“He made me look like anidiota,” mypapigrowled, shaking his head. “Those photographs will be plastered all over the internet with that donation. And now he knows exactly who you are. He probably already did.”
“I don’t understand. Who are you talking about?”
Mypapireached for my hand and squeezed it. “Santino Buccini. He’s a very dangerous man, Arianna. He’s amafioso. The very man I’m trying to protect you from.”
Holy shit.
Already Mine
Ishoved out of the lift and into my penthouse, restless on my feet as I waited for my security system to scan my face. Adrenaline, frustration, and disbelief surged like poison through my veins, making me increasingly agitated. I stormed down the corridor towards my living area, tearing my shirt off my arms and tossing it on the sofa.
Arianna Caruso. The Mayor’s fucking daughter?
“Signor Buccini, I wouldn’t have thought this was your scene?” Piero sneered when he cornered me at the bar. “You won’t find your confiscated illegal shipment in a respectable establishment like this.”
“Mayor Caruso,” I smirked, turning my back slightly to the stage. “We’ve crossed paths enough for you to know that I never miss a good party. Especially one for such an important cause.” I clinked my glass against his. “You never know when you, or someone you love, might be in need of medical assistance, no?”
His eyes turned to slits as his posture tensed. “Are you threatening me?”
My smile widened as I relaxed against the bar. “Of course not. Threats are warnings, and I don’t bother with those. I prefer arrangements. Or action. I wanted to congratulate you on your success yesterday. You must be feeling… untouchable.”
The veins in his forehead pulsed as he leaned in closer. “It’s only a matter of time, Buccini. Your family are leeches. You bleed this country dry, and you think you’re unstoppable, but the day will come when everyone will see you for what you are.”
“And what’s that?” I grinned, taking a sip of my brandy, enjoying this exchange thoroughly.
“Murderers. Thugs. Criminals. Fraudsters.” He spat every word under his breath like venom.
“You’ve quite a wild imagination, Caruso. You should be careful throwing accusations like that around with no proof to back them up. Not everyone is as forgiving as I am. The last I heard, convictions need proof, and proof needs…people who remember names.” I smirked, cocking my head. “How are the police interrogations going?”
“Leave. You’re not welcome here.”
“I have an invitation, and I think I’ll be very welcome here in a few minutes. Just like you, I want what’s best for this city. I believe we both know that we can reach a mutual agreement that benefits us both. So why don’t we put our differences aside for the evening and enjoy the beautiful view?” I nodded towards the stage, my gaze drifting to Aria standing at the edge, looking adorable as hell, bouncing nervously on the balls of her feet.
“She has nothing to do with this,” he hissed under his breath with pure rage. “Stay away from her.”
At that exact moment, Signora Valtibino introduced Arianna Caruso to the stage, and my little rebel stepped forward. My whole body froze as everything clicked into place. Arianna Caruso, the Mayor’s daughter. My chest tightened the way it does when a plan is about to fall apart because of an unexpected variable.
“I mean it, Buccini,” Piero growled. “Stay the hell away from my daughter, or I’ll make sure you regret it.”
I tore my gaze away from Aria to look at the man next to me, noticing the slight resemblance now that I knew.
Forcing a slow, calculated smile onto my face to hide my surprise, I replied, “Now that sounded like a threat, Mayor.” I leaned in closer. “Depends who’s doing the regretting. I think it might be you, because what happens when she can’t stay away from me?”
His nostrils flared, fists clenched at his sides. I had found his weakness, and he knew it. But he didn’t realise that we had that in common. When Arianna read out my donation, the entire room’s attention shifted to us, and it couldn’t have been more perfect timing.
“To mutual interests,” I husked, extending my hand to him as the camera lights flashed in our faces, feeding the story into the world; Caruso and Buccini, partners in philanthropy. He was backed into a corner, his reputation as a supportive and grateful leader hanging in the balance as he glared at my offering. He finally shook my hand, leaving us both knowing it guaranteed nothing but implied everything. He stormed away with his jaw set, and I watched his security team sweep Aria off the stage.
Pacing back and forth in front of my living room windows that looked out over the city, a mosaic of rooftops and dimmed lights, I dragged my hands down my face and let out a strangled groan that turned into a manic laugh.
Of fucking course the universe would scribble my name next to hers and light the whole page on fire. Hilarious. She couldn’t have been anyone else, could she? She had to be the daughter of the most uptight man in Rome, who was dead set on destroying my empire. I wanted to snap something–a chair, a neck, my sanity–but what I wanted more was for Arianna Caruso to be mine.
I laughed, dropping onto the sofa and throwing my head back to stare at the ceiling. Her lipstick was still smeared all over my stomach like the claim I’d put there. That was the problem. I was already hers in every way that would ruin us both. Would knowing who her father was stop me from going after what I wanted? Hell no. Was it inconvenient? Absolutely. It’s going to be awkward to buy flowers for someone whose father wants you buried with them.
My phone vibrated against my leg, and I pulled it out of my pocket, already knowing who it was. My brother was waiting for an update on how tonight went, but I let it ring, giving myself a few extra minutes to decide what to tell him. The whole truth or just part of it?
Opening my private chat with Raya, the person I trusted most in the world, I hit send.
I have a problem.
