Cherished (Adam & Ella) (9 page)

Adam felt like he could get the upper hand with Claudio. After all, he had what his father wanted, not the other way around. Sitting at his computer, he clicked over to the email he’d received from Claudio so long ago. It was before he had met Ella and before his father had attacked Serena, scarring her cheek. At the time, Adam had shrugged it off.

As if he’d really turn over his hard work on demand just like he did as a youth. It would be laughable, if it weren’t so dire. At the time, he hadn’t believed his father expected him to comply. Reading over the email, written to him in Italian, it carried more impact. Since that original request, much had happened.

It was clear now that Claudio meant business. Under no delusion about his father’s ruthlessness, Adam had taken measures to protect his family in any way he could. Still it hadn’t been enough. The scar on his mother’s cheek was evidence of that. Forces beyond Adam’s control resulted in harm, no matter how hard he’d tried to avoid it. After dinner the night before, he’s spoken to Serena, concerned for her mental and emotional wellbeing.

She assured him the incident with the notes had distressed her because it put her friends at risk, but she was not worried for herself. Adam had hugged her and touched the scar, etched along her cheekbone. There was no way to cure her limp, Claudio’s handiwork, but the scar was different. He’d offered to pay the plastic surgery costs for her. Shaking her head, she’d said, “Non
voglio nascondere il suo crimine,” her Italian declaration making clear: “I will not hide his crime.”

In his mother’s mind, the scar was a mark of pride. Claudio could not intimidate her. He’d attacked her; the scar was evidence of it. Serena wore it, keeping it there as a reminder of his crime against her. Too often in the past she’d been Claudio’s victim, but her fiery Italian spirit rose to stand strong against him. To Adam’s mother, the scar boldly said, “You can do what you will, but you won’t crush me.” The scar had become a badge of honor.

Coward that he was, Claudio never faced Adam directly. At best, he sent an email like the one on his computer screen, encapsulating his ridiculous demands. Or he attacked defenseless women, or it would seem, vulnerable church groups doing good for the community. But never man to man. His father was gutless. Adam had been willing to meet with him in person, to thwart his hopes of handouts. That offer had received no reply.

It boggled the mind to think that his father really expected him to just hand over the gaming software. But that is exactly what he’d been demanding from the beginning. He’d reminded Adam that the programs were initiated when he was still a minor, and Claudio still controlled the business; as if that gave him some right to them, or would persuade Adam to give him possession. Claudio had even implied the gambling software was his idea, which was an outright lie.

He wasn’t a child anymore. As an adult, he couldn’t be pushed around. And despite his offer to meet with Claudio, it would have been incredibly difficult to be in the same room with him. Hating his father as he did, it would have taken real strength not to explode. And he might have anyway.
If
he’d ever attended such a meeting. Yet the thought of seeing his father, in person, gave him a sick feeling in his stomach.

All the hours, the days, months, and years he’d been under Claudio’s thumb were a black cloud of oppression hanging over him. To this very day, the torture of sitting at a desk in a dim room as a boy, forgoing the activities of youth, was depressing. Those memories never vanished, nor could they be repressed. Any thought of his father—of the demands, of the endless scavenging of his talent—brought those visions vividly to mind.

Even to be in the same room with Claudio, to look at his face and into his malevolent eyes, was to feel the claws of insanity reach out to him. More than once in his teens, Adam had contemplated ending it all; taking his own life as his only means of escape. But his love for his family keep him going, knowing if he departed in that manner, they’d be left at the mercy of the man he abhorred. So, despite the torment, a quick death was not the solution it appeared to be.

Deep in his father’s eyes, he saw only a black soul, capable of evil. It was evil Adam experienced as his son, and continued to fight into adulthood. Would it ever end? It must. And finally, there was a way to get leverage against Claudio. There was hope. Adam contemplated
the potential, considering the outcome, much as he did when doing programming calculations. What swayed the odds in his favor was the influence of Taiz Mezzanetti, a force to reckon with.

Known as a man to obey in his own circle of influence, his reputation extended throughout the city. It was hard to imagine someone who hadn’t at least heard his name, and for most, the mention of it sent a shiver of fear down their spine.
Taiz was ruthless in his own right, but he was also a good businessman. More than Adam could say for Claudio. So, given that he saw more potential in legitimizing his business ventures, he would reform.

