Rio's POV
I lay flat on my back, eyes locked on the cracked ceiling like it held the answers I couldn't find. I wanted to go on a murder spree so bad.
Someone was threatening her,Elena,and I knew it was about that damn key. The fierce, fire-breathing Elena was gone, replaced by this scared, vulnerable version that twisted my chest tight.
I glanced over at her, curled up on her side, hair tangled all over her face, lips pouted, restless and scared even in sleep. I slid quietly out of bed, careful not to wake her.
Four in the damn morning.
I grabbed my phone to check the time, slipped on my shirt. I looked back at her, leaned down, and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. That simple touch made my heart flutter like a love-sick puppy ,since when did Elena do this to me?
She made me feel things I'd never felt for a woman, and that scared the hell out of me because I would break every rule and kill anyone who hurt her. She was my weakness, the one thing I didn't want to lose.
She shifted slightly but didn't wake. I backed out of her room, my hand lingering on the doorframe before I spotted it,the letter.
I grabbed it and re read the message, anger roaring in my chest I curled it in my fist . I dialed Marco.
"Boss." His voice was rough, half asleep.
"Station someone outside Elena's apartment. Now."i deadpan, moving towards her door .
I wanted to stay with her but I needed to fix this fast.
"What happened? Is she okay?"Marco asked worried . He already knows how important Elena is to me .
"Someone's threatening her. They sent her a letter. They know where she lives."i run my fingers through my hair .
I stepped out, pacing in the hallway, heart pounding like a war drum.I decided to head down to the parking lot and wait for someone to be stationed at Elena's.
Inside my car it was dark . The engine was still silent as I sat back . And then , I saw it a black van pulls up . My nerves pick up and I lean forward assessing the situation.
Three men jump out in masks and holding guns .
Shit .
I grab my gun and I follow behind them quietly.
I called Marco again.
"Backup, now."i order and hangup.
I gripped my gun tight. The men take the elevator and I take the stairs . They will obviously get there before me and the thought made me quicken my pace two steps at the same time . Sweat clinging to me and all I can think about is my girl in the hands of those men .
I finally got to her floor . And I slowly moved towards her already open door .
Inside the sound of stuff breaking, mumbles in Italian.
I didn't waste time . I stepped inside .
Without hesitation, I silenced the closest guy with a bullet to the head. I crept forward, eyes scanning the dark apartment.
In Elena's bedroom, my blood ran cold. One of them was tying her to a chair, back to me. Her eyes met mine through the tears, shaking her head, mouth taped. My heart shattered.
Before I could act, a gun pressed to the back of my head.
Shit.
"Drop your gun. Now."he orders voice low ment to scare me.
I turn around slowly, gun raised his eyes meet mine through his mask .
When he saw me, his eyes widened in shock.
"O..on the floor ..next to her .,"the man orders hesitating I cock my head at him before backing up .
I knelt beside Elena, whispering, "You'll be okay, princess. I'm here."
She nods
They tied my hands loosely, I nearly laughed. I could break free with no sweat, but I stayed put.
"Where is it?" one demanded, pointing a gun at Elena.
"Don't point that gun at her, you asshole," I growled through clenched teeth.
"Shut your mouth or I'll make you watch me kill her."one of them says moving closer to Elena .
He ripped off the tape from Elena's mouth. She whimpered, and my chest clenched.
Am going to kill him one beautiful slow death.
"Where is it?" he pressed again, moving the gun from her forehead to her exposed cleavage under her pajama shirt.
He has a death wish my hands flex wanting to reach out and wrip his throat for touching her .
"Fuck you!" Elena spat right in his face.
I smiled at her boldness, my fucking queen.
Before the bastard could finish his threat, the door slammed open.
I broke free, shooting him twice in the legs. He screamed curses in Italian and fell face down.
Marco took out another with a bullet to the head.
I rushed to Elena, untying her restraints.
"Are you okay? Hurt?"i ask my hands moving fast against the ropes .
"No... I think I'm okay," she whispered, hugging me suddenly. I froze, overwhelmed by her scent and the fact that she needed me.
Her wrists were red, and fury ignitedInside me . I pull her closer , inhaling her scent . A habit I'm afraid I can't stop.
