Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
I halted on the spot as my father continued forward. Everything seemed to stop—time, my heartbeat, everything.
“Axel.” My father extended his hand to shake his. “Wonderful to have you for dinner.”
Axel was slightly taller than my father, who was already tall, and I’d inherited that height myself. But he was far more muscular, his arms stretching the fabric of his sleeves with the bulkiness. He had a strong posture, and his hard gaze softened once he greeted my father. His crystal-blue eyes were confident. A handsome smile moved over his face as he shook my father’s hand. “Thank you for the invitation.” The baritone of his voice was so distinctive, like an echo at the bottom of a well.
I was supposed to emulate my father’s confidence, but it left me as I stared at this man. Handsome men came and went, but Axel was in a different stratosphere. He looked like he belonged in Milan, modeling clothes and underwear for the major brands in the big window shops. He was too beautiful for a life of crime.
Axel’s eyes shifted to me, and that smile melted away instantly. His stare was hard and focused, as if he knew me from somewhere but couldn’t place me. He was one of those people who didn’t shy away from eye contact, and even though it was probably obvious how uncomfortable I was, he maintained the stare.
My father looked at me, expecting me to move forward.
I swallowed and feigned confidence I didn’t feel. “Nice to meet you, Axel.” I extended my hand to take his. “I’m Scarlett.”
He took mine and squeezed with his big fingers, the cords popping up his forearms as he gripped me. After a shake, he released me. “Beautiful name.” Even though my father stood right there, Axel’s eyes were stuck on mine like glue.
I had to break the eye contact and step away. Heat flushed through my body, and then I started to sweat despite the evening chill that now pressed against the window.
My father pulled out my chair for me so I could sit beside him.
I dropped into the chair and placed the linen across my lap, needing to do something to distract myself from the gorgeous man who moved to the other side of the table. He took the seat across from my father so he wasn’t directly across from me, but I wasn’t spared from his intense stare.
The butler served the wine and placed a basket of fresh bread on the table. Neither man reached for it, and they immediately launched into business.
It was clear Axel wasn’t refined the way my father was. His posture was more relaxed, giving off I-don’t-give-a-fuck vibes. He didn’t touch the wine either, like he preferred something stronger.
“May I ask how you pulled off these relationships?” My father swirled his wine and took a drink.
“Through generations,” Axel said. “My family was well-connected to the Medici family, and we’ve remained connected to everyone who matters ever since. Snooty aristocracy is heavy in my blood.”
“Then why are you in this game?”
Axel sat with one elbow on the table, his fingers scratching his jawline as he considered what to say. “It’s a long story…but my family cut me off a long time ago. I forged a new path, and I chose a career that would piss them off the most.” He grinned. “It’s been fun.”
Definite I-don’t-give-a-fuck vibes.
“My family classifies me as the black sheep, but they refuse to admit how corrupt everyone and everything is. It’s my job to show them.”
My father gave a nod before he delved into the nitty-gritty of their business relationship, all the specifics of production and shipping. Dinner was served, starting with a salad, moving on to a soup, and then the main course, which was a steak with greens and potatoes. They got into the thick of it, going back and forth as they constructed the terms and conditions of this operation.
My eyes were down most of the time, but I listened to every word. Whenever I lifted my gaze to look at the man across the table, I felt the heat flush through me again. Whenever that happened, his gaze shifted to me…like he knew.
My eyes darted away as quickly as possible, trying to hide my stare.
The wine was exchanged for scotch, and then the cigars emerged. I excused myself from both vices and stuck to my wine and the cheese board that was brought out for dessert, which both men ignored.
One of my father’s men entered the room then spoke quietly into his ear.
My father set the cigar in his dish before he rose to his feet. “Excuse me.” Before he left the table, he pushed in the chair, and he rounded the corner with the man who had retrieved him.
Now it was just the two of us…and I’d never been so uncomfortable. I wasn’t shy or timid in any regard and I could hold my own in any conversation, but the second this man walked into the room, I turned into mush.