Adam did not delude himself that
Taiz had become the good guy. Deeply ingrained personality traits did not change overnight. But Adam’s plan played into Taiz’s greed. The deal would be lucrative for him, and there was no downside. Of course, he’d want to know why Adam chose him. As Adam had explained to Miguel, in the message to be relayed through his cousin to Taiz’s people, he was going to be honest.

Adam was selling to
Taiz to put those programs out of his father’s reach, and hope it deterred Claudio from pressuring him for others. His father was a vacuum for money. Thus, even selling him the software would not make him go away. He’d squander it and come back for more. It was the same pattern over and over. And, as his gambling debts evidenced, he took but did not give. Like a sponge, he soaked up money, but had no talent for creating it.

The obvious choice was to sell the programs his father was willing to kill to get his hands on, to someone who would know their true value and profit accordingly. But it must be someone his father wouldn’t dare attack. And however unwillingly, Claudio would be inclined to accede that the treasure, the software he coveted, was out of his grasp.
Permanently.

Playing into
Taiz’s ego was also advantageous. Stating that Taiz was a smart businessman, and a man Claudio would cower to, was the type of flattery that would soften him to Adam’s deal. The fact that it was also honest gave it more impact, putting the power of truth on his side.

Adam was anxious for Miguel to hear back from his cousin, Lucas, and find out if
Taiz would consider the business offer. However, playing this game with mobsters required patience. It was the result that mattered. Yet there wasn’t a lot of time. His father’s desperation was like a fuse, and the explosion wasn’t far off.

*****

Dinner and dancing would be a welcome diversion. Knowing Ella was as concerned as he was about what would happen next with Claudio, he was glad for an opportunity to show her a good time. The invitation had come from Violetta—an effort to socialize, it seemed, and put the past behind them. Adam hoped that was all there was to it. Having Fiorella and Adrian come with them was preferred. It was less awkward than just double dating with Vee and her new beau, Vittoro Esposito.

He’d checked with Ella to be sure it was okay with her. Not surprisingly, she’d agreed, excited to go dancing. Not one to hold a grudge, Ella wanted to interact with
Violetta in a social setting. She’d assured Adam that she believed his assurances that she had nothing to fear from Vee. Knowing that Violetta had been a part of his life for so long, Ella preferred to get to know her, disliking feeling excluded.

One of the things he found so endearing about Ella was her good heart. She was pure, and loved without reservation. Adam was bound to her, heart and soul. Ella was his true love and he would do nothing to hurt her. If he thought
Vee would be damaging, he would sever the relationship. But Ella had convinced him that she wanted to get to know Violetta, and as well as she could, understood what she’d been through.

Adam’s passion for Ella consumed him. He craved her beyond all reason, and could never get enough. He never would. She was more beautiful than she realized, though he told her often. And the fire of her passion aroused feelings in him beyond what he’d ever imagined. Their intimate moments together touched him deeply, and he felt closer to Ella than he thought possible. She completed him, made him whole. Without her, life would be intolerable.

He wore single-pleat slacks in a camel color with a fitted white short-sleeved shirt. The sleeves tapered to fit just above the bulge of his bicep. He’d slipped on his comfortable suede shoes and dabbed gel in his hair. A splash of cologne was the last touch, and he was ready. Italian breeding taught him to dress well. But for dancing he had to be comfortable, so a suit wasn’t an option. In fact, the black tuxedo tie Ella had rubbed across her belly as he’d undressed after the recent formal event, was the only tie Adam could remember ever wearing.

Exiting his separate dressing room, he took the few steps to the master suite and knocked on the door.
“Almost ready?”

He heard the click of heels on the
cheerywood floor before the door opened and Ella stepped into the hall. Adam whistled, causing Ella to blush. Wearing a royal blue dress, clinging to her breasts and ribs, and over her hips, she looked delectable. Her shoulders were bare except for the thin straps, more an accessory than anything. The way the bodice of the dress stretched tightly over her curves there was no chance of it falling down. The skirt of the dress flared into light ruffles, giving her leg room for dancing. Even with the high heels, he still looked down at her.

She wore the blue garnet necklace he’d given her, and just the sight of it caused his cock to stir beneath his pants. Recalling her naked with nothing on but the necklace was something he’d never forget. Wearing the necklace, she exuded grace, beauty, and sexuality. He wanted to slowly strip every shred of clothing off of her, leaving only the blue garnets against her bare skin.