Marco dragged the wounded man outside Elena's room , to her living room instead. The other men cleaned up the mess.
Marco strolled back into the room where am still making sure Elena is not hurt . Shes trembling a little but she's ok.
Marco smiled, holding out a bloody hand for Elena to shake.She looks at Marcos hand wondering if she should shake it ..or not.
"Oh shit, sorry, you don't have to shake it now," he chuckled, wiping blood on his shirt.
I wanted to smack him. Elena just smiled awkwardly.
"He's my right-hand man," I said. Elena's eyes narrowed in confusion.
"I've never seen him at the company," she said, innocently. Fuck.
"Yeah, I'll explain later."i shrug off and nods .
We walked to the living room where the bloody man I shot on the legs lay ..face front hands tied behind his back.
I pulled off the mask of the wounded man. The letter M burned into his neck hit me like a gut punch.
Marco bent down beside me, whispered, "What the fuck?"
Why were my father's men after Elena? The M meant the Mariano Mafia.
Elena's voice cut through the silence.
"What does it mean?"she asks rubbing her wrists .
I look at Marco . Marco shakes his head .. But I can't lie to her about something like this.
I looked up at her, heart breaking.
"My father's men," I whispered.
Her eyes went wide, shocked.I stand up .
I took a step closer, but she backed away, glossy eyes burning with distrust.
"Don't touch me," she whispered.
Distrust on her face making my chest tighten.
"Look, I know how this looks, but I swear I don't work for my father. I have my own men."i defend my self and the situation but that only spikes her confusion.
Her voice rose, cutting through me like a blade.
"Men? Rio, what the fuck do you mean?"she yells .
Marco smiled from the corner, knowing no one had spoken to me like that before.
"We'll talk later. For now, we have to leave. Others could be coming."i tell her .. moving closer anyway even though she doesn't me to .
I cage her when her back hits the wall . Her face filled with defiance.
"You'll come with me."i order ..voice a low growl leaving no room for argument.
Her glare could kill.
"Am not coming with you ..,"she scoffs rolling her eyes trying to wiggle from me .
"I wasn't asking Elena .. damnit ..for once drop the fucking attitude. Go pack a back ..,"I raise my voice but she doesn't flinch she glares at me.
"I'm protecting you because you're mine," I said low and fierce.
She scoffs before moving away from me to go pack a bag .
The drive to my mansion was silent, her gaze lost out the window. She hadn't said a word.
She called Summer, told her she'd be staying with me. Smart girl. Asked me to get someone to watch over Sam too. I did.
When we arrived, she stepped out , still in her pajamas,and wearing my suit jacket.
So fucking mine .
I walk behind her then catch up to her as we move towards my door .
The door creeks Open revealing my manor..my sanctuary.
"Wow."she whispers kicking her shoes off and taking my jacket off.
I smirked. "You like it?"
She rolled her eyes. "It's alright."
In my kitchen, she crossed her arms, serious as ever...she places her bag on the island before turning to me.
"Talk, Rio."she demands.
I told her everything, my father, the Mafia, the key, the lies.The protection I gave her even when she didn't know . The boy ..kleft who broke into her apartment..
She stared, unreadable, then asked the question that crushed me.
"Did you know about the key? is that why you employed me ?..that's why you stambled on my door Rio ..?..was this all a plan to get me close so you can take it ?"she yells , hurt angry and it breaks me .
"No,..it was all a coincidence" I ,choking on the truth.
She looked at me like I was a stranger.
"Why protect me? You could kill me and get the key and be the strongest man in the mafia."she asks glaring at me.
"Because I don't want you to get hurt...and because I don't give a fuck about that damn key Rosa"i shoot back raising my voice . Using her second name takes her by surprise.
I stepped forward, inches from her.
"Have I ever asked about the key? No. Because I don't care about it...I care about you..,"I add a low growl my breath funning her cheek she sucks in a breath her eyes meeting mine in understanding and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
She nodded and stepped back, grabbing her bag.
"My room? Or am I taking the couch?" she asked, pointing at the leather set.
I chuckled. "Your room's this way."
I led her upstairs, smiling to myself.
Her room is right next to mine . I would have loved for her to sleep right next to me on my bed but ,
Patience..she's already mine. She just doesn't know it yet.