Dark Sensations

House Guest

I opted to skip breakfast the next morning, finding that I wasn't quite up to greeting Ms. Victoria and Gabriel. My mind was still reeling from the night before with Massimo, and as I laid in bed hiding away from the world, I once more revisited it.

I didn't know the man on a personal level, only what Jones managed to dig up when sussing him out. He had no siblings, no other real family left. He was forced into being the Don when his father was assassinated. They almost managed to kill him as well, but his strong will helped him pull through. He had other legitimate methods, but he made most of his money with those more darker aspects of his life.

Was he attractive? Of course. I wasn't blind to his good looks or charming personality. It was foreign to look at him as anything other than a mark, yet my mind continued to go back to the previous night. The way his muscled thigh felt under my hand, his warm palm encasing my breast and teasing my nipple. I found myself wondering what his lips tasted like, what they felt like pressed to my own, how delicious it would be to have his beard scratching against my inner thighs.

By the time I managed to get out of bed, Ms. Victoria told me that Gabriel had a meeting going on and he would join me later for lunch. After she forced me to sit down and have a little something to eat, I decided to lay out by the pool. As much as I wished to go for a swim and clear my head, the salt water would only agitate my shoulder, but that didn't mean I couldn't work on my tan. Tying my long brown hair up into a ponytail, I changed into the black lace halter top bikini, plucking up a towel on my way down.

It was a beautiful day in Paris, and as I laid on one of the chaise loungers, I soaked up as much sun as I could. My fingers brushed over the left side of my hip, coming in contact with the raised scar of the brand located there. I paused in my motions, my mind replaying memories that I had pushed deep within myself. The sounds of Gabriel speaking knocked me from the past and I forced a smile on my lips.

"I take it business's done for the day?" I called out and was greeted with his airy chuckle.

"Of course, my dear. I was just showing our guest here around the property. He's visiting from Italy and I offered our place. Plenty of room."

Shrugging a shoulder, I closed my eyes behind the sunglasses and reached for my drink. "Doesn't bother me any. Welcome to Paris."

"Thank you." Came the reply, the voice deep and familiar.

Jerking forward I stood up, snatching the glasses from my blue and brown eyes. There stood the fucking devil himself, dressed in white. His hair was slicked back and he was eyeing me in a way that made me feel like he would eat me alive. My eyes narrowed up at him, about to say something when his gaze landed on my hip. He looked confused and upon following his line of sight and realizing that he was looking at the brand, I snatched up my towel and wrapped it around my waist.

What the holy hell was Massimo doing here?

"How do you two know each other?" I questioned, placing the dark shades back over my eyes.

"Oh his father and I were friends from way back. Shame what happened to him." Gabriel whispered the last bit.

I had no idea that Gabriel ever knew the Torricelli's, it was something he never mentioned before. At the same time, Gabriel had no clue that Massimo had been a mark. Since retiring, he allowed for me to take control. There were only a handful of times that I went to him for help and most of the time it was merely for advice.

My chest began to rise and fall quickly, looking from between Gabriel and Massimo. At the mention of his father, Massimo looked down at the ground, his jaw clenching. It didn't appear it was in anger, but more so that it was a sensitive subject.