“Not a problem,” he bit out, and I couldn’t help the wave of tremors that shook my body as he stalked towards me.
Holy shit.
Chapter 9
Phoenix~
Frankie was more beautiful than any girl had the right to be.
I mean, she’d always been a beautiful girl, but age and maturity had turned her into one stunning fucking woman. Even after enduring a long day of working, driving, and the emotional toll she went through with Massimo, Francesca Mancini was still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
Her dark brown hair was pulled back in a french braid that left random wisps of strands dancing around her face. Her dark brown brows were still arched to perfection above those goddamn amber eyes. They reminded me of a lion’s mane, and they were just as bright. Frankie and her brother were the only two people I’ve ever known who possessed that color of eyes. They were also surrounded by long, dark lashes which made them look like liquid gold whenever she cried. She had soft, rosy cheekbones, a slim nose, and thick, juicy lips.
Her body was something else entirely. Frankie was only five-three, but her small frame packed a hell of a punch. When we were younger, she considered herself plus sized, but I never thought she was. I thought she was curvy and sexy as fuck. I had always adored her, but when the girl had hit puberty, I was stupid with it. Her tits and ass filled out into the perfect hourglass figure and it was all I could do not to attack her every goddamn time I saw her. The first time she let me feel her up, I had nearly cum in my pants. Francesca Mancini was stunning, but that fucking chest of hers belonged in a temple to be worshiped always. And, looking at her now, she still had those sinful curves designed to drive me fucking insane.
I stood in front of her, peering down on her, and I knew there was no way she’d be given her freedom a second time. Her eyes were wide with anticipation as I stood before her. And she might be wary, but this girl would never back down. Ciro, Luca, and I taught her too well. And six years didn’t mean shit. I could still read Frankie like a book. I’ve studied the girl for most of my life. There was no way I didn’t know what she was thinking. And, right now, she was thinking she had a say, but she didn’t.
“We can do this one of two ways, Frankie,” I told her. “You can walk out of here on your own two feet, your dignity and pride in place. Or I can drag you out of here by your motherfucking hair, kicking and screaming. Either way gives me what I want.”
Her eyes narrowed and she looked ready to spit fire. “I’m not going anywhere with you,” she snarled. "And you’re out of your mind if you think I am.”
I smirked down at her. “You can’t win,” I pointed out. Her eyes flicked behind me to Luca. “Luca and Ciro won’t help you.”
Frankie’s eyes were flashing with anger as her gaze shifted back to me. “I’m here for Massimo,” she replied. “I’m here for Massimo and only Massimo. There’s no reason I can’t stay at a nearby hotel.”
“There are plenty of reasons,” I argued. “Mainly, your safety.” Her face went from angry to confused, so I decided to enlighten her. “You’re Francesca Mancini, and although we’ve done our best to keep your return a secret, we can’t guarantee that word hasn’t gotten out that you’re back.”
“So?” she sassed. “Who cares if I’m back?”
“A lot has changed since you’ve been gone, Frankie,” I told her. “The fact that you’re Ciro’s sister, Luca’s best friend, and my…” I trailed off because she looked down at the floor at the mention that she was still Luca’s best friend.
She shook her head before lifting her gaze to mine. “Whatever,” she said dismissively. “Then I can stay with my brother if there’s a chance I’m in danger.”
“You’re not your brother’s responsibility,” I snapped, losing my patience. It’s been six years, and all I wanted was to get Frankie home, so we could fight it out before fucking her unconscious.
“I’m not yours either,” she said, stressing each word like I was stupid or something.
I’ve spent the last six years honing my craft. I’ve developed a very intimate relationship with patience, but, right now, that relationship was becoming nonexistent. “That’s where you’re wrong,” I said as I grabbed her by her arm and yanked her forward. “You’ve always been my responsibility. You were my responsibility when you were five and you’re my responsibility now.”
Frankie tried to shake me loose, but it was no use. The grip I had on her arm was sure to leave some bruising, but I didn’t care. She was going to be covered in bruises come morning after I got her naked anyway. Frankie always liked her sex rough and dirty and, knowing her legs have been closed for the past six years, I imagined she still liked it that way.
“I am not leaving here with you, Phoenix,” she almost yelled.
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
My free hand snaked out and I tangled my fingers in the intricate layers of her braid and tightened it into a fist. “Then dragging you by your fucking hair it is,” I threatened.
Her eyes widened. “Ciro! Luca! Are you guys going to just stand there and let him do this to me?”
“Yes,” came Luca’s easy reply.
“Frankie, it’s not my place,” Ciro answered.
Frankie knew Luca was a lost cause, so she focused on her
