Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

ARIA

The hands that were on me suddenly disappeared, and I swiftly crawled away from the man and backed into the nearby wall.

"Scar," the robber's voice shook in fear as he fell to the ground.

My breath hitched in my throat as two men immediately started punching the man that was on me a few minutes ago.

I slowly lifted my head to look at the man that had saved me. He stood dangerously tall, with long hair framing his sculptured face. A dangerous scar slashed his eyebrows and ran down to his ear. I was locked in a staring contest with this strange man, and he was winning because I was finding it harder to keep looking into his gray eyes.

The groaning sounds beside me intensified, and I turned to see that the creep who attacked me was on the floor, covered in blood.

"Please stop," I choked out. The two men that were hitting him didn't pay any attention to me.

I looked at the man before me. "Please tell them to stop," I gritted with tears in my eyes. I didn't want the man to be killed, especially not because of me.

"Basta!" He ordered while still looking at me.

I understood a little Italian, so I knew that he told them to stop. I exhaled sharply.

"Do you want to sit there forever?" He asked, and it took me a minute to realize the question was directed at me. His deep, gravelly voice filled my ears, and I was too shocked to respond.

"She might be in shock, boss," one of the men said with laughter in his voice.

He shook his head, but a hint of a smile appeared on his lips. This man was ridiculously handsome, and I was making a fool of myself in his presence.

He walked closer and I backed further into the wall. He didn't stop walking until his shoes were right before my body. Then he completely stole my breath my squatting before me. His rich scent filled my nose, and I found myself wanting to bury my nose in his neck.

"Are you in shock, Red?" He asked and I frowned. Why was he talking to me like I was a broken doll? And why did he call me Red?

I cleared my throat. "I'm fine. I was just...rattled," I said as I tried to stand to my feet.

In the blink of an eye, he stood to his full length and turned to go. No! I couldn't let him leave.

"Please wait," I called out.

He slowly turned and his dark eyes regarded me.

"I-I don't have a-anywhere to go," I stammered. It was pathetic for me to ask this strange man for help, but I didn't have a choice.

"C-can you help me with some money?" I asked, thankful that he couldn't really see the embarassment on my face in the dark.

He regarded me for a bit before saying firmly, "You're coming with me."

I scoffed. "I don't even know you. What if you're a kidnapper?" I whispered into the night.

He chuckled. "Kidnapper? Funniest thing I've heard all year."

He looked at me again. "I don't have all night. You can either wander in the dark all night or come with me. Your choice."

I silently picked up my suitcase again and followed him as he led me to a black Rolls Royce. I was completely speechless as he opened the door and gestured for me to get in. I didn't even know this man, yet I found myself completely hypnotized by him.

I entered the back seat and he took the space beside me. My whole body felt warm and I felt engulfed by different emotions all at once. The car came to life and we got to a fancy hotel in no time. We came down from the car and I followed him as he led me to a hotel room. He took us inside and as the hotel workers dropped my luggage and turned to leave, he turned to follow them.

"Where are you going?" I asked in fear.

"I have a birthday party to attend," he said and looked at his wrist watch. "And I'm already late."

"Please don't leave me," I blurted without thinking. I couldn't stay in his room alone. I was too scared.

He clenched his jaw and fixed me a stare.

"You have five minutes."

I quickly showered and changed into a simple yellow dress. He looked at me for longer than a second before taking his gaze off me and leaving the room. I exhaled the breath I didn't know I was holding as I followed him to the parking lot. The drive was short and soon, we got to our destination.

"We're here," he announced and I looked away from him. He stepped out of the car and opened the door for me. I shivered as the cold hit me again. He removed his suit jacket and placed it over my shoulder. I almost melted.

We stepped into the building, and from the looks of it, it was a private club. Men in expensive suits and women in equally expensive and luxurious dresses that put my simple black dress to shame. Loud music blasted through the speakers as disco lights twirled on the ceiling. Several bodies in the dancefloor swayed to the music, and the rest were pressed against each other.

He took my hand as he led me through the crowd.

"Scar, I didn't know you would be here," a male voice drawled.

Scar. Two people had called him that. Was that his real name?

We turned as the man got closer to us.

"Marco," Scar said in a low growl.

They exchanged a firm handshake, and Scar had a dark look on his face. I had a feeling he didn't like Marco.

