Revenge in Rio Page 5

  * * * *

  Daniella wanted to protest, but after she’d showered and waited for nearly an hour, she was fed up with wearing a bedsheet or bath towel. She opened the door to the walk-in wardrobe and found several racks of clothes. She estimated there had to be well over a hundred outfits hanging neatly on the rails around the room. Dresses, camisoles, jackets, jeans, shorts, skirts, and trousers in a variety of pretty florals, pastels, bold colors, and patterns. She lifted one of the tags and noticed the garments ranged throughout the different stages of pregnancy; whoever Luca had sent shopping, Daniella had to admit they had good taste. And expensive taste.

  Just one pair of black silk and lace briefs had a price tag of one hundred and eighty-five dollars. All she wanted was a comfortable pair of jeans and vest top, not Gucci and Prada dresses and heels. She frowned and realized she was going to have to wear Luca’s money; it would mean yet another hold he’d have over her. Even though she knew he was nothing like Miguel, she couldn’t help but keep her guard up. She removed the tag carefully and stepped into the luxurious lingerie. She had to admit they felt and looked beautiful.

  She sighed and plucked a pair of navy loose-fitting linen trousers and a cream spaghetti-strapped top from the midst of the wardrobe. Topping the outfit with a cream, kimono-style, draped cardigan, she shrugged her arms into the material. She was thankful for its coverage of the slowly fading blue-purple marks across her shoulders and arms.

  Further arrays of expensive shoes were neatly placed at the other end of the walk-in wardrobe, and she felt spoiled just being given the choice. Daniella quickly decided on a pair of flat silver sandals and fastened the delicate buckles. She then twisted her hair up into a loose chignon and turned to look in the full-length mirror. The dark circles under her eyes had faded a little and her complexion had a slight glow about it. This was the healthiest she’d looked in years, she thought. The clothes were a perfect fit to her frame and actually showed her baby bump. She no longer had to hide it from Luca or protect it from Miguel.

  As she left the guest room, she admired the large windows at the far end of the corridor; each of them illuminated the space with the sun’s rays dancing across the marble floor and across her feet. She ran her fingers along the hand carved wooden stair banister and traced its intricate details. She took each step slowly, drinking in all of her new surroundings, feeling as if she was a princess in a faraway castle. She wasn’t sure how much Luca earned, nor did she really care to know, but she was pretty certain his bank account was fully equipped for years’ worth of rainy days if his home was anything to go by.

  Once she had reached the last step, she looked left and then right, unsure which way to go. As if by magic, a lady appeared holding a small tray with a glass of cold, fresh orange juice placed in the middle.

  Is this Maria?

  “Olà, Senhorita Venancio. I’m Maria, the housekeeper. Here, drink this. It’s full of lots of vitamins.” She gave Daniella a sweet smile and ran a fleeting glance over her tummy. “You slept well?”

  Clearly Luca had already told his staff about her pregnancy. Maybe this lady was the mystery wardrobe shopper? Though she doubted it. Maria was into her sixties and a little out of touch with fashion. Daniella was sure the mystery shopper was a young woman, most probably one of his many employees.

  She nodded shyly. “Sim, thank you,” she said, taking the glass and bending to look over Maria’s shoulder. “I’m looking for Luca…”

  “Sim, sim, Senhor Venancio is in the gardens working,” Maria gushed, taking hold of Daniella’s arm.

  “If he’s working I can see him later. I don’t want to disturb him,” said Daniella, pulling away from the surprisingly strong older lady.

  “No, it is fine. He has told me to fetch you. He wants to see you now.” She grinned and tugged her arm. “Come.”

  Daniella found herself being ushered along by the whirlwind that was Maria, whose sandals loudly clip-clopped against the marble flooring throughout the grand mansion. Maria led her out into the open gardens where tropical fragrances swirled around her and gave her reason to fall back in love with Rio, with Brazil, and forget the bad. The housekeeper patted her arm and then left her side. She squinted and scanned the garden’s horizon for Luca. She spotted him sitting at a table beside the immaculately kept kidney-shaped pool. A warm glow suffused her chest and heat rushed to her cheeks.

