16. Mikhail

16

MIKHAIL

I lock the door and stand with my forehead resting against the wood, my naked body dripping water onto the carpet as I listen to Lucia's sobs on the other side.

The last thing we should have done is have sex. I'm beyond pissed at her, but that doesn't change the fact that I was also worried out of my damned mind.

I thought she was gone.

So, when she climbed through the window wearing that damn dress that she knows makes me crazy, I couldn't help myself. I needed to hold her in my arms, to feel her skin against mine as I buried my cock inside her.

I craved the sound of my name spilling from her lips as she orgasmed, and it wasn't until we were both panting with the aftermath of our release that I finally felt reassured that she was safe.

And when she asked me to stay…

Fuck.

I wanted to so bad. I wanted to hold her against me all night as we slept. But I need to do some damage control here .

Despite what she says, despite all the promises, Lucia Conti cannot be trusted.

After she eventually falls silent, I force myself to head into my own room and crawl into bed.

I sleep for only an hour or so, my mind still racing and my body barely satisfied. But I refrain from taking myself in my hand, if only to keep my head clear as I try to think through what to do about Lucia.

We're going to be married in less than a week, and then she will officially be my family's problem. Which means, every time she pulls a stunt like last night, not only is she risking her own life, she's risking the lives of the people I care about the most.

Alfonzo Morano will think nothing of a little bloodshed if it means getting his hands on Lucia.

As I pull on a fresh shirt and pants, I make a mental note to call a meeting with my brothers.

The thought makes me remember my broken phone and the tracker.

If I wasn't so pissed off, I'd be impressed at Lucia's sense of initiative.

She's smarter than she lets on. But that doesn't change the fact that she felt a need to put a tracker in my phone in the first place.

Was it only to check where I was so she could sneak out? Or was it for a deeper reason?

Did she think I would lock her up and not come back?

The thought makes me frown.

I never considered the fact that, despite my best efforts, perhaps I haven't shown her well enough that she can trust me .

After all, trust goes both ways…

"You should have discussed that instead of fucking in the shower," I mutter under my breath as I head into my closet to open up the safe where I keep a number of back up phones.

After sorting out a new phone, I tuck it into my back pocket, and I make my way downstairs to start brewing some coffee.

I doubt Lucia would have slept very much, if at all, so I grab us both a mug and start preparing a tray of food.

We should have a proper conversation now that the emotions of last night have hopefully calmed down.

Once I've gathered the food and coffee, I balance the tray on my left forearm as I make my way upstairs to Lucia's room and unlock the door.

I push the door open. "Lucia?"

I find her curled up on her side with her back to me, though from the way her shoulders move with each breath I know she's awake.

"You should eat something." I move into the room and set the tray down on the dresser.

"I'm not hungry."

"You're always hungry."

She huffs but pushes herself up into a sitting position, wrapping the sheet around her naked body.

"Here," I offer.

She takes the mug without meeting my eyes. Hers are red and puffy from crying, and her face is pale, and her skin is covered in goosebumps.

I head into her closet and pick out a warm sweater and a pair of pajama pants .

"Put these on." I toss her the clothes. "You look cold."

She frowns. "Why do you care?"

"Lucia." I run my fingers through my hair. "Do you have to fight me on everything?"

After setting her coffee on the bedside table, she rubs her hands over her face as her shoulders sag.

My body is screaming at me to go and comfort her, but that's the last thing I should do.

"I thought you hated me." She picks up the clothes.

"I don't hate you."

She looks at me then, her expression one of disbelief.

"Go and get dressed, and then we can talk."

She gets up from the bed, and I force myself not to admire her naked ass as she strolls into the bathroom to change, though that doesn't stop me from imagining it.

My cock semi-hardens in my pants. "Great."

I perch myself on the end of the bed and wait for Lucia to reappear as I fight the urge to rub myself through my pants.

When she does, she's pulled her hair back into a high ponytail, and the sweater is so baggy on her that it almost comes down to her knees.

She looks so fucking beautiful that it takes my breath away.

"Mikhail, I'm so sorry." Her lower lip trembles as she looks at me under her dark lashes.

She stays over by the bathroom door, wanting to put some distance between us, which I understand.

I'm pissed as hell, and she knows it.

"That doesn't change the fact that you broke my trust, again ."

"I know." Her eyes start to well with tears. "Please forgive me. "

"I don't know if I can. We're going to be married, Lucia, and for this to work, we have to trust one another. You're going to be a part of my family, which means your actions reflect on them. I won't risk their lives because of some deal with your father."

"I understand."

"Do you? Because last night shows me you don't."

"Believe me, Mikhail, I do." Her throat bobs. "Being followed last night scared me enough to realize that you're right. I am in danger, and I need to be more careful."

My back stiffens as Lucia's words sink in. "What the hell are you talking about?"

She was followed ?