Marco then turned to look at me. His eyes widened a bit and a look I couldn't recognize crossed his eyes, before he quickly his it with a smirk.

"Damn! She's one fine piece of ass," he said as he chuckled and looked at Scar. I opened my mouth to say something before Scar quickly moved face to face with the guy.

"Look her way again and you're dead," he said in a low growl.

I gulped. Marco chuckled nervously.

"I was just joking, man."

"I wasn't," Scar retorted.

"I need a drink," I murmured shakily as I walked off to a nearby bar.

I asked for tequila and the bartender poured me a shot. I tipped my head back and poured the liquid into my mouth. I took a second glass and turned to see that Scar had taken the seat beside me.

"Never walk away from me like that," he warned and I gulped as I looked away from him.

The next time I turned, I saw five empty shot glasses on the table before him. I frowned at him. He didn't even look drunk.

"That's enough," he said, grabbing my arm and preventing me from taking my fourth shot. My arm tingled where he touched, and suddenly I wanted his hands all over my body.

"Let's dance," I said drunkenly as I dragged him to the dance floor.

"I don't dance," he slurred in my ear, but his hands were on my waist. My breathing became laboured as I grinded against his hard frame. He held my waist firmly, and I admired the way he squeezed my dress in his big hands. I noticed black ink peeking out of the sleeves of his shirt.

This man was dangerous, and I was dancing straight into his fire.

I turned to face him and his hungry gaze met mine. Without thinking, I brought my fingers up to his face. Before they could make contact with his scar, he gripped my hand harshly.

"Don't try it," his guttural voice and I nervously dropped my hand.

"How did this happen?" I murmured and he smiled darkly.

"You don't want to know."

Another shiver went through me, and I brought my face closer to his.

"How old are you?" He gritted out.

His sharp jaw was clenched and he looked like he was restraining himself. His hooded gaze was fixed on my lips and I gulped.

"Turned twenty today. I'm not old enough to drink in America," I whispered.

"Thank God we're not in America then," he said as his lips captured mine.

He pulled me into him with ease until I could no longer feel the cold ground. The heat of his mouth and tongue sent fire swirling through my veins, and my hands slid around his broad shoulders to pull him closer. His hand wrapped around the back of my neck and he pressed his body harder against me. It didn't take long before our kisses were frantic and urgent, and when I moaned softly at the feeling of his stubble scratching across my face, a soft grunt left his lips. He broke the kiss and I found myself reaching for his lips again. I didn't want it to stop.

"Let's leave," he rasped against my lips. He didn't wait for my reply as he tugged my hand again and led me outside. I felt a little bit lightheaded, but my body was fully aware of everything that was happening.

We entered his car again and the heat burning felt worse. I felt the warmth of his gaze on me as I finally took his suit jacket off. I heard his sharp intake of breath and mine became heavy.

"You shouldn't have done that," he murmured.

I looked at him to find his dark gaze on me. I exhaled shakily as his hand landed on the exposed skin of my left thigh. I closed my eyes and felt his touch there, tracing delicate circles over the pale, bare skin.

"What's your real name?" I asked as my head fell onto his shoulder. He seemed to have a different idea as he grabbed my waist, lifted me up and placed me in a straddling position. The heat seeping out from under the fabric of his pants made my skin buzz pleasantly.

"I'll tell you mine when you tell me yours," he gritted out and kissed my temple gently.

My breathing slowed slightly as he continued stroking over my leg. I couldn't help the moan slipping out involuntarily.

"Aria," I said. My eyelids drooped lazily against my will. His fingers were moving slowly along my thigh and I found myself growing wetter by the second. His fingers shifted my panties to the side as I worked on his belt.

He smiled against my ear before whispering, "Maximo."

He slipped inside me at that exact moment, and I moaned again. It didn't take long for me to come undone in his arms. I closed my eyes and breathed heavily.

I woke up in his hotel room the next morning. I panicked as I tried to remember how I'd gotten to my room. That was when I remembered the events of the previous night. My mouth dropped open as I saw wads of crispy Euro notes on the bedside table, with a written note placed on top of it.

"You're in dangerous territory, Aria. Tread with caution."

I got up from the bed and grabbed my phone from the nightstand. Several messages and voicemails from my step father. I played the most recent one, and a chill ran up my spine.

"I know you ran off to Italy, cunt! I'll find you, and I'll fucking kill you..."