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“No. I am showing you both sides of the picture.” He smiles.
“Your charity does not justify your violence-your brutality. Do you realize that?” I want to punch him but I control myself.
‘Necessary evils. Believe me.’ His tone is adamant. Believe him?
“After all of what I saw with my own eyes?”
“Then let me show you more.” He has a quizzical expression glued to his face.
“If you think a stroll in the vulnerable parts of this damn city will make me see things differently, Don Tommaso, you are gravely mistaken,” I say through clenched teeth.
“Would you be willing to make a bet?” He says in that dusky, deep voice of his. I feel the goose bumps on my skin. “What if I end up changing your mind?”
“Good luck with that. Because if you lose, you will let me publish my article, on the front page of the LA Times.” His eyes gleam-with both amusement and surprise. The bizarre level of self-assertiveness this man has, I have rarely seen. No wonder he is a Mafioso.
Chapter Fifteen
TOMMASO
The bizarre level of resolve this woman has, I have rarely seen. No wonder she is a journalist.
“Most people in your position would think twice before challenging someone like me.”
She rolls her eyes at me, for the nth time, this morning. “Most people, as in people on your payroll?”
“You think exposing me will change anything? Anything at all?” I smirk.
“It could be a good start, yes.” Tough nut.
“Why are you so gritty about it?” I look at her rucked eyebrows.
“Habit.” She gives a cynical smile. Admirable.
“Why go through the trouble, Miss Hart? Look where your habit brought you.” I try hard not to snort.
“How considerate of you, Don Tommaso. But consider this a heads-up. You should prepare to lose the bet.” She beams. Perfect white teeth, heart-shaped lips. Oh, she’s a sight.
“And if I win,” I look in her seductive blue eyes. “I get to take you on a proper date, Miss Hart.” Why is she frowning again? We just made a deal, fair and square. I look at her with a resilient smile.
“Fine,” she says with an expression that says, dream-on. It's intriguing to witness her resentment. She's a tough one. Even with that perpetual frown, she manages to look stunning. A stubborn beauty. I can feel her heat. It sears me. I want to be wrapped in it. Bathed in it. I want to make her scream and moan and call out my name. I want to punish her for that foul-mouth of hers and for over-reacting.
“How about we seal the bet with a kiss?” I end up saying.
“Your way of sweetening the strain?” She mocks. “Too bad, I won’t change my terms.” Fuck the terms. I want her lips on mine.
“C’mon. It’s a small price to pay for the chance to prove me wrong.” I press, still looking at her plump lips.
“Save your charms for someone else.” She gets back to the half-eaten bun on her plate. Her rebellion seduces me. I feel the urge to punish her in the same bed that I fucked her in. I want her to know that no one says no to me. No one.
“How did you find my office? Frank? Was it him? Did he tell you I work there?” She breaks the tempting silence in between us. I almost spill my coffee, trying to stifle my laugh.
“Do you think I'd need to talk to anyone to track you down? Let's just say, I have my ways. A man in my position doesn't rely on intermediaries for such matters. Plus you told me where you worked when we met.” I wink.
She huffs again, ignoring my last comment. “Don’t tell me stalking people to their workplaces is another one of your pastimes. Or is Frank on your payroll? Or wait, you own my workplace. The whole damn building.” She fakes a gasp. Smart, indeed.
“You don’t have that kind of power,” she scoffs, amused. But her smile fades and she regards me with skepticism. “Do you?”
I smile at her. “Possibly.” She gives me a repulsive stare and her lips set in a mulish pout. I glare back at her, wanting to drag her across my knee, but sadly that is not an option right now. So, I try for humor.
