Opening my eyes, the sun was only just coming up, and the condo was silent. Rolling over away from the sun, I hissed. My hips were so fucking tender. Slowly, I managed to get out of bed, and limped to the closet. T-shirt, boxers, and pants all went on with more hassle than I would have cared for.
Opening the bedroom door, I froze solidly in place. Demitri had the door to the spare room cracked open a few inches, and it was dark inside, all except where the sun from the widow gave enough light to see him asleep in the bed, the blankets only covering his lower body.
I had to get the fuck out of here. Double time.
My keys, wallet and phone were easy to find, and I was creeping around on my tiptoes well grabbing it all so I didn’t accidentally wake up Demitri, who was up longer than I had been last night.
I limped down the hall to the elevator and went in, hitting the button for the first floor. The entire way down, I fully expected to be greeted by Demitri, who would have taken the stairs, but as the door opened and he wasn’t there, victory filled me.
I felt pretty unstoppable.
I had entirely dressed down now for three days in a row, and that was odd. I had never gone this long in casual clothing. Pulling out of the car park after starting my car and making sure everything was in working order, I drove for coffee.
Stopping at the light before the coffee shop, my day soured. The bright red custom car beside mine was one that I knew far too well. If I turned, I would be met with the face of Marco’s don and, most likely, Marco. Them being here meant that Maddox had called them.
Scratching the coffee off of my daily list, I debated just turning around and going home, but I had to chew Maddox out about this. I would not let him get away with dropping Demitri off at my house when he knew Demitri was exactly my type. I could make poor choices without his help. Luca was an example of that, twice.
Romeao, Marco’s Don, was a pleasant guy. His English was shit, but I didn’t mind. We had pretty normal conversations. He was a very nice guy, when he was on good terms with you. I could say I had never managed to be on that man’s bad side.
The light flicked green, and I drove, not even looking in their direction. I turned on a dirt road before the one that they were going to take. It would take me to the complex about five minutes sooner. They wouldn’t take this road because they weren’t aware it went to the complex and Romeao wouldn’t risk his car. He loved it too much.
I didn’t care about this car; it was Marco’s. I only took it in the divorce because he liked it a lot. It was a custom made, and I was salty about his cheating.
Passing through the gates, the henchmen no doubt told Maddox, who met me at the doors when I got there.
“Theo, what are you doing here?”
“I have several bones to pick with you. However, I saw Romeao and Marco in town on my way here, so I’m assuming you’re busy.”
“Romeao was coming to speak to me about trade deals, and as for Marco, I can’t tell you why that man is coming. I’d rather he not, but Romeao is a friend and is allowed to bring his underbosses.”
“Please, you don’t need to school me on your friendship with Romeao. He is still fine in all my books. His beloved underboss can suck my nuts in the most impolite terms.”
“You are still on friendly terms with Romeao, Yes?”
“Of course, he is still a good friend to me as well, Maddox.”
“Good.”
The sound of the car pulling into the driveway made me frown. I changed the look on my face quickly, adjusted the way my clothing was sitting.
“That hardly helps Theo. The evidence on your skin isn’t that easily hidden.”
“I blame you.” I hissed.
“You can’t blame me for your choices. Next time fight temptation.”
Turning around, I stepped off to the side, showing both Maddox and Romeao respect. Romeao nodded to Maddox, saying a polite hello, before his attention turned to me.
“Theo, Amore. Been a busy boy, I see.” Romeao said, a bright smile on his face.
Looking him directly in the eyes, I smiled.
“Romeao, Dear friend. You look well.”
“Casual clothing suits you.”
“Thank you.”
Marco kept his eyes off of me. Until we were walking in the door of the complex and he spoke.
“You should treat that car better. It’s one of a kind.”
I was too aware of Maddox and Romeao watching us. Our divorce was known now, and if anyone knew it was messy, that person would be Romeao.
“All due respect. Because of your position, I’ll be polite. But you are the last person I would take advice from on treating anything better.”
“You are just as much to blame.”
“I waited until we were divorced to sleep with multiple men, you on the other hand, you didn’t.”
