Revenge in Rio Read online

  He poured himself a single measure of fine whiskey into a crystal tumbler and brought it to his lips. The heat numbed his throat as he savored the expensive taste. The spectacular panoramic view of New York beckoned him. He opened the sliding glass door and stepped out onto the balcony. The sounds of steadily flowing traffic filled the cold air that whipped at his cheeks. He took another sip of the liquor and was thankful for the warmth it gave to his throat and stomach. New York had welcomed him wholeheartedly just over five years ago when he had made the choice to leave Brazil. Now it was his home and Brazil…was a lifetime ago.

  It was ironic he had chosen to set up home in the very state Daniella had been born in. Perhaps he had been influenced subconsciously?

  He would stay in Rio for the exact amount of time it took to have his revenge and then he would be on the first flight out. There was nothing to bind him to that part of the world any longer.

  The skyline dazzled with thousands of lights, shining from various offices, homes, and street lamps. They illuminated the onyx black sky and reflected in the Hudson River far below him. Why would he want to go back to Rio to stay when he had all of this? He tried to convince himself as he threw back the last of the liquor.

  Luca closed the balcony door and strolled toward Daniella’s room. The sound of the shower running signaled she wasn’t asleep and his mind filled with images of her naked body covered in droplets of water, her hair slick down the curve of her back. Focus!

  He opened the door quietly and entered her room. The en-suite door was ajar and steam swirled through the small gap. Luca followed the floral scent, which filled the humid air around him. He knew he was invading her privacy when he pushed gently against the open door, but he couldn’t help it. His primitive instincts were leading him astray. Steam poured out of the room and surrounded him, dampening his shirt. He took a couple steps into the bathroom and tried to make out Daniella’s silhouette through the mist. Her voice broke the silence as she started to hum a tune. He leaned casually against the basin and crossed his ankles. With the en-suite door now open the steam was thinning and the shower door panel was becoming transparent

  Her back was turned, and her curls had disappeared; her hair was smooth and slick over her shoulders and down the length of her back. A primeval need overcame him—he wanted to take her in the shower, against the glass windowpane, fast and slow.

  No.

  He needed patience and plenty of it.

  Not tonight. But surely he could indulge in a small appetizer?

  Luca watched as she bent over slightly to turn off the faucet, unaware that she was teasing him with her curves. He picked up one of the soft Egyptian cotton towels stacked on the shelf and had it ready to hand to her. He was meant to be playing the part of a gentleman, after all.

  * * * *

  Daniella sighed as she ran her hands over her wet hair, wringing it out to the side. The water had relaxed her mind, body, and soul, and prepared her for sleep. Returning to New York had been an emotional move. Now back in the city that never sleeps, she was unsure of herself and didn’t know how to manage her feelings. She felt guilty for not being able to remember her parents and happy family memories. Part of her wished she’d stayed in Rio. It was all she had known for the last twenty years. She reached for the handle and slid the door aside.

  The scream left her lips as soon as she laid eyes on the man in front of her. Luca was mere inches from her, casually resting against the basin as if he had the God-given right to be there.

  “What are you doing? Get out!” She attempted to cover her body with her hands.

  His gaze wandered across her body, burning into her skin. She stood naked in front of him and was completely exposed to his gaze

  His lips curved upward, a playful smirk settling upon them. He hesitated for a moment before extending the towel to her. “Here.”

  “Get out!” she repeated, snatching the towel away from him and holding it tightly against her body.

  He stepped forward and stood close to her. She kept her gaze on him. His stare was so intense that she was beginning to feel faint. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him remove his hands from his trouser pockets and reach up for her towel…her shield from him.

  He gently tugged on the material and before she realized it had slipped from her hands and he had tossed it across the bathroom.

  “I’m not ready to leave yet.” His words were said with such intensity, she knew he was serious. She caught sight of her reflection in the mirror, and fear and anger filled her face.

