Finding Beauty in the Darkness Read online

  Natalie smiles warmly at Aria, then says, “Absolutely, sir. My first date isn’t for a couple hours.”

  Natalie and I walk over to the bed, and after I unlatch the handcuffs—Natalie pretending like she isn’t seeing any of this—we each take one of Aria’s arms and slowly raise her until she’s on her feet. Aria tries to shake my hand off her arm, which only makes me hold on to her tighter.

  “Do you think I could borrow another shirt and boxers?” she quietly asks, reminding me that I ordered her some clothes.

  “I have some clothes for you. I wasn’t sure of your size so I had a couple different sizes delivered. I’ll place them in the bathroom. Just let me know which sizes fit best and I can order you more. I also had the housekeeper put some toiletries in the shower for you. Shaving cream, a razor, shampoo…If you prefer any certain brand just let me know and I’ll have her pick them up.”

  Aria stares at me for a moment like she’s trying to figure out my motive. Then she shakes her head and mumbles out a “thanks.”

  After both women are inside the bathroom, I head out to give them some space. Rome, who is guarding the door, gives me a curt nod as I walk downstairs.

  “Emilio, my usual.” The bartender goes about making me a whiskey neat and places it on the bar top with a napkin.

  “Grazie.”

  Sitting at the bar, I sip my drink and scroll through emails and texts on my phone. Several men come and go. Some stop to say hello and others just nod. I spot Cecilia speaking to one of the members while tapping away on her iPad, most likely scheduling him in. Several women who work for me smile at me as they meet with the men they are scheduled to escort, either to bed or out somewhere.

  One of the women sits on a gentleman’s lap in the common room. She’s laughing at whatever he’s saying and I recognize him immediately. He gave a hefty sum to one of the organizations Weston took part in. Now that I think about it, I remember seeing them at several dinners together.

  I walk over and stop in front of them. “Kelly, would you mind giving Mr. Wentworth and me a moment?”

  “Yes, Sir.” She gets off Phillip Wentworth’s lap and makes herself scarce.

  “What can I do for you, Mr. Valentino?”

  “I’m sorry to interrupt your time with Kelly. I’m hoping you can help me locate someone. I have some unfinished business with Senator Hightower but it seems we keep missing each other. It’s an urgent sensitive matter.”

  Phillip frowns. “The last I heard, he was looking for his stepdaughter. He wasn’t sure when he would be returning. Apparently, he’s concerned because he hasn’t heard from her since she took off after her mom died.” So that’s what that fucker is saying…

  “You wouldn’t happen to have a way to contact him, would you? I have his business number on file, but it seems he didn’t leave me his personal one. Must have been an oversight on one of our parts.” I’ve spoken to Cecilia about this. I don’t give a shit how powerful the man is, she needs to get every damn number available in the future.

  Pulling out his cell phone, he gives me the senator’s personal number and I program it into my phone. “I appreciate it. Are you enjoying yourself?”

  “Yes, Kelly is such a delight. It’s too bad my wife can’t be more like her.” It no longer shocks me when I hear comments like this. What I don’t understand is why when a man isn’t happy in his marriage, instead of trying harder to make it work, he would rather stray with new pussy. If that’s the case, why get married at all? Just stay single and fuck anyone you want.

  I chuckle softly. “Good, I’ll let you get back to her. If you need anything, please let me know.”

  “Will do.” I shake Phillip’s hand and then find Kelly to let her know she can rejoin him.

  Closing the door to my office, I dial the senator’s number to see if he answers.

  “Hello.”

  “Senator, I’m so glad you answered.”

  “Who is this?”

  “I’m the man who has the woman you are supposedly out looking for.”

  “Giovanni, how did you get this number?”

  “That’s not of importance. What is important, however, is whether the rumors are true. Are you out searching for Aria?”

  “N-no, I’m not. But it would be wise of you to return her to me.”

  “Is that a threat I hear?”

  “I’m not threatening you. But this is a family matter and it would be best if Aria is returned.” His words grate me.

