Her Mafia Daddy (Book 1) novel Chapter 17

Valentina POV

Again, what was wrong with me? His rough hand clamped around my throat, holding me tightly. Instead of scaring me, his touch caused slashes of heat to race down my spine and settle between my legs. He surrounded me, his strength on magnificent display, and my body softened as fear shifted to need and hunger. Could he feel my pulse pounding under his fingertips?

I heard him suck in a breath, so I assumed he’d noticed my reaction. Then his voice grew low and sensual, his lips near my ear. “What were you hoping to see Valentina in the dungeon, Valentina ? Hmm?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Liar.” The hand not on my neck cupped my hip, almost caressing me.

“Do you know what happens to girls who spy on me?”

“Let me go. You’re scaring me.”

“No, I’m not. You are not frozen in fear or fighting me off. Instead, you are relaxed against me while your heart is beating so fast. Do you know what that tells me?” I was almost afraid to ask. “What?”

“That you don’t mind the danger. That you might even thrive on it.” He inhaled near my neck, as if smelling me. “As I do.”

Moisture flooded between my legs, arousal so swift and fierce that my knees nearly buckled. In fact, I probably would have collapsed if Ravazzani hadn’t been holding me up.

“Yes,” he murmured. “That is exactly what I thought. Do not ever try to tell me you weren’t made for this life, that you weren’t born to rule as a queen.”

I closed my eyes. God, please don’t let that be true. “Fuck you. I will never marry your son.”

“You will, bellissima. And if you curse at me again, or use such foul language in my house, I will return you to the dungeon whether it’s been

cleaned or not.”

I shivered, imagining the blood and brain matter on those dank walls. I never wanted to be down there again ever. “This is the twenty-first

century, Ravazzani. Women curse.”

He let me go abruptly, and I had to brace myself on the countertop to keep from toppling over. I looked over my shoulder and saw him run his hands through his hair. His eyes were bright and wild, almost feral, like an animal caught in a trap in the woods. “It may be the twenty-first century out there, but here in Calabria, in my house, it is very much not. We honor tradition, and that means you will also honour our traditions. Because if you don’t, I promise you won’t like the consequences.”

Turning, he strode to the door. “And let this be a warning: do not spy on my business again. The less you know, the better.”

He disappeared into the night, leaving me shaken and confused. It seemed like Rafael Ravazzani might understand me better than I did myself, which was an absolutely horrifying thought. I couldn’t let that be true.

Looking at the door, I made a swift decision. Fuck this. Fuck the engagement, fuck this castle, and fuck Rafael . Tonight I will escape.

*********

Rafael POV

Something told me she was going to run. I knew the wedding dress, combined with whatever Valentina saw in the dungeon, would overwhelm her and force her hand. I was looking forward to the challenge, actually. She had no chance of escaping, but it would be fun to see how she tried. I kept working late into the night. As usual, guards patrolled outside and two men monitored the security feeds. There was a complex system of tunnels that connected the castello to hideouts in the surrounding mountains, and if she found them she would be able to get deep into the forest. While she wouldn’t get away, it would take us some time to find her.

She was unaware of that option, thankfully, and I meant to see it stayed that way. Dimitri had returned an hour ago. Valentina would wait until she assumed everyone was asleep before making her attempt. Which meant any minute now….

I was checking over a contract we had secured for a government building when I heard the creak of the floor above me. Ah, yes. The monella was on the move. My lips curved into a smile. It was so satisfying to be proven right. I flicked off the light in my office, just in case she came down this corridor. More likely she would go the other way, through the kitchen to gather supplies, then out the back door, but I wanted to be cautious.

When I didn’t hear her footsteps, I assumed she had gone toward the kitchen, so I followed. My feet were silent on the old floors as I approached. The refrigerator door opened and closed, and I waited out of sight as she rifled through the cabinets. Looking for food, no doubt. Packages rustled, then her steps took her toward the back door.

Benito waited in the heavily fortified SUV I used when I left the estate. I got in the back and we drove off. Speaking of punishment, what would I to her? I knew what I wanted to do, but it was impossible. I wanted to spank her ass red until she cried and begged me to stop. But that would ignite the attraction simmering in my belly for her, the precise reaction I was trying to prevent.

No, it was better if I didn’t touch her. When we approached, the lights of the carabiniere’s Land Rover were flashing. I could see a lone figure in the rear of the dark vehicle, while the carabiniere stood outside, leaning against the driver’s side door. I recognized him, so this would be easy.

“Buona sera, Paoletti,” I greeted when I got out. “I hope we did not trouble you.” Walking over, I handed him two hundred Euros.

“Never trouble for you, Signore Ravazzani. She put up quite a fight, though. Said she had been kidnapped.” I grinned and slapped him on the shoulder.

“Women. You don’t give them enough diamonds and they cry big crocodile tears.” Paoletti laughed, as I knew he would, and then I thanked him. “I’ll take her with me now.”

“Of course, signore. A moment, per favore.” He disappeared into the back seat to uncuff Valentina . I met her angry gaze as she was pulled from the Land Rover. Surprisingly, she didn’t speak, just continued to burn holes in my skin with her eyes. I tried not to grin as Paoletti marched her toward me.

“Here you are, signore.” Now that she was closer, I could see the tear tracks, evidence of where she’d been crying. I squashed any guilt I might have felt. Taking Valentina ’s arm, I kept a tight grip on her even as she tried to pull away. I said, “Grazie, Paoletti. My best to your wife and daughters.”

“Arrivederci, Signore Ravazzani.” I led her to the SUV and Benito opened the rear door. She tossed her head back, long wheat-coloured strands of hair whipping over her shoulder, to stare at me. Her expression was a mixture of stubbornness and defeat, like a person who knew they’d lost but could not stand to admit it. “Let me go, Ravazzani.”

“Never. Get in the fucking car, Valentina .” Muttering to herself, she did as she was told. I followed and sat directly beside her, so close that our thighs touched. I wanted her to be uncomfortable.

She shoved at me. “Do you mind? Move over.”

“Is it wise to order me around after you tried to escape tonight?”

“Can you blame me? You kidnap and intimidate me, you are forcing me to marry someone I hardly know, and you killed two men in cold blood tonight. I would be insane not to try to escape from you.”

Benito started the engine and we headed back to the estate. The car was silent, and I thought about what she’d said. She believed I killed those two boys tonight, which meant she hadn’t been watching but listening in the dungeon. So she didn’t know that while I had shot them, they were both very much alive. I decided not to correct her. Better she think of me as a monster, a killer, and be afraid to cross me.