  Was she happy to see him?

  She wasn’t sure. In normal circumstances she would have been, should have been, of course, but these were not normal circumstances…far from them.

  * * * *

  Luca lifted his gaze as Daniella approached. Pushing his chair back, he stood, removed his Oakley shades, and squinted from the bright sunlight. He looked her up and down as she glided closer toward him. She was a vision of beauty. But however beautiful she was, he had to stick to his plan and not be lured from it. Her hips sashayed from side to side with each step and the soft breeze caused a few loose curls to blow wildly behind her ears.

  “Did you eat well? The staff prepared everything you wanted?” he asked, genuinely concerned. After all, it was in his best interests to keep her happy. Her being happy brought him one step closer to his revenge.

  “Yes, thank you. It was lovely.”

  “The clothes were a perfect fit.” Luca’s gaze skimmed over the material that hugged her petite frame.

  She brushed aside his compliment. “You’ve purchased some beautiful clothes. You really shouldn’t have spent that much. They weren’t necessary, Luca. I can go home and get my own.”

  “Firstly, this is now your home and you are not going back to Rocinha. And secondly, you needed maternity clothes. I doubt you have many of those?” He smiled and opened his palms to her as if closing a deal. He was treating her as if she was a regular Monday to Friday working day deal. Simple as that.

  She licked her lips before speaking. “I appreciate your help yesterday, I really do, but…” She fiddled with the cardigan edging. “I’m not so sure about our arrangement now.”

  Luca leaned over the table, finished the final touches to his email and then shut the laptop down.

  “We agreed you would stay here. I will look after you both.” He looked down at her, small beside him.

  “No, we didn’t agree. You agreed with yourself. Yesterday, I was tired, emotional—” Daniella said, but he interrupted.

  “Look, you are staying until then. I need to be sure you’re both okay, sim?”

  “But—”

  “There are no buts, Daniella. You are my family, and it’s my duty to take care of you. I’m not going to let you leave again.”

  Daniella tilted her head to the side and he could feel her almost hanging on to his last word. Again. His subconscious stepped into play and quizzed him. Was he referring to the day she’d walked out on him over five years ago or had it simply been a slip of the tongue? He mentally punished his subconscious for probing too deep. Be quiet!

  He needed her here, with him twenty-four hours a day if his plan was to work. Not have her wandering off. He needed to seduce her and get her into his bed. He now realized it was going to take time, not the overnight plan he’d initially anticipated. But he would have her. He would take her body for himself, and then he would throw her away. A small whisper of a voice reminded him of the unborn child and his heart sank with guilt. No, he had to stay focused, whatever the cost. Revenge, he reminded himself. It would be sweet at the end.

  Daniella started to shake. Her whole body trembled, right down to her toes.

  “No,” she said, shifting on the spot.

  “No?” He was surprised that she continued to argue with him.

  “No. You don’t own me, Luca. I have had my fair share of being a prisoner to a Venancio, and it will not happen again. The baby and I will be fine.” Her fists curled into tight balls, and her voice was full of determination.

  He took a few slow steps toward her. “What do you mean you will not be a prisoner again?”
he asked.

  She fidgeted in front of him and shook her head as if arguing with herself.

  “Your brother was no saint,” she said, looking up at him with sorrowful eyes.

  “I know that, but he tried to be good man. He won you over in the end, after all.”

  Daniella let out a soft laugh. “A good man? Would a good man do this?” She pointed to the bruising on her face. “Would a good man do this?” She pulled the cardigan aside to reveal scarring across her collarbone and shoulder. “I can continue if you’d wish?”

  Luca saw her catch her breath as if she was stopping herself from saying more.

  “What are you saying?” He rubbed his jaw, which was still aching from yesterday’s date with her palm. He was becoming more and more baffled trying to make sense of her words.

