Don't Shoot the Messenger

8 - taking her home

 *  edited 

Alissandru Macello's POV

My driver picks us up from the Opera house. Her coat is on the back seat, and a bag of her things. "I will drop you at your hotel but if you wish to 'couch surf' tomorrow, I can do better than a couch. I promise to be a gentleman, my word on it. You will have a guest room, the same one you saw earlier. "  "I'll think about it." She slides her arms out of the fur and picks up her own coat, struggling to put it on in the confined space. I help her and she lays the fur between us. Then she takes off the necklace and holds it out. She told me that she would give it back, but... I hold my hand under hers and she drops it, placing her hand back in her lap. I look at the cool stones, the same color as the dress she is wearing. She was removing any hint that she is a kept woman, but it felt as if she was casting me off. I didn't like it at all.

I invited her to stay with me and promised to be a gentleman. I invited her to spend tomorrow with me... Offered expensive gifts that she wasn't used to. Too much too fast...especially with some of the weighted conversation.

I should not have let her find out about the kids tonight. She would have found out, but it shouldn't have been tonight. I should have taken her to a hotel to get ready rather than taking her to one of my homes. I had to tell her about the boys then, the baby....and their parents.  

She would have found out sooner or later, but tonight I should have kept it light, a fantasy to draw her closer to me. Yet, I wanted to draw her into my life rather than hold her away at the edge. It was too late to pretend I was something else; she already knew. If she was going to be with me she then would have to accept it all. Yet I know she was not raised with this. I am putting too much on her too fast. She ran once before.

I thought back. She didn't buy airline tickets until Greg ended up in the hospital. She had ordered a passport before then, but she did not actually leave until after that. She could have gone to her Godparents house and had the passport mailed to her there as a backup plan. She stayed until I hurt someone she knew.

"Do you want some time to yourself, or may I see you tomorrow?"  "Let me sleep on it, I'll let you know tomorrow?" I carry the bag of her things and we walk in silence. I hold the door for her as we enter the lobby and see the night clerk dozing. I do not show my anger to Claire, but I will have a word with him before I leave. I walk her to her door and set down the bag. I have rushed her, I need to go slow now.

I take her hand in mine and stroke her wrist. "I enjoyed today; I hope we can spend time together again." She bites her lip "What happens if I say 'No'?"     "My men will keep an eye on you to make sure you stay safe. I will give you some time, but I will see you again." "Do you ever accept NO for an answer?"

I think about it. I understand what she is asking, on several levels... would I rape her being only one of them. I am used to getting what I want. If our relationship progresses and I feel more for her than she does for me... would I let her go or keep her prisoner? ...No. If she truly wants to escape me, I will let her go. I will not let her go easily though; I want to try even if we fail in the end.

"We met under intense circumstances. Something about you... I feel as if we know each other. We never met before that though. I want a chance to know you and let you know me. If it doesn't work out, if you want out, you can go then. Will you give me that? You can go back to school in the fall. I will smooth things over with the administration and pay for your first year back. It was because of me that you felt you needed to leave anyway."

She thinks about it. "If it isn't working out, I'll decide later what I want to do. I might not go back there...I don't want to face people I know, questions..." I shrug. It doesn't matter. If she doesn't stay with me, it could be better for her to go farther away. I feel a sharp sting in my chest at the thought.

Would she agree to try for 6 months? She missed most of the fall semester and will miss the start of the spring semester as well. I could try to lay claim to the time before classes start in the fall.  She may bargain, but better to ask for more and settle for less. "End of July next year, then? That should be long enough."

"You may tire of me in a month."    "If so, I will still honor my word. I cost you time and broken friendships. I can not give you back what I took from you if you decide to leave me... or if I decide that you are, in fact, too young or not what I imagined." I remember that she does not want to be my mistress, or she would have accepted the necklace and more. I do not want that either, I realize, not exactly. It is not that I don't want her, but that I want her. I can get sex anywhere. If that connection is real... It would be better to keep her as a true friend for life than to bed her and frighten her away. She is a virgin. Did she misunderstand my intentions? "I am not asking you to be my mistress, if that is what you assume. I will not seduce you.... but you may find me willing to be seduced." I show a small smile.

"Let me sleep on it, and I will let you know if I want to spend tomorrow with you. I'll text you in the morning when I wake up. ...Give me 6 weeks to decide if I - or you- want to commit to a few more months. Is that fair?" I squeeze her hand and release it. I have six weeks to persuade her. "As you wish." I step back and wait as she digs in the bag for the room key "Good night." "Sognate dolcemente." (dream sweetly)

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I head downstairs, my steps light on the worn carpet. The fool is still asleep. I draw a knife and grab him by the throat so that he cannot scream and disturb Claire; I don't want to worry her. I pin him to the counter with the tip of the blade in front of his eyeball.

"Scemo. You are supposed to be on watch and make sure no one slips into the hotel to steal or harm anyone here. You can at least be awake to challenge visitors and call the police if necessary to chase someone off!" Wide eyes roll in their sockets and he claws at his throat. My voice is dark with threat: "If my woman is harmed in the least way because you were not doing your duty... you had better find your grave before I find you. Understand?" I ease up the pressure on his throat; he coughs and chokes a wheezy answer "Un..der stand." I push him away and the blade vanishes into a concealed sheath. I turn without another word and walk out.  

I scan the area and spot my men on night watch. I do not need to check on them; I know they will never sleep on duty. Confident that Claire is safe for the night, I head back to the car and home. Will she see me tomorrow?  

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Chapter 8 1386 words