Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83776 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83776 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“This is Davide Bianco. He’s an important member of the largest crime syndicate in the Midwest. And you’re going to marry him.”
I step away from the desk. I want to scream, because this is worse than having a conversation about what I did in that bathroom. A thousand emotions assault me all at once: fear, anger, hatred, and I don’t know what to do with them all.
I turn my back on my brother. He’s still talking, but I can’t hear him over the slamming whoosh of blood rushing through my ears. I walk on numb, stiff legs to the door and yank it open, and my brother’s calling for me to come back. He’s standing behind the desk and probably wants to kill me right now, but I walk out of there and I keep on walking, because there’s no way I can marry that man, there’s no way in hell.
Chapter 5
Davide
The pulse of the club pounds against my head. The crowds feel like the bars of a cage, and I flex my left hand against the dull tingling pain that shoots up to my elbow, trying to work the nerves out, but nothing ever really calms it down. Right now, I don’t mind the distraction. I’ve been obsessing about the girl that spilled her drink in my lap for the better part of two days and I’m only back at this hellhole dealing with the close-packed crowds because I’m hoping I’ll run into her again.
Stefania Rossi. I knew there was a chance I might bump into her here since her brother Carlo owns the place, but I had no idea I’d get such a spectacular first impression. I lean back in my seat at the VIP lounge area up on the balcony overlooking the dance floor and close my eyes, a smile on my lips, thinking about the way she asked me to clean her off with an incredible mix of confidence and nerves, like she wanted me badly enough to overcome her natural aversion to fucking strange men in club bathrooms.
I hadn’t planned on going that far with her, but once those words spilled out of her mouth, how the hell was I supposed to control myself?
The music’s too loud and the crowd makes me uncomfortable. I keep looking for the exits and picturing the chaotic stampede that would break out if there were a fire or an active shooter or some shit like that. I want to hold onto the good thoughts, picturing my mouth between my future wife’s legs, except this always happens to me in enclosed spaces. My mind starts to drift back to the darkness and the tingling discomfort in my scarred arm intensifies until I either drink myself into a fucking stupor or I get out of whatever situation is triggering my bad reaction. But I’m putting myself through this, like I put myself through it the other night, on the off chance that I get to see her again before everything is made official.
My men Bruno and Emilio are busy flirting with the waitress and they don’t notice when Carlo Rossi appears at the VIP rope. He slips past his bouncers and approaches, and my useless bodyguards only spot him when he’s already sitting down in the chair beside mine and shaking my hand. They move to come over but I give them a sharp nod—and at least they have the good sense to look ashamed. Worthless fucks.
“I’m glad you’re here again,” Carlo says over the music. He grins at me, a little too charming and a little too loud for my tastes, but I’ve been told that he’s the Rossi Famiglia’s best wartime crew leader. It’s hard to imagine him riding into battle, but I’ve heard the rumors, and if they’re even half correct, he’s a formidable man. I respect him for that.
“I couldn’t stay away. My men enjoy your hospitality too much.” I speak loudly so I can be overheard while I give them a sharp look. The waitress scampers away, her face turning pink at my insinuation. “And Gian told me that Don Renzo spoke with your sister today about our arrangement.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Carlo glances over toward the stairs that lead down to the main club. “Renzo told her about the situation and she was a little surprised. Actually, she’s here right now and wants to come talk to you, but I told her she’d better stay away and cool off for a few days first.”
My eyebrows raise. “Send her up if she wants to speak with me.”
“I don’t know.” Caro shifts uncomfortably in his chair. “Look, Davide, can I be straight with you? Stef’s kind of pissed and she’s not in a great state of mind right now. I’m pretty sure she’s going to say something stupid. Maybe it’s better if you, you know—”