“We’re going dancing, right?”

Ella’s innocent comment didn’t fool him. He’d seen her blush and knew the look in her eye. Her emotions weren’t hard for him to read. “Yes, and we better go. Seeing you in that dress has me hard for you. I won’t be able to resist the urge to rip it off, if we don’t get out of here. In public, you might be safe,” he teased.

Adam touched the soft brown curls flowing over her shoulders, and gazed into her big brown eyes. Pulling her into a possessive embrace, he said, “Just remember, you’re mine tonight. You’ll have plenty of male attention in that tight dress, so I’ll have to keep my eyes on you.”

Ella put her fingertips lightly on his cheek, making his blood race. “I’m not likely to forget. I don’t want any other man. But the same goes for you. Don’t be drooling over any of the
other women tonight. And I know Violetta will outdo all of us. She probably looks gorgeous in her sweatshirt and underwear, if she even owns a sweatshirt.”

“You are the most beautiful woman I know. Sweatshirt, dance dress, or naked—it’s only you I have eyes for,” Adam said. Lowering his mouth to hers, he gave her a sweet kiss. He was tempted to go further, very tempted, but he dared not give in to the urge.

In
Gávea, one of Rio’s ritziest neighborhoods, sat 00, pronounced “zero zero.” The modern lounge was surrounded by beautiful gardens, and had a large, airy patio. Adam had been there a few times before and enjoyed the gourmet contemporary cuisine. The crowd was young, and like all Cariocas, loved to party. He was a true Carioca, born in Rio—unlike most of the residents who thought of themselves as such, but were not born in the city.

Partying and dancing was in his blood. Droll cocktail parties always bored Adam, and he felt odd, never knowing what to talk about with others. But dancing he understood and Ella had gotten the feel for the rhythm too. The dance floor at 00 offered the latest electronic sounds and he was looking forward to a night of food, music, and dancing. He just hoped he wasn’t making a mistake agreeing to party with
Violetta.

Fiorella
looked classy in her mint-green dance dress with her lips glossed in pink and her reddish-brown hair soft and flowing. She looked like an Italian princess, petite and lovely. Adrian, his dark hair devilishly messy, pressed close to her as they danced a slow number. Adam was content that his sister had found a man that cared for her. Adrian had been a friend for a long time, and his loyalty was above question. The fact that the handsome rogue had fallen for Fiorella pleased Adam, as he wanted a good future for her, including Adrian’s adoration.

It warmed Adam’s heart to see the bond Ella had formed with his sister. Knowing how rough it had been for her with her own family made it sweeter to know that
Fiorella was as much like a sister to her as to him. Holding Ella, feeling her hand in his and her body pressed against him, Adam thought again of seeing her naked, adorned with only the blue gems around her neck. Aroused, he tried to shift his attention to something else. But with her in his arms that was impossible.

“There you are.”
Violetta’s voice boomed across the dance floor. He stopped to look, Ella still in his arms. In long graceful strides, she made her way over to them. Adam thought of a gazelle as he watched her—tall and elegant, long legs and slender arms. Like the animal, she was light on her feet, gliding smoothly through the room.

Her black hair, full but straight as a board, gleamed as she walked and flowed in the air. It made Adam think of the photographs he’d seen her pose for where the set included a fan blowing gently on the air like natural breeze. She wore an off-white blouse and skirt with several beaded necklaces. For any other woman, the pale outfit would have washed them out, leaving them
palid and unnoticeable.

Not so for
Vee. Her olive skin and lime-green eyes contrasted with the white backdrop, giving her a colorful radiance. He could just imagine snapping a picture of her right then, and seeing it splashed across the pages of a glossy magazine. Women seeing her in the outfit would rush out to buy exactly the same items, hoping to look as gorgeous in it. That they would be sorely disappointed was certain, as no one enhanced clothing like Vee.

“I told you she’d look gorgeous,” Ella whispered in his ear, and he tightened his grip on her, protectively.

“Hi, Violetta,” Ella said, and for a moment Vee looked away from Adam, casually examining Ella.

“Ciao,”
Violetta said dismissively.

Out of politeness, Adam released Ella long enough to give
Vee a quick hug. “You look as stunning as always,” he said, not awed, but obliged to compliment her.