I looked into his eyes and smiled, something that I fear more than anything. Marco was seething. I could see it. Luca stood against the wall on the farside of the doorway. I waved to him before stepping away from Marco, back to Maddox and Romeao.
“You should try to keep things civil between you two, Theo.” Romeao said, trying to be as polite as possible given what he was asking me to do.
“I am as civil as I am going to get with Marco Di Salvo. Theres a reason I only took the fucking car. It was the only thing he cared about.”
“There you go again, showing that Vincent behaviour.” Romeao said, before checking to make sure he hadn’t offended Maddox.
Sasha came walking briskly down the hall, stepping around Marco at the last second. He spotted me and spoke.
“Did you bring Dem back with you?”
“No, he was still sleeping when I left the condo. I figured I would leave him there. He looked quite comfortable.” Pulling out my wallet, I dug out the key card. I stuck it out to him.
“You’re more than welcome to go collect him, but you might want to make sure he has pants on.” I said, wanting to rub salt in Marco’s wounds a little more.
“Why the hell wouldn’t he have pants—--”
Sasha finally looked over my skin that you could see, and he sighed.
“You best not have broken him. I need his help.”
“I was more worried he might break me.” I chuckled, flicking my eyes to Marco, who was absolutely vibrating with anger now.
Marco grabbed my upper arm and lowered his voice.
“Watch yourself Theo. I’m not fond of this behaviour of yours and I will—-”
Luca removed Marco’s hand from my arm. Roughly.
“I encourage you to keep your hands to yourself. Maddox has a no violence policy in the complex.” He said, before dropping Marco’s hand.
Romeao turned and frowned, looking at Marco. Scolding him in Italian.
“I am sorry, Theo. Marco didn’t mean to put his hands on you.” Romeao said, before telling Marco to come to his side.
Once they disappeared into Maddox’s office, Luca spoke.
“You really shouldn’t aim to make him mad. He was unkind to you while you were married. Now that you’re divorced, there is nothing to hold him back.”
“How do you know he was unkind to me while we were married?” I said, having no fear of Luca.
“I overheard parts of your conversation, but before that, I asked Alexi about you. It seems if there is anyone in this house you want information on, he is where you go.”
“You have yet to understand the consequences of the actions you did.” I said, pinching the bridge of my nose.
Luca and I chatted about Alexi, Marco before he brought up the million dollar question.
“Why did you sleep with Demitri?”
“I wanted to. He is an attractive man.”
“Alexi warned me about the type of men you pick and I hate to admit that your ex-husband, Demitri, and I, fall under your type.”
“Alexi needs to keep his fucking mouth shut sometimes.”
Sasha and Demitri returned, and Demitri met eyes with me before he looked at Luca. As they disappeared, Luca spoke.
“I can see why you want him. He is a handsome man. Well mannered too.”
“Except in the bedroom, he is aggressive.”
“I saw the way you’re limping.” Luca said.
I shrugged, not really too bothered by it anymore.
“I can get you some regular pain meds for that. I have a couple that Alessio, my don and the doctor, gave me for my hangover.” He said.
“We met, officially, and not so officially when I was leaving your room after the first time we fucked.”
Luca and I went up the stairs on the way to one of the sitting rooms, when we both heard Maddox flipped his lid. Smashing, thumping, and Marco’s screaming voice made me jumpy. I flicked my eyes to the floor, and I wanted to hide. Luca covered both my ears with his hands. Ryer and Demitri came flying up the stairs, no doubt having been called on by Maddox.
Maddox and Romeao stood outside the office, as Demitri and Ryer took a very livid Marco out of the office. I couldn’t hear anything Romeao was saying because of Luca’s hands, but I was also thankful for that.
Maddox and Romeao seemed to realize they were being watched, and Maddox frowned. I saw him speaking and Luca started walking me closer, only removing his hands once we were in front of the office and I peeked inside, seeing the destruction.
“What happened?”
“You really need not worry about that, Theo.” Maddox said.
Romeao took my hands softly and spoke.
“I’m sorry I was so blind to Marco’s treatment of you until the very end.”
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