  He placed both his hands on the side of the shower doorframe and leaned toward her, blocking her only exit. She let her gaze fall on his parted lips; their softness called to her. He stepped up into the shower, his clothed body now touching her slick, wet skin. Daniella moved back but her shoulders and buttocks met the cold, tiled wall. She had no way of escaping, even if she’d wanted to. A small part of herself wanted him closer, needed him against her, his strong hands on her body once more.

  Luca took hold of her wrists and held them gently, but firmly, just above her head. “You are…so beautiful…Daniella,” he whispered as he placed soft kisses along her jaw before his open mouth met her lips.

  She could feel herself giving into his touch. Her mind raced, battling to remain strong and not cave in as she responded to his hot lips. He held her hands higher against the tiles, and her shoulders and breasts rose and fell with the each breath she fought to suck in. He broke away from the kiss and lowered his head to meet her right breast. Taking her erect and sensitive nipple between his lips, Luca grazed his tongue over the small bud and teased it gently between his teeth, adding just enough pressure to make her to cry out with pleasure. Daniella wanted to be released so she could be free to run her hands over his muscular chest and dig her nails into his golden flesh as he brought her closer to the edge.

  As if he knew her thoughts, Luca let go of one hand and traced his own down the outline of her body, skimming over her full breasts and hips. He nudged her softly and she felt his hand between her thighs. Her body stiffened automatically and she closed her eyes.

  He won’t hurt me, he won’t hurt me.

  The niggling thought at the back of her mind was there to remind her of Miguel and his violent attacks upon her. She wanted to tell Luca, but couldn’t even say it out loud to herself. She had told nobody, as instructed by her late husband. He had repeatedly taken her against her will. He had raped her, his wife, yet she still had to maintain the perfect marriage façade even though he was now dead.

  “Relax,” Luca whispered into her ear, the stubble on his jaw scratching her cheek.

  She tried to relax, but her body was not cooperating with her brain. The last five years she had been told not to argue back, not to think, to not have a say in any matter. Now having freedom, she was completely ill-equipped to use it.

  His hand settled on her hip and interrupted her thoughts. He released her second hand and cupped her face with both.

  “I’m sorry. Forgive me, querida. I shouldn’t have done this.” He rested his forehead against hers. “It seems I cannot control myself around you.”

  Daniella draped her arms around his neck and held him tightly against her body. Words escaped her. How could she tell him that she desperately wanted him, physically needed him, but mentally she wasn’t ready? She couldn’t find a way to explain that his brother had left her unable to trust, that she was full of fear to even be near another man. I just can’t tell him.

  Firstly, she couldn’t find the words or the courage. Second, what was the point when Luca would just accuse her of making up vicious lies about his brother? Even though they had a volatile relationship, he still wouldn’t believe what she had to say about Miguel. Or perhaps, more to the point, he did not want to believe her. In his eyes, she had left him, rejected him for his sibling.

  “It won’t happen again.” He took her hands and kissed them. “I’ll leave you to get some sleep.”

  * * * *<
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  Early the next morning, Daniella sat at the kitchen breakfast bar and looked down at the steaming mug of coffee that Rose handed to her. Daniella stirred in some extra milk.

  “Coffee always starts my morning off beautifully.” Luca took a mouthful of his own just-black coffee.

  He wore another sharp gray suit, with a royal navy shirt and tie. It fit his body perfectly and made him look as if he had stepped right out of the latest copy of GQ.

  “Mmm,” she agreed, and nodded toward the housekeeper who was busying herself with breakfast. “Thank you, Rose.”

  The hot liquid traveled down her throat and hit her empty stomach, filling it with luxurious warmth. Her tummy made a loud rumble as she watched Rose cooking bacon and eggs. She returned her gaze to Luca and asked, “So, what is the plan today?”

  “I have to go back into work for a few hours, and you will be coming with me.”

  “Oh, Luca, please, not this again. You don’t need to watch my every single move. I’m fine staying right here.”