  “Family? How would the people of Nevada feel about how you treat your family? I’m not sure they would be too pleased to know you’ve been holding your dead wife’s daughter captive for almost a year while raping her.”

  “What did that bitch tell you?” Weston screams, losing his cool. I ignore his question and the fact that he just called Aria a bitch. This fucker will get his in due time.

  “What I want to know is why.”

  “Why what?” he booms.

  “Why have you been holding her captive? Why do you want her back so badly? What are you hiding, Senator?”

  The phone line goes dead. I’ve hit a nerve. Senator Hightower is hiding something and I’m going to figure out what it is.

  Me: Aria is no longer your family. If you come anywhere near her, I will personally end your life. She’s mine.

  I’m not expecting him to answer, but I know he got my message. Now I need to have Johnny start looking into Aria’s past and why Weston Hightower so desperately wants her in his possession until she’s twenty-two.

  Chapter Ten

  ARIA

  “Thank you for helping me shower and get dressed.” The woman Giovanni brought in, Natalie, has been such a godsend. She helped me shower, shave my legs and arm pits, wash my hair, and blow dried it so it’s not soaking wet. I can’t remember the last time my body and hair felt so clean… Oh wait. Yes, I do. Nine fucking months ago! I take a deep, calming breath before I work myself up.

  Natalie is holding out Victoria’s Secret sweatpants for me to step into. The bleeding has finally reduced to light spotting, the clotting all behind me, and it feels good to be able to put on a pantyliner and regular underwear instead of living in Giovanni’s boxers.

  I pull the pants up, then reach for the matching tank top. My ribs are still sore, but at least now I can walk a bit more and reach over my head when necessary. Natalie helps me put on my tank top.

  “Do you work for Giovanni?” I ask, making conversation. It’s been a long time since I’ve had anyone to converse with. She gives me a nervous look. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. I was just trying to make conversation. I’ve been stuck in a basement with no social interaction for almost a year.”

  Natalie’s eyes bug out, and I note not to start off my conversations like that in the future.

  “Yes, I work for Mr. Valentino.”

  “What do you do here?” I remember she said something about going on her first date… Could that be work related?

  “I think you should probably ask Mr. Valentino that.”

  “Ask me what?” Giovanni walks in, looking like the powerhouse businessman I first met. I haven’t seen him in a suit since I arrived, making me forget how sexy he looks when he’s dressed to impress. I really need to tame down these thoughts. This is the same guy who handcuffed me to the damn headboard earlier, trying to make a claim on me like it’s the 1800s. He is not someone I need to be attracted to, especially if my suspicions are correct and he’s in the mob.

  “Sir, Aria was just wondering what I do for you…for work.”

  “You look beautiful all cleaned up, Aria.” It doesn’t go over my head that he’s changed the subject without responding to what Natalie’s said. “The clothes fit good. Very…pink.” He points to the bright pink Victoria’s Secret sweats I’m sporting with an equally pink tank top. “Do you need anything else from Natalie before she heads back downstairs?”

  “Nope. Thank you, Natalie.” I shoot her a grateful smile.

  “My pleasu
re. If you end up staying around, come find me. We can hang out.”

  She exits the bathroom, leaving Giovanni and me alone. “So…”

  “So, what?” He tilts his head to the side, confused.

  “What does Natalie do as your employee?”

  Giovanni frowns, taking my arm in his, and helps me back to bed. There’s a tray of food waiting on the nightstand for us. Helping me sit in bed, he pulls the fresh sheets up and places the tray of food on my lap before sitting in his usual chair with his food. “I run a high-class gentleman’s club. Natalie works for me entertaining the men.” The words come out carefully like he’s trying to gauge my reaction.

  “Gentleman’s club like with old fat men sitting around smoking cigars and chilling together in a sauna?”

  Giovanni laughs heartily, the sound making me smile. “Well, they range in age and body type, and while many do smoke cigars, there is no sauna. However, we do have a bar, several hot tubs, and an outdoor and indoor pool.”

  “So…she hangs out with them? Waitresses?” Why is he making me practically beg for answers?

