Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
I stare at him. “What’s this?”
“Our history.”
I have to clear my throat before I can get a word out. “Our what?”
“You’ll find a document on the home screen with everything about us—how we met, where we had our first date, the type of flowers I gave you, and the first time I kissed you.” He bends down, letting his breath fan over my face. “When you introduced me to Lewis and the dinner I cooked for you afterward. When I asked you to move in with me. The first time I fucked you.”
I suck in a breath.
“I suggest you familiarize yourself with the facts,” he continues. “Make sure you memorize every little detail, because when I get home tonight, you better be able to recite our love story as if it’s the most wonderful thing that’s happened in your life.” Sweeping in, he presses a kiss on my forehead. “Make yourself at home.”
Leaving me with that, he grabs his jacket and walks from the room.
CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
Saverio
The nightclub is on the top three floors of the skyscraper hotel that Luigi owns. Dante is already there when I walk from the elevator. He sits at the bar, chatting to a waitress. Or I should say he’s chatting her up. From the smile on her face, he’s succeeding. He’s a natural charmer with the looks to smooth his way. Women swoon over his golden hair and smoldering dark eyes—their words. He’s a smooth talker, but he’s loyal to boot. If I were to have a second-in-command, it would’ve been him.
He looks up when he notices me and flashes me a toothy grin. The waitress steals a glance in my direction, and then her radiant smile slips.
Yeah.
I have a reputation, and it’s not a good one.
Dante wraps his fingers around her wrist and pulls her down to whisper in her ear. She straightens, nods, and then she’s off.
I slide onto the bar stool next to him. “Fucking the staff is off limits. You better not let Luigi catch you with one of the waitresses.”
He turns sideways on his seat and props a fist on his hip, flicking his jacket aside. “I categorically state that I’m innocent. I was just catching up on what went down last night.” His smile is playful, but the look in his eyes is deadly. Despite his easy-going attitude, there’s a permanent undercurrent of danger to him. “Raphael was here. Came with a party of his friends. Apparently, they dished out money as if it was going out of fashion, tipping the waitresses with hundred-dollar bills.”
My smile is flat. “I’m aware.”
There’s not much that happens here or anywhere in the city I don’t know. Being well informed is a vital part of survival.
“Did Luigi invite him?” he asks.
“No.”
“He’s not married to Elena yet, and he’s already throwing his weight around as if he owns the place.”
I don’t reply. I have my reservations about Raphael. He’s a sly, greedy motherfucker. Roughly my age, he’s been running their business alongside his father since he learned to walk and talk. Michele Morelli raised his son to be a tough underboss and a cruel son of a bitch. They’ve been gaining territory in the city by exterminating the smaller organizations like a swarm of locusts guzzling everything in their way. They have no honor and no respect, not even for their own kind.
Tying the two families in blood is a mistake. Luigi knows my objections. Yet he believes the alliance will be beneficial in lining our pockets and keeping the peace. If we’re not careful, this deal is going to come back and bite us in the ass.
Dante studies me with a perceptive gaze. He’s quick to read me. He knows me well. “Want me to keep an eye on him?”
“Yeah.” However, I’m not here to talk about Raphael. “What did you find out about the justice?”
“On paper, he’s clean.”
“No one owns him?”
“Not as far as I can see. I did a little digging, but his reputation with regard to bribes is lily white.” The corner of his mouth lifts. “Not so much where women are concerned. That one is a player. He’s got a long list of mistresses under his belt.” His smile stretches into a humorless grin. “Excuse the pun.”
“Anything else?”
“Nothing out of the ordinary.”
I stand. “Keep tabs on him.”
He squints at me. “What am I looking for? Something to use against him?”
“Anything,” I say in a clipped voice. “If he farts, I want to know where and when.”
“Got it.” Dante follows my lead, pushing to his feet. “Why the sudden interest in the justice? Is he someone we need to worry about?”
“Not yet.” I straighten my jacket. “But he may become a problem.”
He narrows his eyes, scrutinizing me through the slits. “Why do I get the feeling your business with him is personal?”