Chapter Five

Gigi clasped her purse, fighting the urge to run. While she had been working, she'd been distracted, but now that the day had ended and she was finally going home, the horror of the previous evening rushed back to haunt her. She glanced at the men's reflection in the elevator. The bodyguard had his arms crossed at his chest and an expression which would surely turn anyone to stone. Ludovico was carelessly undoing the knot on his scarf. The elevator doors pinged, and she jumped in her skin. It didn't matter that men twice as big as her were escorting her. She was still afraid.

The bodyguard held the front door open. Ludovico guided her forward with his hand on the small of her back. A quiver ran down her spine. She'd never been attracted to a client. It was forbidden. Office romances were strictly prohibited, not only because it was bad for business, but also because it was prone to go nowhere, but the chemistry Ludovico ignited unsettled her. Even more so, knowing she'd have to work in close quarters with him. She was a professional, of course, but he was so easy on the eyes it wouldn't be difficult to give in to his appeal.

She shook her head.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes. I was just thinking about tomorrow and all the work we must do."

His smile undid her.

"So was I, Ms. Evans. Where is your car?"

"It's that one." Gigi stopped in her tracks.

"With the flat tires?"

She nodded numbly. Fear reinstalled itself within her, the events of the previous night plowing into her chest and leaving her breathless. They'd slashed her tires. They knew who she was.

"Unbelievable. I knew this area wasn't the best but to do something like this in the light of day is unspeakable." Ludovico squeezed her forearm, and she focused her gaze on him. "I'll take you home."

She shook her head.

"There's no need, Mr. Ludovico. I'll take a cab."

"No. I insist."

"Thank you, but I'm sure you have other things to do." She fidgeted with the keys in her hand. "Besides, I have to call the insurance company."

"Nonsense. We can call them on the way to your house. I'm not leaving you here alone, not after that."

Her heart skipped a beat. Tears of gratitude gathered in the corners of her eyes. She brushed them away impatiently.

"Really. It's not necessary."

He held out his hand, simply waiting for her to accept his request. She didn't react so he grasped it. Her breath caught, kicking her out from the dark cloud she was succumbing to.

"Do you always get what you want?" she blurted out, as he dragged her forward.

Ludovico chuckled.

"Always."

A black BMW stopped in front of them. Lorenzo opened the door and stood to one side, surveying the area.

"In you go."

Taking a deep breath, Gigi climbed aboard, closely followed by Ludovico. Her body warmed inside out. His presence took over the space in the car, threading it down to him and him alone. She rushed to focus on something else and fidgeted with her seat belt. Ludovico leaned forward, taking it from her grasp. His knuckles slid across her chest as he adjusted it. The belt buckle clicked. His gaze bore into hers. Her mouth was dry, and carelessly she licked her lips. He leaned closer. She lowered her gaze and saw it.

A surge of panic climbed up her throat and made her heave.

"No," she cried out, slamming her hands against his chest.

Ludovico sat back laughing.

"You've got a good eye. I was right to believe you'd seen me last night."

"No," she repeated. She made toward the door, realizing too late that the car was already moving.

"What do you want from me?" she whimpered. "I didn't see anything."

"You saw my tattoo, or you wouldn't have had this reaction just now from catching a glimpse of it. Besides, I think this belongs to you."

Reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket he pulled out a phone. Her phone. Her skin became clammy.

"Please."

"Ms. Evans, do you remember what my company does?"

She shook her head. Right now, her mind was scattered, the only thought running through it being fear.

"We're a software company. On the surface, software developers, beneath the pretty packaging, we are hackers."

Her eyes widened as she realized what he was saying.

"You've hacked my phone?" she murmured.

"Just to know who it belonged to," he assured her. "I wanted to make sure you wouldn't go running to the police or I'd have had to kill you, right?"

"I didn't go to the police," she cried.

"I know. Nor will you. After all," he continued as if she hadn't said anything. "I could place this anywhere near the crime scene and you'd be in a whole lot of trouble with them. Not to mention the things I could do to your reputation. Imagine, from hacking your accounts to making it seem you're embezzling funds, to sending spicy emails to your colleagues and family."

"I won't go to the police," she repeated. The trickle of a tear slid across her cheek, and she choked back a sob.

"Hush, Ragazza."

Ludovico brushed back the single drop. She froze, her breath catching and a lump forming in the back of her throat.

"I know, but now I've met you, I want more. So, I think we need to get to an agreement."

"An agreement?" she repeated numbly.

"Yes." Ludovico rubbed his thumb and index finger together.

"What do you want from me?"

"This is how it's going to work, Geraldine Evans. From now on you belong to me. In exchange, I will let you live, and I won't tarnish your reputation."

"For how long?" she muttered.

"Until I see fit, Ragazza. Don't worry. I'll take care of you, Gigi. To begin with, I'll come pick you up tomorrow. After all…" A slow grin spread across his features. "Someone slashed your car tires."

Gigi's hand flew to her mouth, black dots danced in her vision. Horror threatened to overtake her.

"It was you."

Ludovico shrugged.

Gigi covered her face with her hands, biting back a sob. There was no going to the police either. She didn't have any proof. What would she tell them? That she'd seen her client murder someone or he belonged to the mob. Ha! It was impossible to prove. Just as impossible as explaining he'd threatened to kill her, or worse. If they had nothing on him, they wouldn't arrest him, and those people were always extremely watchful of their steps. She couldn't do anything except finish the consulting job she'd been hired to do and hope he got tired of her quickly.

You belong to me, Gigi.

His baritone voice echoed in her mind. She suppressed a shudder. He was bluffing. He was trying to scare her, so she'd do as he asked, but soon enough he'd tire of her and move on. He had more important things to care about than a woman like her. Right?

The car rolled to a stop. She made to run out, but Ludovico halted her with a hand on her knee. She froze, hating that her body had jerked alive at mere contact. What was wrong with her? Ludovico said something to the driver in Italian.

"Wait," he said. He stepped out of the car and opened the door for her. "Come on."

He walked her all the way home and waited for her to open it.

"I look after what's mine, Ragazza, don't you worry."

"I'm not yours," she uttered the words, fully aware the denial was nothing but dying leaves in the wind.

Ludovico laughed.

"Keep telling yourself that. I'll be here at nine o'clock tomorrow to pick you up. By the way, wear a skirt."

With those final words, he veered and headed back to his vehicle. Gigi hurried inside, locking the door. As soon as the car sped off, she slid to the floor, curled herself into a ball and wept.