  “Nothing.” Daniella turned on her heel and started to retreat to the mansion. “Forget about it. I shouldn’t have…” Her voice trailed off and he was unable to catch her last words.

  Luca contemplated chasing after her, but instead he slumped back down into the wicker chair and held his head. What had just happened? What was Daniella suggesting? He had assumed his plan of revenge would be simple—gain her trust, seduce her, have her in his bed, and then discard her as if she meant nothing. It was foolproof, or so he’d thought.

  He sucked in a deep breath and decided it was obvious that Daniella must have been fabricating her victim story. He didn’t know where the bruising had come from exactly, but he was certain his brother would not have done such a thing. His own flesh and blood couldn’t possibly have caused so much hurt and disrespect to his wife. He may have been involved in a lot of bad things when it came to his gang life, but he wouldn’t hurt his wife. This was all part of her ploy to make Luca feel sorry for her, the innocent pregnant widow who needed support. He had to hand it to her, though, she was a fine actress and worthy of an Academy Award.

  He sat up straight, replaced his designer shades, and smiled to himself. If she wanted to play dirty, he was ready. Hardball was his strong point. It would make the revenge all that much sweeter, and he couldn’t wait to taste it.

  Chapter 5

  Luca insisted on taking her for the follow-up appointment with Dr. Menezes three days later, and now, Daniella stood clutching the black-and-white scan photograph. She’d wanted to protest about him taking her, but secretly a small part of her desperately wanted to see her baby again.

  After it was finished, she was handed a small but perfect image of her growing child. The black-and-white 4D photograph clearly revealed her baby holding up four fingers and a thumb in front of his or her face. The small, but obviously Venancio trait nose was visible, but the little hand covered the rest of the face as if not wanting to be disturbed. A wave of emotion washed over Daniella as realization hit her hard.

  The miracle of life was happening inside of her, and even if it had not been planned, she now realized her baby meant everything and more to her. Maternal instinct kicked in and the cruel conception suddenly seemed insignificant now that she had a life to care for.

  This was her baby.

  She held tightly on to the photograph with one hand and rested the other on her tummy. She wouldn’t let anyone, including Luca, take the child away from her. If that were what he had his mind set on, then she would be ready. She had protected herself from one brother and she could do it again.

  Since arriving at Luca’s home, she had made herself familiar with her new surroundings and its staff. Maria had been kind to her and was excited about the prospect of a new baby in the house. Daniella tried to explain that she and her baby wouldn’t be staying long, but Maria laughed and told her that would change. “Senhor Venancio adores you, my dear.”

  She and Luca had exchanged few words since her revelation about Miguel’s behavior.

  Perhaps he didn’t believe her?

  She knew she’d once been the love of his life, but things had now changed.

  Daniella turned her head and her heart raced uncontrollably like a butterfly trapped in her chest. His jaw was set tightly and his dark, brooding eyes were transfixed on the road as he concentrated on driving. His mocha-colored skin was clean-shaven and the smell of his masculine cologne filled her nostrils. Tearing her gaze away from him, she tried to compose herself, but his voice interrupted her.

  “We are leaving for New York in the morning.”

  “We?”

  “Yes, we.”

  “But… What…” New York. Her birthplace and home until the age of five. She could barely remember much of it, having been so young when she left. After her parents had passed away in a car accident, Daniella had been sent to stay with her paternal grandparents in Rio de Janeiro.

  “I have an urgent meeting and I need to be in New York for it. In person,” Luca explained as he turned the car into the driveway.

  “Okay…but surely I can stay here? I don’t need a bodyguard. Besides, you don’t want me hassling you.”

  She looked from her shaking hand which still held the photo and back up at Luca. She wasn’t sure how she felt about going back to New York, but her stomach was churning and she could feel the apprehension creeping upon her. She had lived with her grandparents in their town house and had never traveled outside of Rio. There had never been the opportunity. Until now.

  “You will not be hassling me. Besides, I would like you to be nearby, so I can make sure that you are both okay. I checked with the doctor and she said it’s fine for you to travel on this occasion. Humor me for a few more days?” Luca’s gaze dropped to the photograph still held tightly in her hand.

