17. Diana

17

DIANA

I ’m smiling like a loon as Lazaro drives me back to the D’Amato mansion. My heart is racing, partly from the thrill of being with him and partly from nerves about what comes next.

Warmth spreads through me at his possessiveness. It's still hard to believe that someone like Lazaro wants me. He's so intense, so passionate. When I'm with him, I feel seen in a way I never have before.

But as we near the estate, anxiety starts to creep in. What will happen when we get there? The thought of facing Lana again makes my stomach churn. I replay our confrontation in my mind, cringing at how I spoke to her. Sure, she was disparaging me, but I should have remembered my place. Even if Lazaro says I did nothing wrong, I know I overstepped.

In truth, a part of me feels relieved. As terrifying as Lana was, I know it could have been much worse. Lana is a Mafia princess. The fact that I walked away with just a job loss and wounded pride is probably the best outcome I could have hoped for.

I think back to fleeing the estate. At first, I focused on my next steps. I've faced worse challenges than losing a job. I was shuffled through the foster system, striking out on my own at eighteen with nothing but a duffel bag and determination. This setback is just another bump in the road.

So once I got back to my little studio apartment, I updated my resume and browsed job listings online. I even considered leaving town and finally making my way to Minnesota. But the idea of leaving Chicago, of leaving Lazaro, makes my chest tighten. The truth is, the more I consider leaving, the sadder I feel. Chicago has started to feel like home in a way no other place has before. My job and working with Anna brings me more joy than I ever expected.

And then there's Lazaro. This connection between us, this spark that's grown into something warm and bright. The idea of walking away from whatever this is between us feels impossible, even as I know it’s silly to think this could grow into something more. I’m torn between feeling like I might have finally found my place and knowing it’s just wishful thinking.

It wasn’t long before I became a weeping mess as all these emotions overwhelmed me. And then Lazaro showed up and hauled me off to his place.

"You okay?" Lazaro asks, glancing over at me.

I force a smile. "Just thinking."

As we pull up the drive of the estate, my stomach does a nervous flip.

Lazaro parks the car and turns to me, his eyes intense. "Ready?"

I nod, trying to hide my nervousness.

“You try to run, I’ll just hoist you over my shoulder again,” he says with a crooked smile. It’s his smile that gives me the courage to move forward, to risk Lana’s wrath. Lazaro is a broody, unsettled man, and when he smiles, I feel like I’m seeing a part of him no one else sees.

He leads me inside, guiding me through the back halls and stairs. Even so, I glance around, half-expecting Lana to appear at any moment. When we make it to Lazaro's room without encountering her, I let out a breath.

Lazaro's expression darkens for a moment before he pulls me close. The heat in his eyes makes my pulse quicken. “Don’t worry about Lana. You're here because I want you here. No one else's opinion matters."

I want to believe him, but I suspect Lana wouldn’t agree.

"Don't even think about leaving again," Lazaro growls, a hint of humor in his tone despite the seriousness behind his words. "I might just have to chain you to the bed."

I know he's joking, but there's an undercurrent of truth to his words that sends a shiver down my spine.

"Chain me to the bed? That seems a bit extreme, don't you think?"

His eyes glint mischievously. "Twice now, I’ve had to come after you. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you here."

I raise an eyebrow, letting go my fears of Lana and instead focusing on Lazaro. "Oh, really? And what if I decide to make a run for it right now?"

Before I can even think about moving, Lazaro lifts me off my feet and then tosses me onto the bed.

"Then I'll just have to teach you a lesson," he growls playfully, his hand coming down in a light swat on my backside.

I gasp, because strangely, it turns me on. "You seem to have a thing for spanking."

Lazaro grins wickedly as he crawls over me. "Maybe. What are you going to do about it?"

I try to wriggle away, but he catches me easily, pulling me back against his chest. His lips find my neck, and I melt into him.

"Okay, okay," I concede, breathless with laughter. "I won’t run. No chains."

His eyes search mine, and I see the relief in them. "Good. I know you're too good for this place, too good for me, but?—”

I press my hand over his lips. “That’s not true. You’re a good man.”

He doesn’t believe me, but he doesn’t argue. He leans in to kiss me. It's a slow, passionate kiss that leaves me breathless and wanting more. His lips trail along my neck as his hands pull at my clothes. My hands tug at his as well. I’m eager, desperate to feel his warm skin against mine, to feel him inside me.

Lazaro must feel it too, as he doesn’t waste time. His hands grab my hips, and he drives inside me, filling me. I arch to him, wanting him to go deep, deeper. My hands cling to him. My legs wrap around him. It’s more than a physical connection. He’s a part of me. I’m a part of him.

Home.

Deep inside, I know I need to fight that feeling of this being my place, of Lazaro being the person I belong to. But as he moves, as he murmurs “Mine,” in my ear, I can’t guard against it. My soul breaks open and attaches to him.

“Diana.” His breath is harsh against my neck as he picks up speed, his movements becoming more frenetic.

“Yes… Lazaro… yes.” I hold onto him, never wanting to let go.

He levers up on his hands, rising over me, his hazel eyes dark, intense as they look down on me. He continues to drive in and out of me.

“Come… fuck… come now, Diana.” He thrusts in, grinding against me and sending me soaring. “Yes!” He plunges in, grinds again, warmth filling me as he succumbs to his pleasure. Watching him, his expression going from sweet torture to ultimate bliss, makes my heart squeeze tight, wishing I could bring that happiness to his life in all areas.

He collapses over me, then holds me as he rolls to the side, pulling me with him. “Maybe if I fuck you senseless, you’ll be too worn out to leave.”

I snort out a laugh.

“You question my skills?” He swats my backside again.

“Not at all.” I press my hand to his face, concerned at his worry about whether I’ll stay. “I like being with you.”

“But…”

“No buts.” Of course, there are. Lana is one. Lazaro’s healing could be another. But right now, I want to be in the moment and in this moment, there is just me and Lazaro.

He kisses me and it’s sweet. His stomach grumbles, interrupting the kiss. “We need dinner.”

“I could eat.”

“You stay here. Naked in bed. I’ll go rummage up some food.” He watches me, waiting for me to respond.

“I won’t move. No chains required.”

“Good.” He rolls out of bed and slips on jeans and a T-shirt. “You'd better be here when I get back.”

“I’ll be here.”

He gives me a grin and then leaves the room.

Collapsing back onto the soft sheets, I let out a contented sigh. My body feels wonderfully relaxed, a pleasant ache in my muscles. I close my eyes, savoring the lingering sensation of Lazaro's touch on my skin.

When I open my eyes, my gaze drifts around the room and lands on a framed photo of Lazaro with his sister, Lana. They’re teenagers, looking carefree and happy, their arms around each other. It's a stark contrast to the tension between them now. I sympathize with Lana’s desperation to regain the brother she once knew as they clearly had been close. Am I getting in the way of that?

I push the thought away, not wanting to dwell on the complications. Instead, I focus on how being with Lazaro feels right in a way I've never experienced before. He makes me feel safe, cherished, and understood. I wish it could last forever.