“How kind of you, Adam,” she said, her words clearly ringing false.

Adam had known Vee for a long time, and although he couldn’t predict her, he did sense her mood. She was a bit caustic when she greeted Ella, and tended to look at Adam when speaking. If she was trying to pretend Ella didn’t exist, it wasn’t going to work.

“Let’s go sit. I need a break,” Adam said, and put his arm around Ella, guiding her off the dance floor. He didn’t look at
Vee or wait for her, assuming she’d follow. If she expected him to talk to her, she’d need to watch her manners.

They approached the table and Adrian stood, greeting
Violetta and giving her a hug. Vee leaned over and hugged Fiorella. The gentlemen waited for the ladies to take their seat before taking their own.

“I heard you have been seeing someone. Wasn’t he coming with you tonight?”
Fiorella asked.

Vee
tossed her hair and smiled. “He’s coming. He knows the owner. They’re chatting for a minute. He should be right here.” Drinks had been served, and Adam flagged the waitress to take Violetta’s order.

Noticing Ella take a sip of her red wine, he lifted his glass and clinked against hers. “To loving you,” he said softly, only for Ella’s ears. Taking a sip, he watched Ella. She looked amazingly sexy in the clingy dress, and he remembered the feel of her against him.

If Ella was concerned about Vee, she didn’t show it. She smiled back at him, taking a sip of her wine, and it looked like she was having a good time.

“Sorry I got hung up there for a minute. Ciao.” The man standing next to
Vee was tall and handsome. He had short, dark, wavy hair, and deep brown eyes. Lean and muscular, sharply dressed in a blazer and slacks, he was Violetta’s type.

The men she dated—at least the ones Adam had met—were Italian heartthrobs and very rich. This one was too. The fabric and fit told Adam the blazer was from a respected Italian designer, and it was tailored to fit him like a glove. He had a gold chain around his neck and a gem-encrusted ring on the middle finger of his right hand.

He was all class, and Violetta’s warm smile in his direction told Adam that she intended to snare him, at least for the present. He had to admit, Vee was hard for most men to resist. Adam had never found her so, despite her exceptional beauty. But he was relieved to see she was seeing another man, hoping her interest in him had finally faded.

“Ciao,”
Violetta said. “Let me introduce you.” Taking the man’s hand and pressing it to her lips, she turned back to the table and said, “This is Vittoro Esposito. We met recently in Milan.” Waving toward each person as she spoke, Vee made the introductions; then pulled Vittoro into the seat next to her.

Polite conversation followed and Adam went quiet. Social interactions were never comfortable for him.
Vittoro was attentive to his date, and that was the most important to Adam. Learning that Vitto, as Vee called him affectionately, was a magazine publisher made the two of them an even better match, offering possibilities for both love and opportunity.

Surely that concept was not lost on
Vee. Being a popular supermodel and having a wealthy magazine publisher as your lover couldn’t hurt career advancement. And the tabloids would be all over it. Any high-profile relationship was fodder for gossip. But a little gossip never bothered Violetta. Over the years, Adam had learned that she thrived on attention—the more public the better. Thus, her affair with a wealthy and handsome publisher making the news would delight as opposed to annoy her.

Adam stroked Ella’s hair affectionately and ran his fingers over her back, bare skin revealed by the low-cut design. He couldn’t wait to get her alone, and the longer the conversation at the table went on, the more he wanted to carry her off. As he looked over at her, Ella met his gaze. She gave him a little shrug, letting him know she was aware of the tedium, but didn’t quite know how to escape it. Like Adam, she didn’t enjoy petty chitchat, as she’d established at the first party they’d attended together in Newport.

Finally, probably as much from boredom as necessity, Ella pushed back her chair and said, “Off to the ladies’ room. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Adam kissed her hand, hating to be separated even for such a short time. Releasing her hand, he turned back to the table and Violetta stood up. The band had started up again.

“Aren’t you going to ask me to dance?”
Violetta said.

Vitto
shrugged and gave Adam a non-committal smile. Refusing Vee would be impolite, and although Adam was willing to risk that, he decided it would be better to dance than make her irate. With her sudden mood shifts, it was easy to push her into an emotional state. The evening would go much better if he avoided that. He wanted to have a good time with Ella, and preferred that she not witness a Violetta tantrum. So he stood and held out his hand to her. “If Vitto will allow me…”

Off they went to the dance floor,
Violetta swishing her hips, her skirt clinging seductively and her heels clicking on the polished wood. When she swayed in front of him, with a mischievous look in her green eyes, nearly fluorescent under the ceiling lights, Adam began to doubt his acquiescence. Possibly it would have been better to decline the dance. Unfortunately, with Vee he never knew until it was too late.