  “Natalie, as well as several other women who work for me, hang out with the men, yes. But no, she’s not a waitress.”

  “Okay… so what do they do with them? I don’t get it.” Geez! It’s like pulling teeth with this guy. Then it hits me…Holy shit! A gentleman’s club. A sex club. No way!

  Giovanni rubs the stubble on his chin. He looks frustrated, so I try a different approach, needing to know if my suspicions are correct. “Are we at your house?”

  “I live here, yes.”

  “But is it your house?”

  “Usually we refer to it as the club.”

  “Okay, is the club where you live?”

  “Yes.”

  Now I’m desperate to know if I’m living in a damn sex club. Taking the tray that’s on my lap, I set it aside and pull back the blankets.

  “What are you doing?” He stands, looking perplexed.

  “You obviously aren’t going to answer me, so I’m going to go check this place out myself. I was stuck in a basement for almost a year. I’d like to know where I’m being forced to stay.” Slowly standing, I use the edge of the bed to help me.

  “Sit down, please, or I’m going to be forced to handcuff you again,” Giovanni says in a demanding tone, which only makes me want to leave that much more. I’ve spent the last year being held down. Nobody is ever going to tell me what to do again, if I have anything to say.

  “No, thank you.” I walk as fast as my broken body can go toward the door. Giovanni beats me there, putting his hand over the handle. My body tenses, suddenly feeling claustrophobic.

  “Move. Now.” My heart begins to beat faster.

  “Calm down.” Giovanni puts his hands out and palms up in a placating motion when he sees me starting to freak out. “If I have to lock you up in here, I will. You need to understand your place in this.”

  “My place?” I bite out.

  “For now, and until further notice, you’ll be staying here. You will go nowhere without one of my men or me.”

  “And if I run?” I challenge.

  “I will find you and bring you back here and you will regret it.” Giovanni’s voice is cold, detached. It reminds me of the night he showed up wanting to talk to Weston. “And if I don’t find you, which I will, Weston will be after you. Would you rather go back to the basement?” His brow quirks up in a challenging manner.

  Oh, hell no. “Don’t you dare threaten me with going back there!” I jab my finger into his chest to emphasize my point and he looks down at it in shock then back up at me.

  “Okay, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that,” he concedes.

  “Thank you. Don’t let it happen again.” He grants me a lopsided grin, but I remain serious. “Why don’t you want me knowing what you do for a living?” I come back around to my initial question, refusing to let him off the hook.

  “It’s not that I don’t want you knowing…” Giovanni runs his hands over his face in frustration. “I will explain it to you and then I’ll show you.”

  With my hands on my hips, I raise my eyebrows. “Okay, tell me. But move away from the door.”

  Giovanni moves out of the line of my exit. Smart move, buddy. “Rome is outside the door anyway.” He smirks. Fucker. “This type of gentleman’s club allows sex.” I knew it!

  “Like a whorehouse?”

  “I prefer the term bordello.”

  “What’s a bordello?”

  “I suppose in Italian it means whorehouse, but these women aren’t whores in the negative use of the term. They are escorts.”

  “Do they get paid to have sex?”

  “Yes, extremely well.”

  “So, they are high-class prostitutes?”

  “Escorts.”

  “Are they here by choice?”

  “Of course. Did Natalie look like she’s being held here against her will?”

  I blanch at his words. “No, I didn’t mean to insinuate you are forcing them into sex, but you are holding me here against my will.”

  Giovanni sighs. “Why don’t we sit down and eat lunch? We can talk, and afterward, I can give you a tour of the place.”

  “Okay.” Instead of sitting on the bed, I take my soup and sandwich to the sitting room to eat at the table. “I feel like I’ve been in that bed for months,” I say as way of explanation.

  Giovanni sits across from me with his food. After a few minutes of eating in silence, he starts talking. “Have you thought anymore about why Weston had you locked up?”

  I swallow a bite of my delicious turkey sandwich. “I’ve thought about it, but I have no idea. He just kept saying once I turned twenty- two he could get rid of me.”

