. Four other men are right behind him.
I run straight into his arms, throwing myself at him. He holds me tightly.
“Go! Go!” he growls to the men as I cry against his chest. “It’s okay, docinho. You’re safe. Everything’s going to be fine,” he whispers, trying to calm me.
I can’t stop crying, trembling and sobbing.
Lifting me into his arms, Dario carries me through the corridors to his room. He sets me on the bed, but I don’t let go of him, terrified, clinging to his body. I don’t want to be alone. Not this time.
“Please… don’t go,” I beg.
“All right. I’m not going anywhere.” He climbs into the bed and holds me tightly against his chest. “Shhhh… Everything’s going to be fine.”
I cry endlessly in his arms until exhaustion takes over and I finally fall asleep.