Lucia looks up at me with wide eyes.

"Uh… There was a shady guy at the club last night." She wraps her arms around her body.

I'm instantly on my feet, crossing the distance between us.

"Did he touch you?" I take her face in my hands.

"N-no, he didn't."

I let out a breath of relief as I rest my forehead against hers, trying to fight the wave of panic rushing through my veins.

"Mikhail, I'm okay."

I take a moment to try and compose myself.

Lucia was followed, and I wasn't there to protect her. I hadn't done enough to ensure she was safe, and if anything had happened to her, it would have been on me.

And that thought makes me sick to my stomach.

"What happened?" I gently stroke my thumbs over her cheeks.

"Mikhail, I'm fine." She puts her hand on my chest.

A shiver runs down my spine at her touch.

"I still need to know."

She takes hold of my wrist and lowers my hand from her face.

I frown, my body vibrating with nervous energy at the thought of what could have happened, but I let her lead me over to the bed where she sits down beside me.

"When I went to the bar, I noticed a guy was looking at me. I figured he thought I was hot or something, nothing more."

My jaw clenches at the thought of anyone looking at her. She might be the biggest pain in my ass, but that doesn't change the fact that this woman is mine to protect.

"But then, when I left to get my coat, he followed me."

‘Fuck." I run my hand over my jaw.

"So, I had the attendant take me out the back exit, and I headed to the park across the street. But he followed me there too."

"Why the fuck didn't you call me?"

"I didn't want you to be disappointed in me," she mumbles, lowering her eyes.

My chest tightens at the look on her face, but I refrain from scolding her again. Right now, my energy needs to be on finding out whoever this guy is.

"What did he look like?"

"Umm…"

"I really need you to remember." I reach out to cup her face again.

Her throat bobs, and a crease appears between her eyebrows as she seems to think for a moment.

"He had a shaved head… Oh, and a snake tattoo that went up his neck."

My blood turns cold in my veins .

There's only one person I can think of who has a snake tattoo on his neck.

"Go and pack a bag right now." I get to my feet.

"Why, where are we going?"

"We need to get out of the city."

"Mikhail—"

"Lucia, please ."

For once, she doesn't argue. Instead, she disappears into her walk-in closet to begin packing her things.

"I'll be right across the hall," I assure her as I pull out my phone to call Alexei.

"Mikhail?"

"There's a situation," I begin as I head into my room to start packing too.

"What is it?"

"I was out with Lucia last night, and Alfonzo followed us."

"You sure it was him?"

"Positive. He had the very same snake tattoo up the side of his neck."

"Fuck."

"I want to get Lucia out of the city. He got fucking close, Alexei, which means he likely knows she's staying here with me, and I wouldn't put it past him to break in. She's not safe here." My chest tightens as I glance at her bedroom door.

This could have been so much worse, and Massimo Conti would have had every right to slit my throat because yet again, I have failed to protect his daughter.

"Bring her to Forest Hills. There's no way Alfonzo will attempt anything with the security I have here."

"Are you sure? "

"Mikhail, Lucia is about to be part of our family, and I protect my family."

My jaw clenches at his words, at what they imply.

I hate having to run to my older brother for help, but right now, Lucia's safety is more important than my pride.

"We'll be there soon." I hang up the phone.

Letting out a deep breath, I try to push down the sense of panic that is starting to simmer beneath the surface.

I was so close to losing Lucia, and the thought almost sends me to my knees.

The sooner I can get her to Forest Hills, the better.

Lucia is busy folding clothes on the floor of her closet when I re-enter her room.

"We're going to stay at Alexei's place."

"Why can't we stay here?"

"It's no longer safe enough for you here."

I pick up her half-filled bag from the closet floor and begin to grab more clothes off from the pile on the chair, tossing them into the bag.

She follows behind me, her arms full of clothes that she throws onto the bed.

"Mikhail—"

"We don't have any time to waste, Lucia." I throw some more clothes into the bag.

"Mikhail, please stop ." Her voice cracks, and the sound has me pausing.

I look over at Lucia, and she's eyeing the suitcase warily, her face drained of color.

"What is it?" I swear if she's about to snap at me for my lack of folding skills, I will actually lose it.

The threat on her life is more important than creases in her designer pants .

She shuffles on her feet as she avoids my gaze. "Are you coming too?"

I freeze at the question.

"Why wouldn't I?"

Lucia shrugs, a soft blush creeping up her neck.

"Do you not want me to come, is that it?"

"Oh, no. I do want you to come."

"Okay, then. Are you okay to finish up here so I can go and pack my stuff?"

She nods, offering me a small smile, and I reach out to cup her cheek and press a kiss to her forehead.

"It's going to be okay, I promise." Though the knot in my stomach makes me think otherwise.

This girl is proving impossible to contain, and if the security at Alexei's place can't keep Lucia safe, then I'm afraid nothing will.