It’s time for negotiations to start.
“Look.” I start slowly and sweetly, plastering a polite smile on my face. “I’m sure there is a better way to get the money. I have savings, how much is it? I can sort this out and we can call this early and go our separate ways.”
“You have a mill lying around?” A smirk plays on his lips as he drops another bomb.
Urgh, of course, it’s a million dollars. Fuck my life.
I sit straight, steel my spine, and look back at him. This time I give him a smile, which in the past has gotten me out of more than one tricky situation, and into the most exclusive parties.
“You know, I think it might be best to let me go and I don’t know, break his kneecaps or something. Isn’t that the norm?” I turn my body, giving him access to my hands behind my back, “Just unlock these cuffs and let me go. Then you can go show him who’s boss.”
With slow, deliberate movements, he comes closer to me. His eyes burn into me, with a seductive power that causes goose bumps to burst out and my breath to catch as his scent assaults me.
And it is an assault.
I can feel the warmth emanating from his body onto mine, and I feel a tingle deep in my core as I fight the urge to lean into him. My own body betraying me.
Frozen in place I watch his hand rise towards my face. His fingers are graceful, yet my breathing has turned shallow as he comes close, like he’s about to gently caress my cheek. But his hand drops suddenly to my shoulder and pushes, not hard enough to hurt but the momentum has me landing flat on my back on the soft bed.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he says looking down on me with a smug look on his face.
I blink, trying to comprehend what just happened, and not to mention, process the stupid disappointment my treacherous body recovers from. Then I sit back up, more pissed than ever, “You didn’t answer mine!”
A scoff escapes from his throat and his gaze drops to my cuffed hands. “In case you didn’t notice, you’re not running this show. But since you are of Moretti blood, and no doubt a bit slow on the uptake, I will fill you in.”
My eyes narrow to slits, and I wish they could shoot out laser beams.
“Your father isn’t big on keeping his word, and he is even worse at paying his debts. What can I say? I got tired of waiting.”
“Well, Mr. Big Shot, I hate to break it to you, but it seems you are the one a little slow on the uptake. I learnt all those things when I was in nappies. That’s why I’m here. Now, let me say it again, I vote you go for the kneecaps and let me go.”
“What’s wrong, princess? Daddy didn’t buy you the purse you wanted?”
“Yeah, that’s it exactly Einstein. I didn’t get my Hermes purse and skipped town.”
“Figures.” He shakes his head as if he has me all pegged out. “As much as the idea of seeing your dad in a permanent wheelchair speaks to me, I’m not trying to start a war.”
At least a war with my father would be short lived. If only he knew my dad was just a stone’s throw away from death, I’m sure he’d go for my kneecaps and torture idea. But no one knows about his health and really, I’m surprised he’s still kicking after all this time. And for an unfathomable reason, I still couldn’t bring myself to rat him out about that. It’s in my blood, bred into me from birth. Life of a mobster’s daughter. Family secrets are taken to the grave.
The mystery man turns and scoops his phone from the bed, dialing another number. This call is answered instantly. “Yeah, change of plans. Make sure the jet is fueled up and ready to go. We’re taking her back.”
2
Ren
“Yougotit,boss.”Dante ends the call not needing any further instructions.
Boss? I’m still getting used to the title. It’s the whole reason I’m here. To collect a debt my father was unable to do, before his heart attack that is. The night that rocked our world and thrust me into the head of the family, ready or not. By the grace of God, he survived, but the decision was made that I should take over the family business. As the youngest boss in the five syndicates running the Sydney underworld, all eyes are on me. If I pull this off, it will start my reign as one not to be fucked with.
I turn back to the unbelievably gorgeous woman, who somehow manages to come from that scum, Moretti. She doesn’t know me, and we’ve never met. But I know her. I’ve watched from a distance, but that distance didn’t do her justice. Even though I prefer her long black hair, she is perfection.
It’s almost impossible to tear my eyes away from her as she sits on the edge of the bed. Her large blue sultry eyes, full luscious lips, and her sun kissed skin on a body that’s made for sin.
But it’s more than that. Her smart mouth and complete disregard for my authority has me hard as a rock. Not sure what that says about me, but I hope the fucker goes down soon. This is work not play, even though visions of her in her sheer white dress that clings to her body like a second skin, will be something I think about many times when this is over.
What doesn’t sit right with me though, is what happened with her father. It’s supposed to be simple. You would think having an opportunity to cry out for help after being taken would be welcomed, but she didn’t take it, even more than that, she visibly repelled from it.
It doesn’t make sense, but it’s not my business. I’m here to collect the money and then I’m gone for good. It’s time to get the hell out of this hotel.