“We have those kinds of faces I guess,” Cash replied, and Zane saw Cash glance at Chiara. She was staring right at Cash. Marvin gave her hip a squeeze. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to grab you really quick to see if you’re available for a date on Sunday? I thought we could go to the theatre and then a quiet dinner at my place.” He reached up to place a strand of her hair behind her ear. Did she just shudder from that asshole’s touch?
“We’ll leave you two alone,” Cash said then looked at Zane, but Zane still stared at Chiara and waited for her response. Why he felt as if he were on pins and needles waiting for her acceptance or denial, he wasn’t certain, but as Cash began to walk away and so did he, he heard her response.
“I have plans on Sunday. Perhaps another time.”
“Plans with whom? Not Emanuel?” Marvin asked her with an attitude and what sounded like disgust toward the guy.
“Marvin, it’s none of your business. I’m busy.”
Cash gave Zane’s arm a tug as they continued walking away.
“That sounded interesting,” Zane whispered.
“I don’t think she likes the president of her father’s company,” Cash replied.
“I don’t like him either, and we just met the little prick.”
Cash chuckled. “You were getting awfully friendly with Chiara.”
“Hey, bro, I’ve got to learn the players in this game.”
“Zane, it’s not a game. This is different.”
“You know I handle everything better when I look at it as a game. I’m competitive, I have to win, and sometimes I even wind up with an additional bonus prize.” He looked back over his shoulder toward Chiara.
Cash looked back, too. “Hey, she’s off-limits.”
“Why?”
“She’s Costiano’s daughter, that’s why. You can go find some easy chick to hook up with if you’re in need.”
“Fuck you, man. I don’t sleep around. Too many psycho women out there.”
“Whatev
er. Just stay clear of Chiara.”
Zane was a bit taken aback by Cash’s attitude but he understood why. Zane smiled to himself. This could be the best business deal to happen to them. They were both attracted to Chiara, but was she attracted to them? Could she be the woman they talked about finding and sharing? Now wouldn’t that be the icing on this cake?
Zane was still smiling when he and Cash entered the main room and spotted Robert Costiano. He caught their eyes and he didn’t look pleased. He waved them over.
“What’s going on?” Cash asked him before Zane could.
“I’ve got a problem I need to talk to you about. I think I want this deal to happen sooner than later. I want to be sure that my daughter doesn’t find out about this. You must promise me.”
Cash and Zane were a bit surprised, but as they followed Costiano into his office, Zane couldn’t help the uneasy feeling again in his gut.
* * * *
Chiara tried not to be rude as she listened to Marvin talk. She was too busy watching Cash and Zane follow her father back into his study. There was a damn party going on. What could they possibly be talking about? She had a funny feeling in her gut. What had started out earlier in her father’s office as concern and a bit of anger, now turned to interest. She was definitely interested in finding out more about those two men. It wasn’t just their strikingly handsome features, nor their great bodies accentuated by the custom tuxedoes they wore. It was more than that. There was an air about them. Not quite arrogance, definitely money, but hard, almost dominant charisma. It made her think of being cared for, feeling safe, and also as Heather had said, sandwiched between the two of them.
The question was, were they interested in her? She wasn’t one to chase men. Didn’t have to. But of course that meant she didn’t trust them. Perhaps they weren’t attracted to her physically at all, the way she was attracted to them. They could have been playing it off as such. But why? It wasn’t like she could persuade her father of much of anything. She was just a manager. Marvin was the president.
“Are you listening to anything that I’m saying, Chiara? I want to move this relationship between us along. Why bother with all the nonsense. Just go out with me tomorrow. We’ll have a nice dinner at my place, then see where it leads.” Marvin trailed a thin, slimy finger along her bare shoulder. He gave her the creeps. She turned her head to look up at him. She couldn’t help but compare him to the other men. But there was no comparison. Marvin was a two, Cash and Zane, ten pluses.
“There you are. Come with me. I have to show you this,” Heather stated, grabbing Chiara by her hand and pulling her from Marvin’s presence.
“Sorry, Mr. McShay, but I need Chiara. It’s absolutely urgent,” Heather stated to Marvin, and Chiara was so thankful.