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ROMAN
When I step out of my room, Benito is only inches away from the bedroom door, and I nearly knock him on his ass. Today is the highlight of our plan for revenge, and I’m embarrassed that I’m late.
Emberly’s allure will be my downfall. She’s the embodiment of temptation.
“Where’s Cesare?” I ask.
“Interrogating the assassin,” he mutters.
We walk side by side down the hallway, passing a housemaid holding a stack of sheets.
“Which one?” I ask as we reach the grand staircase.
Benito gives me an incredulous look, as though the answer is obvious.
“Rosalind.” I roll my eyes and descend the steps. “Cesare needs to keep his dick out of that woman and focus more on the threats hanging over our heads.”
“Like you?”
My eyes narrow. “What does that mean?”
We reach the bottom of the stairs, where Gil leans against the front door with his eyes shut and his arms closed, as though he’s been standing there for hours.
Benito glances over his shoulder as though checking that Emberly is still out of earshot. “Our little guest has moved out of the pool house and into your bed.”
My hackles rise, but I keep my voice even and continue crossing the entrance hall. “Can you blame her after nearly getting abducted under my roof by that cop?”
“That’s not my point,” he says.
“Then what is?”
“You’re getting attached.” He lowers his voice. “Giving her the illusion of freedom is one thing. Installing her in the master suite is another.”
My feet stop. “How the fuck do you expect someone as cautious as her to sign over hundreds of millions worth of assets without passing each contract through an attorney?”
I don’t wait for him to answer. “You use a woman’s biggest weakness. Her need to trust the man she’s fucking.”
Benito stares back at me for several heartbeats, looking like he can see through the bullshit. The truth is, I’m catching feelings. Feelings are too inconvenient to complete my mission. I want her in my life, but I also want back what her father stole.
“Are you sure that’s all it is?” he murmurs.
My brows rise. “What does that mean?”
Benito holds up his palms in surrender. “Never forget she’s a Capello.”
As if I could.
It’s bad enough that Emberly has burrowed her way under my skin. Even worse, she’s seeped into my bloodstream and is making her way into my heart. If I don’t take control of myself, my need for her will extinguish my burning desire for revenge.
Gil opens the front door, and we step out onto the sun-drenched steps. Late mornings are another sign of Emberly’s influence. By this time of the day, I should have already completed my morning run, read through the papers, and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast.
Emberly is making me weak.
Benito’s gaze burns the side of my face. I turn to give his shoulder a hard squeeze. “I’ve thought of nothing for the past five years. No pussy could distract me from getting back what belongs to our family.”
He nods, not seeming entirely convinced and looking like he isn’t buying my explanation that fucking Emberly is just another way to stop her from scrutinizing the contracts. We step into another armored car and make our way to take back control of the casino and its attached hotels.
* * *
