Trapped (Sinners of Boston #5)

19. Delilah

NINETEEN

DELILAH

Santino hauled our luggage up the steps of a private jet. I followed, gripping the railing as we disappeared from the humid, damp tarmac and entered a luxury airplane.

The flight attendant smiled. “Welcome, Ms. Romanov. What would you like to drink?”

A vodka on the rocks with lime, please.

I caught Santino’s eye and cleared my throat. “A Coke. Thanks.”

Santino grabbed a window seat and buckled himself in. “I’ll have the same.” The flight attendant whisked away as I slid into the seat beside him, still fuming. The plush leather seemed to mock me, a reminder of the luxurious trap I’d stepped into.

“You still haven’t told me where we’re going.”

“Where’s your sense of adventure?” he quipped.

“I’ve had enough of that, thanks. Are you planning on giving me a hint, or do I have to guess?”

He leaned in his seat, looking annoyingly relaxed. “You’ll find out soon. Sit back and enjoy the ride.”

The flight attendant returned with our drinks, and I sipped my Coke. “At least tell me why we had to leave in such a hurry.”

His expression darkened. “Things are heating up, and I don’t want you getting caught in the crossfire.”

The plane taxied down the runway.

My throat tightened. “What happened?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Santino, you can’t keep me in the dark forever.”

“Neither can you,” he said coolly, sipping his drink. “Confronting Dimitri at the gala was dangerous. You could’ve gotten yourself killed because you’re too proud to ask me for help.”

“I’m used to handling things on my own. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.”

He raised a brow. “You’re a Pakhan’s daughter.”

“You think that meant I had everything I ever wanted? I had nothing. Dad was too busy with his job, and my stepmom was checked out.” I looked out the window, watching the clouds roll by. “I started drinking when I was twelve. There was always vodka lying around. My father’s men would bring in cases of expensive liquor, and nobody noticed when a few bottles went missing. I’d drink to numb the loneliness. No one ever stopped me.

“By fourteen, I was sneaking out to parties, doing whatever I could to feel something. Boys liked the idea of being with the Pakhan’s daughter, but none of them saw me. I was just a conquest. I’d come home drunk, and Dad wouldn’t even notice. Or maybe he did, and he didn’t care. I was invisible.”

The flight attendant came by to check on us, but Santino waved her off.

I swallowed hard, the pain of those years still fresh. “I tried to find solace in school, but even there, I was an outsider. The other kids knew who I was. They either wanted to befriend me for protection or avoid me out of fear. I was always alone.”

His thumb traced circles on my hand. “What changed?”

I sighed. “When I turned sixteen, I realized I couldn’t keep going like that. I had to do something to get out. So I started saving money, hiding it away, but the drinking didn’t stop. It got worse. It was the only way I coped. Things were really bad when I turned eighteen. I was out of control. My father finally noticed, but not because he was concerned about me. No, he was worried about his reputation.”

Santino listened intently, his eyes never leaving mine. I continued, my voice trembling. “When I was twenty, I went to a party. I don’t remember what happened, but I caused a scene. The police were called, and it made the local news. Dad was furious. Not because I was hurting myself but because I embarrassed him. A Pakhan’s daughter was making headlines for all the wrong reasons.”

I paused, the pain still fresh. “He forced me into rehab. Said it was to heal me, but it was to save face. He needed me out of sight until the scandal blew over. I spent months in that place,more alone than ever.

“When they released me, I did everything I could to stay clean. I was pretty good for a few years. And then my father arranged for me to marry Dimitri. ‘A strategic alliance to strengthen ties between the families.’ I barely knew Dimitri, but I accepted it. I needed to prove I could be a good daughter.”

Santino’s eyes darkened. “What did he do to you?”

I looked away. “He was controlling. He wanted to mold me into his idea of the perfect wife. I felt trapped. I began drinking again. I hid it at first, but it became harder to keep it a secret. I got so drunk I passed out at a family dinner. Dimitri was livid. He dragged me out in front of everyone, calling me every name you can think of, and sent me back to rehab, but it didn’t work. I was too far gone by then. I knew I couldn’t marry Dimitri. That’s when I made a plan to visit you.”

A muscle twitched in Santino’s jaw. “You should have told me all this sooner.”

“It’s not like we talk when we’re together.”

“We’ll fix that.”

“And if I tell you everything, you’ll still want me?”

He smirked. “I guess you could say I have a type. Girls who need saving and then try to hustle me out of eighty-five grand.”

“Well, you’re doing a terrible job if you let me rob you blind.”

Santino’s smile faded. “Delilah, I’m not some fool you can manipulate.”

“I know you’re not,” I whispered, swallowing hard. “I’ve never seen you like that.”

“What do you see in me?”

Raw, male beauty. Fierce loyalty. Strength. Unexpected kindness. Like how he’d adjust the blankets around me and kiss my forehead.

“Someone who’s strong. You’re loyal to the people you care about, even when it costs you. You… you look out for your family…for me. You’ve shown me kindness in ways I wasn’t expecting. You’re not the monster I thought you were when we first met, and that scares me.”

I see a man I’m falling for .

The way he looked at me made it hard to breathe. It was as if he’d heard that thought, loud and clear.

He clasped my face in his hands. Then he kissed me, his lips crushing mine. I softened like butter, pouring all my longing into the kiss. He gripped my waist, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss until I was breathless. The smooth glide of his tongue made warmth bloom on my chest. I melted into the seat.

We broke apart. He leaned over, pulling a blanket from the side compartment and draping it across our laps. Then he tugged me over until I leaned against him.

Slowly, I allowed myself to relax into his embrace. As the cabin lights dimmed, Santino reached for the remote and picked a film. A romantic comedy played on the small screen. With his arm around me, holding me close, I started to feel things. Warmth. I teased my fingers across his thigh, and he inhaled a tight breath.

I nipped at his earlobe.

His body tensed. Then he caught my hand and brought it to his lips.

“I just want this. You, me, and a movie.”

I blinked at him. “Really?”

He shrugged. “It’s nice to be with you.”

Santino’s hand found mine under the blanket and threaded our fingers together. I closed my eyes, savoring the sensation.

The movie ended too soon. As the credits rolled, Santino stretched and gave me a mischievous smile.

“Not bad.”

“I never thought I’d see the day when Santino Costa would snuggle under a blanket, watching a romcom with me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. I’ve always had a soft spot for happy endings, but I like the ones we make more.”

“Believe me, I know.” I leaned in closer, our noses nearly touching. “I guess I can stick around for a few more.”

His full mouth molded to mine like silk. A slow burn spread all over my body. I pressed my lips against his, my nerves buzzing with need. It felt so right. My heart exploded with yearning. I couldn’t stop myself from wanting this.

He groaned, pulling away from me. There was a moment where he looked like he’d kiss me again, but he steeled himself and faced the screen. A dark flush claimed his cheeks.

Maybe I could trust him. With him, things could be different. I wouldn’t end up broken. I dropped my head against his shoulder, his breathing lulling me to sleep, and I didn’t want to be anywhere else.