I tried to make sense of what had just happened as I turned toward the exit, when my gaze suddenly locked onto that of a man. He was impeccably dressed, his dark hair slightly graying and just as well-groomed. He was charismatic, but I didn't like what he gave off. He was dangerous but not in the same way as Mamo. This man reeked of something rotten, something deeply wrong.
I headed for the exit, stopping by the cloakroom to retrieve my jacket before taking the long corridor leading to the elevators. A quick glance over my shoulder as I slipped on my blazer confirmed my suspicion. Two men were following me. What the hell was going on?
I turned into a second corridor at the end of which the elevators stood, stepping out of the men's line of sight. Suddenly, the door to my right opened and a hand wrapped around my arm, yanking me inside before slamming the door shut behind us.
I tore myself free from the grip and raised my fist, ready to drive it into the face of whoever had just dragged me in but froze when I recognized him.
"Angelo?" I frowned as a whistle slipped past his lips, his gaze sliding slowly down my body.
"Damn, no wonder I didn't recognize you. You've changed, Bella," he said, nodding slowly before his eyes flicked to my raised fist, which I lowered little by little. "Seriously? You were going to fight in that dress?" he asked, shaking his head in exasperation. I bit back the urge to tell him I could knock him flat even in an evening gown. But I wasn't about to waste my energy arguing with this… idiot. He grabbed my arm again and pulled me toward the stairwell. We were in an emergency exit.
"We need to go. My father's men are on your tail," he said, and I struggled to process his words. His father's men? What the hell was he talking about? His father? If Angelo was Mamo's cousin, then his father was Mamo's uncle. Why was Mamo's uncle having me followed?
I growled, wrenching my arm free again as we had already gone down two flights. He turned back, confused, stepping toward me as if to grab me again but I was already pointing the blade I had pulled from my thigh. He froze instantly, hands lifting in surrender, his eyes darting between the knife and my face.
"Listen, Gelato, you're really starting to piss me off!" I snapped, anger rising fast. First his cousin messing with me with… whatever strange pheromones he seemed to give off. Then his father having me followed for God knew what reason. And now him dragging me down the stairs like a damn dog. I had just come to enjoy my night, for fuck's sake. Could they stop screwing with me?
"Now you're going to get out of my way, and I'm going back to my hotel to sleep, because I have a damn flight early tomorrow," I spat, taking a step forward. He immediately moved aside, hands still raised. I resumed my descent, deciding I'd take a regular elevator on one of the lower floors. We were on the sixty-fourth floor, I wasn't about to walk all the way down. And if anyone tried anything, they'd crawl back to their boss in pieces.
"I wouldn't recommend the elevator. They could just press a button and trap you inside," Angelo's voice called from behind as he caught up with me. "I was going to take you to the service elevator." I stopped, letting out a sigh.
"What does your old man want from me?" I finally asked, turning to face him. He grimaced, running a hand over his military-cut hair.
"He saw you with my cousin. And anything close to my cousin is a threat in his eyes." Confusion only deepened.
"Why? What's his problem with Mamo?" I asked, lifting my hands, one still holding the knife which made him take a step back before looking up at me again, wide-eyed.
"Mamo?" he repeated, blinking before bursting into laughter. "Is that what he introduced himself as?" Now it was my turn to blink. I knew Mamo wasn't his real name, but I hadn't exactly tried to find out.
"No. Mario called him that last night," I explained. Angelo's laughter faded, his expression shifting as something strange, something serious settled in his gaze.
"Eri tu… la sua metà," he murmured, looking at me differently now. "That's why he asked me to get you downstairs." I closed my eyes with a sigh, not even trying to understand what he meant, and resumed walking. I would take a normal elevator, walk out the front door like a normal person, and leave. I didn't have the patience or the energy for their nonsense. But Angelo stepped in front of me again, arms spread wide.
"I definitely can't let you go now that I know it's you," he insisted, shaking his head. I pointed the knife at him again, but he didn't move just lifted his chin.
"Turn me into Swiss cheese if you want, but I'm not letting you go alone, Sanaa," he said firmly. "I'm just trying to get you out safely, damn it. Just follow me." I rolled my eyes, biting back a curse. He looked at me like a kicked puppy, practically begging, and with a heavy sigh, I lowered my weapon and gestured for him to move.
"One wrong move, and you're rolling down the remaining sixty-four floors on your ass," I warned.
He let out a relieved breath, muttering thanks to me and to God before taking the stairs two at a time. I followed easily behind him. We went down three more floors before he signaled me to stop. He cracked open the door leading to the corridor, checked the surroundings, then motioned for me to follow.
We took several corridors before finally reaching the damn service elevator. He gently pushed me inside and pressed the button for level minus two.
"Go through the boiler room and exit through the emergency door," he said with a wink as the doors began to close. "See you around, Bella!" The elevator started descending, and I leaned back against the wall, closing my eyes. What the hell had I gotten myself into this time?
My phone suddenly vibrated in my clutch. Mrs. Taylor. I straightened immediately, my stomach tightening as I answered.
"Mrs. Taylor? Is everything okay?" I asked, worry slipping into my voice.
"Oh, Sanaa, everything is perfectly fine, dear," she reassured me warmly. "Elio is sleeping like an angel, even though he cried for a good half hour before falling asleep, looking for you. But I explained that you'd be back tomorrow, and that you'd be there when he wakes up." I exhaled the breath I'd been holding. Everything was fine.
"I just wanted to know what time you'll be back so I can prepare breakfast for you," she added.
"I… my flight lands around eight. But please, don't trouble yourself. I've already inconvenienced you enough…"
"Oh, don't be ridiculous! I can't wait to hear about your weekend," she cut in, making me smile despite myself. Oh, I had a lot to tell her.
"All right. See you tomorrow, then," I said before wishing her a good night. I hung up, lighter, just as the elevator came to a stop at minus two. The doors slid open, and the automatic lights flickered on as I stepped out. I scanned the area, no one. I quickly spotted the sign for the boiler room and headed toward it, my hand hovering near my knife.
I slipped inside and crossed it swiftly before pushing open the exit door. A sigh of relief left my lips as the cool night air brushed against my face.
"I thought they'd gotten you," a deep voice echoed in the alley. My gaze snapped to Mamo as I stepped outside, letting the heavy door shut behind me. He was there, in all his glory, leaning against the hood of his Huracán, hands in his pockets, ankles crossed. He straightened as I approached, pointing a finger at his chest, irritation flaring.
"Care to explain why your uncle has me followed?" I demanded, tapping his rock-solid chest with my finger. God, was he made of stone? His eyes dropped to my finger before lifting back to my face, one brow arching. "I didn't come here looking for trouble, Goliath. So whatever twisted family issues you have going on, I want nothing to do with them. Leave me out of it," I snapped, tapping his chest again.
Suddenly, his warm fingers wrapped around my wrist, holding it in place, his gaze locked onto mine. I tried to pull away, but it was useless.
"Let go," I said through clenched teeth.
He didn't. Instead, he pressed my hand against his shirt, his heat seeping into my palm. My eyes dropped to our hands as he leaned closer, his face drawing near.
"You're right. My family problems are none of your concern, Diavoletta," he murmured, tilting his head slightly, his scent intoxicating me once again. "And I'd like to make it up to you for that unexpected chase."
Damn it.
"And how exactly?" I asked, silently congratulating myself when my voice didn't betray me. There was no way I'd let him see the effect he had on me. That would be like dropping blood into a pool full of piranhas.
"Let me take you back to your hotel, David," he said, gesturing toward his car over his shoulder.