The electric beat pounded through the room, and Adam tried to enjoy the rhythm. Yet
Vee danced too close, and kept bumping against his hip. Brazilian dancing was wild and vibrant, so he let it slide. It was only a dance, after all. Violetta threw her hair around, following the beat, and kicked high, showing her shapely leg though the slit in her skirt.

As the dance continued, Adam didn’t doubt that
Vee was seducing him. Vain and wanting to be the center of attention, she danced boldly, making suggestive moves and gliding around him. He gripped her hand on one pass so she wouldn’t fall. Instead of resuming her step, Violetta used the motion to press against him. It was all so quick, and he was just about to grab her waist and hold her away from him, when she put both hands behind his head and pulled him to her.

Tall in her high heels, it was an easy feat to press her mouth against his. Adam felt her lips on his, and for a split second, was dazed. It couldn’t be happening. Then it got worse.
Vee pressed her hips against him and ground them in a circle to the music. Enough. Adam pulled her away from him, and right behind her saw Ella.

Vee
gave him a practiced look of innocence, but he looked past her at the woman he loved. The pain in his heart was as sharp as a knife. Ella looked at him, her brown eyes wide, and her expression revealed shock.

“Ella,” he said, pushing
Vee to the side. Tears filled Ella’s eyes, and she turned to walk away.

“Adam,”
Violetta called in a sweet voice, but he just kept walking. Ella began to jog, trying to get away from him, and he strode quickly to catch up. Out on the edge of the patio, away from the lights, he found her. Ella’s sobs hurt him to the core. To see her upset, crushed by what she witnessed and knowing what she must think, was unendurable.

“Ella,” he said, placing his hand on her low back.

But she didn’t respond.

“I have to explain,” Adam said.

Through her heavy sobs, Ella said, “I’m tired of you explaining.”

Desperate to make her understand, Adam wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his embrace. “When you left, she asked me to dance. I should have known it wasn’t a good idea, but I thought it was better to be polite. I was wrong. It was a mistake.

“I love you so much, Ella. You are breaking my heart. I can’t stand to see you cry, especially knowing I caused it. She was dancing suggestively. I should have ended it there.

“Then she slipped on the floor, and I reached out to grab her arm. Once I touched her, it all happened so fast.”

“You were kissing,” Ella sobbed against his chest.

“Only she was,” Adam said. “She pressed her body against mine and kissed me. At that precise second, you saw us. It looked like we were together, but we weren’t. If you’d come a fraction of a second later, you’d have seen me pull her away from me.”

Ella looked up, her sobs slowing, but her eyes still wet with tears. “Just seeing you together, seeing your lips sealed with hers, was…was…”

Adam stroked her jaw with his fingertips. “You are the only woman I want to kiss. It was a mistake to dance with her. But I didn’t kiss her. I love you, Ella. I wouldn’t do that. I wouldn’t want to.”

“Not even with Violetta? She’s so gorgeous. Every man must want her.”

“No, not every man. I don’t. Gorgeous or not, she’s not the woman for me. I’ve never wanted her…in that way. She’s unbalanced; she always has been. But that’s no excuse. What she did is wrong. It won’t happen again. There won’t be any opportunity.”

“Adam.” Ella’s voice touched Adam’s heart. He loved her so much. She had to know that.

A few feet away, a tall form stood at the edge of the light. Adam looked over to see
Vitto standing there. “I’m sorry to intrude,” he said.

Hesitating, he stepped closer. No one responded.

“Violetta wishes to convey that she is sorry. I saw what happened. I know what she’s like. She regrets any upset she caused.”

“
Vee needs to learn to control herself,” Adam said.

“I couldn’t agree more. I know she needs constant reassurance that she is gorgeous and that she is loved. She’s shared her background with me, and I can see why she behaves as she does,”
Vitto said.

“Well, you must know that I have no attachment to her. We grew up together. We’ve been friends and I tried to help her when I could. But you have no competition from me,” Adam said.