Claimed Without Chains
1069 Words
ANTONIO
"How long?", I asked.
Before Lucas could answer, one of my maids rushed in, hand on her chest breathing heavily.
"Sir-", she swallowed hard, her hand pointing at the stairs.
"Sir, a few men... impeccably... dressed just came in. They–"
I raised my hand, cutting her off.
“Get the drinks ready. Let’s welcome our guest.”
The maid nodded and hurried away.
I looked past her, my gaze settling on the stairwell beyond the hall.
Without saying a word to Fiore, I walked out of the room.
My steps were unhurried. Thirty minutes was more than enough time to prepare for a man who liked to announce his presence before he arrived.
I reached the doorway when I felt it — the soft shift of weight behind me.
She followed.
Not rushing. Not hesitating.
Just close enough that I could feel her there as I descended the stairs, her footsteps quiet, deliberate, keeping pace with mine.
I stretched my hand in her direction without turning my head, her fingers crept into my palms slowly before they finally clasped my hand firmly.
I held hers back and I walked on, my strides never breaking. I noticed Fiore having trouble keeping up so I scooped her up into my arms.
No time to waste.
When we got to the living area, I set her down.
Just then the doors burst open, revealing several men clad in black and in their middle was none other than my unwelcome guest.
His eyes wrinkled at the corner as his lips spread into a slow smile.
A thick brown cigar settled between his fingers, it glowed faintly, its smoke curled upward.
"Don", I said, my voice low with amusement, then I gestured towards the sofa.
He nodded appreciatively taking a seat.
His gaze shifts towards Fiore.
"You and I have similar interests...", he trailed off, his gaze still lingering on my Fiore, longer than it should.
Men always reveal themselves in what they stare at.
He finally tore his gaze from her, his smile still intact as he took a puff from his cigar.
"In my experience", he said lightly, "men with shared interests tend to do better as they stand together. The world is unkind to those who stand alone"
Fiore’s fingers tightened around mine– not pleading, not afraid.
Just a silent request to I stay where I was.
I met his gaze.
"Everything I need is already under my roof", I said my hand making a sweeping gesture across the room.
"Alliances complicate things"
There was a deafening silence in the room, the Don's men had their eyes trained on their leader ready to follow his words to a T.
"You've travelled far", I added breaking the silence. "I won't keep you"
His gaze flicked to Fiore once more, this time, brief and assessing.
"Of course", he said gently, "Somethings are spoken for".
I nodded adjusting my cufflinks casually.
"Your men should be more stealthy and cautious", I said.
The Don tilted his head slightly.
"The one that followed her wasn't"
He took a drag of his cigar, his moustache twitching slightly.
"He's alive", I added after a while.
"For now".
The Don's hand stilled around his cigar. His gaze sharpened, something like approval flickered through it.
"You run a tight house", he said quietly getting to his feet.
Fiore remained close, her hand still tucked into mine.
The Don noticed. He always did.
He left as quickly as he came, the doors closing behind him with a final sound that echoed through the house.
"Double the perimeter", I said quietly.
"No one enters unless they're riddled with bullets".
My men nodded quickly dispersing to carry out my orders.
I adjusted my collar and stepped away from the living room, already heading toward the corridor.
I didn't look back.
I didn't need to.
Her footsteps sounded behind me a moment later, soft and careful like she was afraid to break the silence that lingered in the house after the Don's departure.
She stayed close as we climbed the stairs, her shoulder brushing mine once–brief, accidental and deliberate.
When we entered her bedroom, I closed the door behind us.
The lock clicked softly, it was just us again.
She sat on the bed, her clasped hands rested on her thighs.
She stared at me intently, it seemed like she was anticipating something.
My perceptive Fiore.
I placed my hand into my pocket, pulling out the chain I gestured for her hand.
She stretched it obediently and placed her open palm in mine.
I dropped the chain in her hand, my gaze fixed on her face.
Her eyes went wide as she traced the initials with her finger.
"Is this—", she asked but I cut her off.
My hand retrieving the scarf from my pocket, I tossed it at her feet.
She picked it up hastily, her body stilled when she touched it.
She knew.
"No one touches what belongs to me", I declared.
She bit her lip, looking at the gifts in her hand, her chest heaving up and down as her body trembled slightly.
I turned away from her, my hand on the door when I felt her hand tug at my sleeve fiercely.
I spun around, meeting her eyes.
Without a word, her lips met mine in a hungry kiss, it wasn't gentle like the Fiore I knew.
It was hungry and untamed like she channelled her deep rooted hatred for me into it.
I drew back, my hand clutching at her throat roughly.
"I will ruin you and the pieces will be hard for you to pick up", I growled.
"Ruin me then", she replied snarkily.
I left no room for hesitation.
With my hand still placed on her neck, I ripped the dress she wore today, she shivered, a moan escaping her lips.
"Bed. Now", I ordered as I let go of her neck.
She hurried to the bed and laid down, her hands by her side clutching at the sheets.
I knelt before her my hands on either side of her, my fingers hooking the delicate straps at her hips.
The material split beneath my fingers leaving nothing but shredded silk behind.
Her glistening slit came into view, its sweet scent wafted into my nostrils.
She thought this was hunger.
I was about to teach her what ruin actually meant.
- Writer