  “It will do you some good to get out and have a change of scenery for more than an evening. Some daylight, some sunshine. Fresh air in your lungs.”

  He did have a point. She had only stepped out of the building for a couple of hours last night. She looked over her shoulder toward the enormous lounge windows. The sun was rising over the skyscrapers that made up the city.

  Why was she reluctant? Last night’s actions had shaken her, yes, but it was more than that. She was scared to embrace New York. Frightened that she would remember it and her parents and then be left with nothing concrete to hold on to. To remember was dangerous. To let herself feel was just insanity. She had been through enough heartache to last her a lifetime and wasn’t sure if she had any room for more. Staying put at Luca’s home, surrounded by the safety of walls until it was time to leave for Rio, suited her fine.

  “I don’t want to go out. I’m happy to stay here and…help Rose.”

  Luca tilted his head to the side and watched her intently. Was she some sort of behavior study to him? She couldn’t figure him out.

  “I think she has it covered here. It’s just for a couple of hours, then we can do whatever you would like this afternoon, sim?”

  He kept his gaze on her eyes and didn’t blink. Was this his tactic to see who would look away first or was he trying to genuinely understand her? His gaze was fixed on hers and neither blinked. His stare didn’t falter and remained intense, she felt it almost searing through to her soul and her heart responded. But she was still uneasy and the heat spread to her cheeks. She hated being the center of attention and right now his total attention was on her.

  “Okay.” She was the first to look away. “I’ll go if it means that much to you.”

  They finished their breakfast and Daniella retreated to her room to wash and dress whilst Luca glanced through a new work proposal. She opened the wardrobe and saw outfit after outfit with suitable adjustments for the third trimester of her pregnancy. Even though having Luca flashing his cash about frustrated and annoyed her, she admitted it was a nice gesture and extremely thoughtful. She dressed quickly, slipping on black, chunky knit tights and a plum-colored, cashmere, knee-length dress. She looked in the mirror and admired her now obviously accentuated bump.

  Luca guided her to the elevator and down to the basement garage. He placed his warm hand on the small of her back as they walked side by side. Daniella shuddered as goose bumps covered her body, independently reacting to his touch.

  Luca greeted his on-hand chauffeur in the building’s reserved car park. “I won’t be needing you today.”

  Once Daniella had fastened her seatbelt, he fired up the engine and smiled at her. “Beautiful, isn’t she? Let me introduce my baby, my Bugatti Veyron 16.4.”

  Daniella watched his playful smile and teased him. “Boys and their toys. Is this supposed to impress me?” She was enjoying the flirtatious banter between them and shrugged off the embarrassment of yesterday’s moments in the shower.

  He laughed. “No, but I know it does.”

  Luca drove through the city streets with confidence, quickly weaving the impressive vehicle in and out of the lanes. She watched him change the gears; he certainly knew how to handle the fast car. She felt safe and smiled grimly as she thought he had complete control over the vehicle, just like he did over her. Closing her eyes, she remembered his hands on her yesterday and the passion he had held back. She opened her eyes and forced herself to look out of the window.

  Focus on something else and not him!

  * * * *

  Luca led her to a row of glass elevators. They crossed the marble floor of the reception foyer, passing by the group of immaculately groomed administration staff. Luca saw a couple of them glance toward Daniella and his hand on the small of her back as he guided her. Once they were out of view inside the elevator, she pulled her coat tightly around her. “I feel like a goldfish in here. When you designed this place, why did you choose glass for everything? Even at your home here and in Rio, why is that?”

  Luca put his hands in his pockets and took a couple of steps around the capsule shape. “Truthfully?”

  She shrugged. “Of course.”

  “Well, to be honest, it reminded me of you. You loved the light and open spaces and I just took that with me.”

  He realized it was ludicrous to have held onto her, even though he couldn’t have her, but he had kept a small part of her with him wherever he went. He’d just had to. He simply couldn’t let go of her and forget. He needed to get her out of his system once and for all.

  Remember why you’re doing this.

