Chapter 5

For several dizzying moments, my entire world became swirls of color, flashes of light, and the pounding of drums. Then stars burst behind my eyelids as my stomach connected with his shoulder. It took a second to process what was happening.

"Let me go!"

No response.

I closed my fist and pounded on his back. "Stop! Let me go!"

I gasped at the sharp sting of his open palm connecting with my ass. The heavy skirt fabric did nothing to protect me.

"Settle down," he warned.

I pressed my hands against his back and tried to lift my torso while turning my head over my shoulder. "Don't tell me to settle down and don't you dare spank me again or I'll scream!"

He spanked my ass again. "If you don't behave, I'm going to flip you onto your back and do what I'm planning right here and now. Audience or not."

My mouth dropped open.

His actions in the piazza made it clear that this was no idle threat.

He freaking meant it.

And who knew who would stop to watch as well?

He had a mask on to conceal his identity during any debauchery. I did not.

Since the piazza was already descending into a Roman orgy, another man was more likely to join in than to stop Matteo if I cried out for help.

How on earth had I gotten myself into this mess?

I gritted my teeth. My sister. That was how.

All the trouble I'd ever gotten into in my life could be directly traced back to my sister. Her entire life's philosophy seemed to consist of a careless, it-seemed-like-a-good-idea-at-the-time point of view, with no thought to the consequences. Consequences were for other people to worry about. The people following in her wake cleaning up her mess.

I curled my fingers into his brocade jacket. "Please! You're making a mistake."

"I disagree. Apparently, my only mistake was in letting you run wild this past month. That ends tonight."

My eyes widened.

Howdid it end tonight?

The music from the piazza faded the further he carried me through the darkened streets of Palermo, heading to the shore. His footfalls clomped over weather-beaten wooden planks, the hollow sound echoing up from beneath it as he carried me down the dock, out over the water to where the boats were moored.

Sciatiri e matri!

Mother and Savior, he was going to kill me and dump my body in the sea!

The irony of my not thinking through the consequences of what I did next was not lost on me.

I wrenched his jacket up until the tanned skin of his back was exposed. Taking a quick breath, I opened my mouth wide and sank my teeth into his flesh, biting down with all my strength.

Matteo gave a shout and twisted away before I could draw blood.

I kicked forward and launched myself backward out of his grasp, falling onto the hard dock before I rolled onto my knees.

"What the fuck?"

Was all I heard from him before I gathered my skirts and took off.

Unfortunately, in the darkness and in my haste, I ran further out onto the planked walkway instead of back toward the shore.

His heavy-breathed pursuit dogged my steps, spurring me on. My lungs screamed, my thigh muscles burned.

"Dammit, woman! Stop right now!"

My mistake was in looking back at him over my shoulder. My only warning was his suddenly wide eyes. Swiveling my head forward, all I saw was the dock edge, and that I was about to plunge into darkness.

The soles of my boots slid on the weather-beaten surface of the last plank. My arms windmilled in a futile attempt to regain my balance and not fall into the dark, foreboding waters.

In that fraction of a second, I could practically feel it…

The bitter cold water enfolding me. The shock of it stealing my breath as I struggled to the surface. My skirt wrapped around my legs, tangling in the heels of my boots. My arms flailing in a fight to keep my head above water. Not having enough air to even scream for help. The frigid water stiffening my muscles, slowing every movement into a sluggish and strained effort. Catching only a glimpse of the lights of Palermo in the distance as I sank deeper and deeper toward death.

Suddenly, a powerful arm grabbed me and yanked me away from the edge.

His black leather mask was all that much more sinister in the darkness. "What the hell were you thinking? You could have drowned," he raged.

I was thinking that you were going to kill me.

I was thinking I needed to get the hell away from you.

I was thinking how badly I wished I could just scream out my real name so you would leave me alone.

I was thinking if you found out I was Antonella and not Antonia, it could get my ungrateful sister into even more trouble or worse …

I was thinking about the sheer insanity of my standing in the middle of the public piazza and allowing you to intimately finger me.

I was thinking about the most intense orgasm of my life from only your finger.

I was thinking if anyone found out what we'd done, my father would make me marry you instead of her.

I was thinking that you still thought I was my sister—and your intended bride.

Placing my hands over my flushed cheeks, I breathed heavily. "I wasn't thinking."

"You're damn right you weren't."

Before I could evade him, he reached down, scooped me into his arms, and headed back up the dock toward the anchored boats.

The feeling of being a trapped mermaid at the mercy of a ruthless demon sea captain came over me. "I can walk."

No response.