  “We will be fine, honest. Me…going along with you…it really isn’t necessary.”

  She wasn’t sure if she was ready to revisit the memories of losing her parents. She had only a couple of vivid memories of them and they were sweet. She didn’t want to ruin them.

  “Daniella, I know you’re worried about traveling to New York, and believe me, if I could hold this meeting anywhere in the world, I would. Unfortunately, it is completely out of my hands and I have to be there. I can’t, and I won’t, leave you here alone. You’re still getting your strength up and you need somebody around. After this trip, I will ensure all of my business is held in Rio.”

  “You mean I need you around?”

  “Exatamente!”

  * * * *

  They had flown into the Newark airport on Luca’s private jet last night and arrived at his apartment just after eight-thirty in the evening. His housekeeper had already prepared them a fine dinner of fillet steak, which he watched Daniella devour as her appetite returned. It was a severely cooler climate than Rio’s and Luca had phoned ahead, out of earshot, and instructed his housekeeper to shop for some warmer clothing for Daniella’s stay. He knew she would only object if she heard him make the call.

  The next morning, he went straight to his office to meet with his associates. He had left Daniella asleep in the guest room and instructed his housekeeper, Rose, to keep an eye on her. He knew she was physically still not one hundred percent and bringing her back to New York could possibly weaken her emotionally. It was a gamble he had taken, but there was no other choice. He wasn’t leaving her in Rio, miles away. She needed to be close wherever possible to strengthen his plan.

  Luca focused on the meeting agenda and tried to put the sleeping beauty out of his mind. He engaged in the usual humdrum business conversations before sealing the deal. It had been taking shape over the last several weeks and now it was finalized. He had his hands on a generously large amount of Saudi’s oil export and, after signing several pieces of watermarked paper, he pushed them back toward his attorney to settle up.

  “Gentlemen, it was a pleasure doing business with you.” He shook the hands of each of the men and turned to leave his office.

  Collecting his cellphone and briefcase, Luca made his way out into the bitter winter air and straight into the warmth of his awaiting, chauffeur-driven Bentley. They traveled across the city, in t
he direction of his home on the outskirts of Midtown Manhattan. The sun’s rays dazzled behind the skyscrapers and could have fooled anyone that it was the height of summer and not the midst of a record cold winter. The chauffeur parked the Bentley in the private basement and Luca took the elevator to his penthouse. He walked into the hallway and called out for Daniella. The apartment was silent and his voice echoed off of the chic whitewashed walls.

  She has gone. Deus maldito! She was physically and emotionally weak and now she was AWOL in Manhattan. She was vulnerable in a city she didn’t remember or know. Guilt started to consume him. How could he have let this happen?

  Throwing the keys on to the Italian marble work surface, he strode into the lounge and found the fresh flowers he’d sent her earlier in the day placed in a crystal cut vase, which was perfectly positioned in the center of the coffee table beside the sofa.

  There she was. Daniella was curled up on the sofa with her knees pulled up toward her chest. She had cocooned herself in one of the luxuriously soft bathrobes and a pair of his thick winter socks. Some of her curls had come loose from the band and framed her face, and her lashes fanned out in half circles and rested against the tops of her cheeks. Luca’s heart thumped hard. She was safe. The accompanying note that had been delivered with the bouquet was held between her fingers.

  Sleeping beauty, I didn’t want to wake you. I will be back by lunchtime. L.

  He crouched down beside her and settled his gaze on her lips, which were just parted as she softly breathed in and out. He inhaled deeply and reminded himself he needed to keep emotion out of this arrangement. Yes, she had the beauty of a goddess, but she also had the ability to change into a malicious enchantress.

  Remember.

  “Luca?” She began to stir and he came back to the present.

  “Sim. I’m here, Daniella.”

  Her eyes were closed and she mumbled in her sleep, “No, Miguel, you can’t hurt Luca. Please, I’ll do anything.”