  Fabricated images of Daniella and Miguel played in slow motion in his mind as his gut tightly knotted. He couldn’t bear to consider the two of them together, the two of them being intimate. She had been his and then simply dumped him like trash for his brother. He needed to focus and not fall for her pity-me illusion.

  She stared at him for a moment before reaching for his hand. “Oh, Luca. I don’t know what to say. I…I’m sorry. I had to—”

  “Shh.” He placed his finger against her lips to silence her. “It doesn’t matter. Anyway, I kind of like the light myself. Vitamin D, right?”

  Daniella frowned and kept hold of his hand. She stared silently through the glass as they rode toward the top floors. The doors glided open and his personal secretary, Jude, greeted them from behind her desk. She was leggy and slim, a catwalk model like with honey blonde hair down to her waist. The perfect rouge lipstick had been applied to her pouty lips and matched her long, well-manicured fingernails. She fit in amongst his work life and environment perfectly. Immaculate. Controlled. Flawless. Luca knew that she desired him, but it would never be in the cards. She was good at her job, and exceedingly nice on the eye, but that was where it ended. Work and private life were kept completely separate on all accounts.

  “Good morning, sir…madam?” She nodded at Daniella with raised eyebrows. Luca had never brought guests into his office before, not even his associates. The meetings were always held in the boardroom. His office was his space alone, yet there he was bringing his ex-lover into it. He could see the look of surprise on Jude’s face.

  * * * *

  Three hours later, Luca glanced across to where Daniella was sitting cross-legged on the armchair. She had shuffled it around, positioning it so it faced out of the window to look upon the city below. She’d silently sat in that same position since he had started to work.

  “I’m all done here. Why don’t we go and get some lunch?”

  She broke her intense gaze with the city’s horizon and looked him directly in the eye. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Anything. Fire away.” He crouched beside the chair and waited for her to speak. Her eyes were open wide and appeared a deeper shade of green than usual. They were entrancing and captured him.

  “Why did you let that boy just walk away last night?”

  Luca ran his hand through his hair and down
over his face as he sighed. “I didn’t just let him walk away. Do you think that was an easy decision? You…you and the child are my first and foremost priority. Believe me.”

  Her gaze was firmly fixed on his now and her eyebrows rose in question. He owed her a clearer explanation.

  “Daniella, when we were together before, there were things I never told you.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “Although Miguel so kindly filled in a lot of the spaces on my behalf...” He took hold of her hand. “Did he tell you about how I found my way into business exactly?”

  She fidgeted in the seat. “No, he didn’t give me details, but he said something about you being given everything and not earning it.”

  “Sim. I guess he would say that.” Anger rose in his gut and he tried to tone down the level of sarcasm his tone held. He paused for a moment and concentrated on her hand in his. “That’s not true. I have worked my ass off for every single cent I have. I was not given anything on a silver platter as Miguel cared to make out. What I was offered was a chance…an opportunity to better myself.”

  “You always told me that you had won some sort of scholarship?”

  “I know, and I am sorry that I wasn’t entirely honest with you back then. Perhaps I was ashamed of the actual facts.” He took a deep breath. “I was exactly the same as that kid the other night, Daniella. I pickpocketed, I thieved, hell I did all sorts that I’m not proud of. Things I didn’t want you to know about. Maybe lucky for me, but the last guy I stole from was a successful businessman who saw perhaps the smallest glimmer of hope for me. He offered me a chance to repay for my behavior and earn a living away from the streets.”

  Her eyebrows drew together as she stared back at him and her hand twitched under his own. The man’s words still rang clearly in his mind from all those years ago. We all deserve a second chance. Take it kid, because there definitely won’t be a third.

  “I see,” Daniella whispered.

  “That boy…well, I just wanted to believe that some good could come out of a bad situation. It worked for me. I saw a little of myself in him and wanted to do the best I could. You and the baby were okay. Believe me, if you had been hurt in the slightest, I would have dealt with him once and for all. You have to trust me.”