  “When your mom died, did she leave you any money?” Where is he going with this?

  “She had a life insurance policy, but it was only a couple million. I had the money from it in my bank account, but one day I went to pay for groceries and was declined. I looked at my account and it showed every cent had been withdrawn. Before I could investigate it, I was taken from my dorm by a masked man who delivered me to Weston. He drugged me and put me down in the basement, where you found me nine months later. Are you thinking he took the money? And if so, why would he take me? The money was taken before I was.”

  Giovanni takes a large bite of his sandwich, then washes it down with a sip of his water. “Your mom’s husband is in a lot of financial trouble.”

  “Please don’t call him that.” The thought of that evil man being linked to my mom or me in any way, including marriage, makes my skin crawl. “I don’t know why he would take me, though. Like I said, if he’s the one who emptied my bank account, he already got every cent in my name. The house was put in his name before my mom died. I have nothing!”

  “There has to be something else. You said the magic number is twenty-two, right? When is your birthday, again?”

  “I turn twenty-one in April.”

  “All right. My men are looking into all this. If you think of anything else, you need to let me know. Your step—Weston has gone under the radar. He ran scared after I took you, but he’ll eventually come out of hiding. He made it clear when I spoke to him, he wants you back. I’m going to have my men search your house. Anywhere in particular he might keep important documents?”

  “There’s a safe in his office and another one in the master bedroom. I don’t know the combinations, though.”

  “Don’t worry about that. I’ll handle it. What were you doing when he took you? You said you were in your dorm?”

  “I was in my sophomore year of college, majoring in photography.” Thinking about my life before I was taken makes me smile. Then I think about everything I’ve lost. Everything Weston has taken from me, and I suddenly feel depressed.

  “I know you don’t understand why I have to keep you here, but the truth is, it’s for your own good, until we figure out what Weston wants from you. If he was willing to hold you cap
tive, I imagine he’s desperate. I can keep you safe here.”

  “I understand that, I do. But I’m sick of having my choices taken away from me. It should be my choice whether I stay here or leave.”

  “Aria, you need to come to terms with the fact that you’re staying here for the foreseeable future. The moment I told Weston I was taking you as payment, your fate was sealed.”

  “Life doesn’t work like that!” I start to get worked up. “Before I was taken, I had a boyfriend and a best friend. I really need to contact them and let them know I’m okay. And I’m broke. I need to find a job. I need to earn money, so I can go back to school. You can’t hold me here against my will!” I stand and get in Giovanni’s face.

  He gives me a soothing smile and takes my hand in his. “Breathe, Aria. We’ll take it one step at a time, okay? Finish up your lunch and then I’ll show you around.”

  I pull my hand out of his. How can he be so damn calm? He’s holding me prisoner here while acting like I’m a house guest on an extended vacation. I sit back down and for the rest of lunch, we eat in silence. Once we are done eating, Giovanni is true to his word. He starts with his living quarters. He shows me the living room, the library, and the kitchen. Then he takes me outside onto the balcony to show me the Jacuzzi.

  After he’s shown me the entire floor, we go down the stairs to the second floor. Giovanni tells me it’s split into two wings: the east and the west. Apparently, this place is so huge it needs to be labeled like a compass.

  He walks me through the west wing where he tells me his staff sleeps. Staff such as his chefs, bodyguards, and housekeepers. Apparently, even his bartenders have rooms here.

  “Emilio can make any drink you want,” he jokes then frowns. “Shit, you aren’t old enough to drink.”

  I roll my eyes. “You do realize I was in college, right? Drinking might as well be a college student’s major their first couple years.”

  His breath escapes him on a laugh, making him look a hundred times sexier than when he looks mad and worked up. Giovanni Valentino laughing should be illegal. My insides tingle and I feel my nipples poke through my tank top reminding me I need to ask him to buy me a bra. “I’ll have to take your word on that. I didn’t go to college, so I wouldn’t know. Just don’t get too drunk.” He attempts to give me a stern look that only makes me laugh.