"Did you hear me? I said I could walk."

"I heard you. I just wasn't listening."

Stepping down a small side dock, he stopped along a massive twenty-five-meter Pershing 82 yacht.

A man in uniform with a gun strapped to his belt approached the railing. "Is that you, sir?"

"It is, Aldo. Push out the gangplank."

I couldn't let him carry me onto that boat. "Help! I'm being kidnapped! Call the police!"

The security guard chuckled as he released the latch on the entry gate and drew a lever. "I see you caught a live one, boss."

After a loud clang, a motorized metal gangplank slowly extended from the boat to the dock.

I squirmed in Matteo's arms.

As much as the words burned like acid in the back of my throat to even say the man's name, let alone use it as leverage, I cried out, "My father is Antonius Fichera! He will see you killed for this!"

Matteo glowered down at me. "I'm well aware of who your father is."

With his power, money, and mafia ties, even the mere mention of my father's name struck fear into the heart of any Sicilian.

I should have known an arrogant Cavalieri wouldn't give a damn. Their money and influence far eclipsed even my father's extensive reach.

The sea churned and broke against the dock pilings below the plank he carried me along. Aware that it was my only alternative for escape, I shivered at the prospect of entering the icy water. It would mean certain death.

Once we were on the boat, Matteo casually tossed out, "Tell the rest of the crew we are not to be disturbed—no matter what they hear."

My mouth dropped open as I looked over Matteo's shoulder to see his guard's reaction to such a strange request. Aldo saluted and said, "Of course, sir."

The remote din of the Carnevale music and the clang and metallic hum of the gangplank being pulled back from over the water and into the boat accompanied us as we crossed the deck.

My only escape route was now gone.

The breach between the boat and the dock was far too wide to even contemplate jumping.

Matteo carried me through a spacious lounge filled with low sofas and ottomans, all in varying shades of gray with smooth, gray wood accents. Without saying a word, we descended deeper into the boat and along a narrow corridor.

I thought about crying out, but knew it was futile. If the security guard with the gun didn't want to challenge Matteo's authority, it was doubtful a steward or porter would. Not to save an unknown, drowned-rat female, at least.

After kicking open a pair of double doors at the end of the hallway, we entered a massive stateroom. My head swiveled from left to right, instinctively searching for a way out. Again, the room was decorated in the same soft shades of gray.

An enormous bed dominated the space.

Matteo set me on my feet and turned to close the doors, sliding the bolt lock into place.

Locked in.

On a boat.

Far away from where anyone could hear my screams.

Focu ‘ranni. How the hell did I get myself into this? Oh right, my sister.

I backed up several steps and said, "You're making a terrible mistake. You need to let me go."

He crossed his arms over his chest. "Sure."

My eyebrows rose. "Really!"

He nodded. "Absolutely. I'll just let you waltz off this boat in your see-through shirt with your tits on display. No problem."

It took a second for my chilled brain to register his words.

First, the sarcastic tone.

Then the absurdity of his assurances.

Finally, the bit about my tits.

I looked down. The white lace corset was on display beneath the white linen of my blouse. The damp air and spray from the waves cresting against the dock pilings had rendered it almost translucent. I could even see the dark shadow of my areoles.

With a cry, I crossed my arms over my chest. "How dare you!"

Matteo tilted his head. "How dare I what? Look? Oh yes, I'm sure you're more accustomed to extracting some form of payment for a peek."

He pushed away from the door. "So tell me, what is the standard high-class-whore rate sheet? Cash for a peek. Jewels for a taste. Luxury car for a fuck?"

I raised my arm to slap him.

He caught it mid-air. "Slap me again and I'll slap you back. Understood?"

I gasped. "You'd slap a woman in the face? You brute!"

With his fingers firmly wrapped around my wrist, he wrenched me forward. My hands pressed against his chest as he smirked down at me. "I never said it would be across the face."

My cheeks warmed at his implication. Averting my gaze, I said through clenched teeth, "Let me off this boat."

"Fine. You can leave."

Unbidden, a surge of hope warmed my core. Then reality crystalized it into a rigid block of ice.

My gaze narrowed. "Just like that? You'll let me leave."

He brushed a damp curl of hair off my cheek. "Of course. As soon as I'm finished."

"Finished what?"

Please say talking to me. Please say talking to me. Please say talking to me.

His finger reached under my chin and tilted my head back. In this better light, the painted gold lines which highlighted the contours of his devil half mask stood out in stark relief.

The corner of his mouth lifted as his gaze wandered over my face to land on my mouth. "Finished disciplining you."