Page 57 of Knot To Be
Chapter Thirteen
CIRO
I can’t wipe awaythe smile from my lips as I touch the shock collar around my throat. I meant it when I told Verona that I’d give her the remote, and she’s now in the next aisle looking for sheets.
The only person who noticed the collar was Pablo when I kissed him before I left. My black button down is open, and it appears as if I’m wearing a choker. While it doesn’t completely work with my more casual look with my black pants and loafers, I don’t give a fuck what people think of me.
I only gave Nico shit for his outfit choice the other day because I live to stir the pot. I’ll gladly continue to wear the shock collar for Verona if it keeps the peace between us and maybe helps her feel as if she’s in control of something.
The nesting store Verona and I are currently at is huge. There’s all kinds of things here, and some of the knotted toys make me grin, while Verona turned bright red. That’s adorable.
Being a single alpha male, sex toys and I have become intimately familiar with each other.
We started the morning with Rosalia’s favorite pastry, much to her surprise. Dario easily pivoted and went out to the bakery that makes them the way she likes them, and Verona told Rosalia that her father didn’t deserve to ruin the important things.
So we are having a do-over day. This is also helping Dario’s need to fix things through motion and acts of service. He needs to be a part of some of it while he goes through his day to settle his fear of missing out. I haven’t told anyone about my late night, rain soaked conversation with Verona, and I don’t think I will.
She’s so desperate to feel like she’s capable of being what Rosalia needs, I’m considering broaching the topic of self defense. Maybe it’s something I can do with both her and Pablo to get them to spend time together.
Grappling with each other by getting sweaty on the ground could lead to some seriously hot moments, right?
While Dario fixes things, I enjoy throwing gasoline on the fire to see how pretty the flames look.
I find myself straining to hear Verona as her sandals walk along the floor, wanting to give her a little space to think. I keep noticing that Verona is choosing miniature sized items, and I suspect that Rosalia is serious about wanting a small, contained area for her nest.
Ruminating on that, I wonder if her nest in our home in Michigan will have to be a hidden area so that she can feel safe. I had a moment early this morning to talk to Nico, and he mentioned that he noticed Rosalia and Verona are careful to lock the bathroom and bedroom doors. Rosalia lost the “privilege” of privacy, and the burrow of a nest may revolve around having space she can control and protect against intruders.
Presented to me like this, it makes more sense.
I’m about to pull out my phone to add another item to Dario’s to-do list when a shock hits me through the collar. I put it onthe second strongest setting when I was checking how intense they were, and my vision darkens as I collapse onto the floor. Gritting my teeth, I drag myself to the end of the aisle, managing to stumble to my feet before turning the corner.
Something is seriously wrong.There’s no reason for Verona to shock me unless she needed help. Her finger must be mashed against the fucking button, because continuous shocks pulse through my body as I fight to keep moving.
“Verona!” I yell, seeing that she’s being dragged away by an angry woman.
Glancing over her shoulder, I see relief shining in her eyes, along with tears, and only one of them pisses me off. Her finger slides off the remote, and I take a deep breath as I walk closer to the altercation happening.
“Verona, stop making a scene, or I’ll have to get the police involved,” the woman with cruel eyes says. Verona is silently pulling away from her, shaking in fear. “Your stepfather is looking for you everywhere! He said you ran away after the wedding. Be obedient and heel!”
“Signora,” I growl, catching up to them. Verona doesn’t seem as if she can speak, though she continues to struggle against the older female alpha’s grip. “I believe there’s been a misunderstanding.”
“Stay out of this,” the old woman snaps. “This is a family matter.”
Well, that’s not going to be possible.
“You see, I am going to need you to send back a message to Don Accetta,” I croon, my fingers pulling back one of the bony fingers digging into Verona’s skin. “Verona, I need you to take a breath before you pass out, okay? Now, where was I? Oh right.”
A quick, strong twist snaps the finger I’m holding like dry kindling, while I keep an amiable smile on my face. We’re in asection of the store that’s currently empty, but that could change at any time.
“How did you find Verona?” I ask, keeping the old woman from fleeing. Pain fills her eyes, but I have no compassion for bullies and assholes.
“This is Rosa’s aunt,” Verona rasps. “She is very influential in the community.”
“So she’s a gossip with lots of eyes in this city. Got it.”
I snap another finger for shits and giggles, my eyes narrowing in disapproval and anger.
“Here is where the misunderstanding occurs,” I drawl, adopting a southern accent I don’t have and never will. “You are attempting to kidnap a member of the Domino pack, which could be considered an act of war. Verona is now part of my family, for better or for worse through Rosalia’s wedding to my eldest brother, Nico. Do you want to be responsible for turmoil in such a tender and new merge of families? If you do, I can start with snapping your neck and ending your miserable life to really get that party started.”
