KINLEY I stared at myself in the mirror after getting ready for dinner.I worse a sparkly sequinned dress that ended mid thigh, my hair I had left down and I had put on subtle make up.I hated that the cast messed up the look."Kinley?!"I rolled my eyes and left the bathroom when I heard Talon calling for me."Where's Gianni?" I asked, my eyes scanning the room."He got a business call. He asked that you meet him at the restaurant, so I'm here to get you there.""A business call at this time of night? I'm taking it that it's more along the lines of his illegal business than the legit ones, right?"Talon smirked, "Ask no questions and I will tell no lies. Come on."Once we were in the car I turned to face him, "I'm really curios, Talon. What business call would come in at eight? Is this something dangerous?""Kinley, there is no need to concern yourself with these things.""Of course there is! Have you not noticed that I am practically glued to Gianni's hip lately? If it's something d
KINLEY Gianni pulled me against his body, his grip on my hair tightening.My body betrayed my brain as I melted into his embrace.I moaned into him, my arms reaching around his neck.Suddenly the ringing of his phone distracted us.As he went to retrieve it from his jacket pocket, I was able to come to my senses.I reminded myself that this man had kidnapped me and held me captive, this was so far from healthy.His brow furrowed as he answered the call, "What do you want, Talon?"I made my way into the bedroom, leaving him to deal with his call alone.In the bathroom I splashed some water on my face, staring at myself in the mirror. What was going on with me?Was I developing Stockholm Syndrome?I ran a hand through my hair before going back into the bedroom and laying down on the bed.I was just beginning to doze off when Gianni walked in."Kin?""What?""Talon needs me to go to the club, business only I can take care of. Do you want to go with me?"I sat up, "I feel like I should pu
GIANNI I angrily swiped the access card to the hotel room, slamming the door open as I stormed in."Talon! Che cazzo pensi di fare?!"Talon stood up from the sofa,"What? Gianni, I don't understand-"My fist connected with his face, his nose instantly spurting blood, "I asked what the fuck you think you're doing?!"Talon clutched at his nose, "What the fuck, Gia?! Calm down!""Calm down?! Calm down?! Where is Kinley?!""I'm right here. Why are you screaming?"I turned, she stood in the doorway to the bedroom.I turned back to Talon, "Why did you take her from the club?"Kinley answered, "I asked him to bring me back. Why did you hit him?!" she hobbled over to Talon, her hands on his arms while she asked if he was okay.This angered me more.I wanted her to care for me like that. Why was she so quick to treat Talon in this way, but not me? Had I not done enough to show her I wanted her?Talon sat down and Kinley started wiping at the blood with tissues.I was drunk and angry.A very bad
KINLEY As I opened my eyes, the previous nights events came rushing back to me.I turned over to see Gianni was no longer in the bed, so I got up and made my wah into the bathroom to take a shower before getting dressed and making my way into the living room area.Gianni was walking around on the balcony, phone to his near and speaking animatedly.I glanced at the door, his back was turned and he hasn't noticed that I was up.Would now be a good time to try and escape?Bur where would I go to? I supposed I could find a police station and tell them that he had kidnapped me.I looked back over at him one last time before heading for the door.This was my chance to get free.But before I got to the door, I caught sight of documents laying on the table.Throwing a glance over my shoulder to make sure he was still on the phone, I opened the files.It didn't male much sense to me, but my name was printed on the documents.Going back to the first page, I began to read.But then I heard him c
KINLEY We had just returned 'home' when Talon came to me while I sat in the garden drinking a cup of tea."Hey. I wanted to talk to you, about what happened back at the hotel.""There's nothing to talk about, Talon. Don't worry, I'm not going to tell Gianni."He sat down, "Kin, you don't get it. I'm falling for you. And we both know I am a much better choice than Gianni is.""For fucks sales, Talon! I don't want either of you."Talon scoffed, "Really? Do you think I'm stupid? Do you think I can't see the way you look at him? You're making the wrong choice. He is evil. He hurts people.""I am aware of that, Talon.""Come on, I want you to see something," he pulled me onto my feet by my bicep."Where are you taking me?""To show you something about Gianni. I want you to see just how evil he is."My stomach churned at his words.He pulled me out to the end of the yard, a deck stood near one of the pools.Gianni was there with a few of his men, a going woman with long black hair was on he
KINLEY "I would die for you, how can I be so bad?" Gianni's words kept floating around in my mind.With a heavy sigh, I sipped on my wine while staring at the pool.Yes, I was day drinking, although it was late afternoon so I didn't feel too bad about it.I heard footsteps approaching and groaned inwardly when I saw it was Gianni.Did this man know nothing of personal space?"You want to swim?""Right, with my foot in a cast? I don't think so.""You are staring at the water with a wishful look in your eye."I smirked, "It's hot, the water looks inviting.""That is not the only thing that looks inviting," his eyes roamed my body."Do you not even try and hide the fact that you're gawking?"He say down on my lounger, dropping a hand casually on my shin, "No. Why should I? I think it is no secret I want you.""Well, maybe it was better when it was a secret." He smiled to himself, his face downward, "Why must you fight against me like this? I know I am not the only one feeling this chemi
KINLEY I knew I shouldn't, but I went over to Gianni's desk and scanned the papers scattered on his desk.I opened a few drawers until I came across a gun casually sitting there. Right besides a tint bag of coke."Right, enough snooping," I shut the drawers and high tailed it out of the room.Seeing the coke had brought back the memory of the hotel and how angry Gianni had been. It also reminded me of who the hell I was dealing with.What had I been thinking earlier, almost sleeping with him? He wasn't the type of man I wanted to be with. He was the type of man I needed to stay very very far away from!I hurried into my room and shut the door, making sure to lock it. I needed to keep my distance from Gianni, I could not allow myself to develop feelings for him. I knew he would probably be annoyed that I had returned to my own room, but I didn't care. Later that night he came knocking at my door and I promptly told him to go away and that I would not be having dinner with him. I need
KINLEY Almost a week had passed since Gianni had fallen from the balcony, and I had successfully avoided him.It was a few weeks early, but I was planning on having the cast removed. It was bulky and got in the way of everything.I knee Gianni would probably disagree with it, so I got Talon to get the doctor in.Once the cast was off, I could feel my ankle was starting to feel a little better."Kinley!" Gianni's voice echoed through the house loudly and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.I limped out of my room, "What is it? Why are you shouting like that?"His eyes dropped to my ankle, "Why is your cast off?""It was getting in the way. Is that why you're shouting and carrying on like a mad man?" I asked.He narrowed his eyes at me, "No. Have you signed the change of ownership papers for the club yet?""No?" Truthfully, I had shoved them in the drawer beside my bed and completely forgotten about them until now."Why don't you get ready later tonight and I'll take you there. You can h