“Excuse me?”
“It’s just that I’ve never had anyone I have had on my payroll speak to me like you have. Much less someone who was in such desperate need of standing exactly where you are, right now.”
“You approached me, remember? I never even knew you existed until your sketchy envelope showed up on my doorstep. I’m not the desperate one here.”
“If it was so sketchy, why did you pursue the next steps?” I challenge her.
“You seem like a smart man. I’m sure if you found out my address, then you probably already did your research and know who my parents were. Riccis are well-known in this city, and sketchy doesn’t scare me so much as intrigues me.”
“So, I intrigue you, huh?”
“You confuse me, but like I said, I am here to work, and for whatever reason, you are the only person who wants me so desperately to work for them.”
“Well, since I am so desperate for you to be near me, why don’t I give you a proper tour?”
“I didn’t mean for it to come out like that,” she fumbles her words a bit, as if she realizes how intense she is being.
“It’s ok, how about you make up for it by wearing that pretty dress Elaine so graciously picked out for you, and join me for dinner tonight? Strictly to discuss business, of course.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, regret hits me. Maybe I came on too strong?Shit.
I know what I want, it’s her. It’s always been her, but now, I fear that I have let this persona of the scorned man in charge cloud my ability to talk to her. To find the words to convince her to stay where she belongs.
Scrambling to think of something to say to lessen the intensity of my words, I am about to open my mouth to say something, anything, but then, I look at her. There is an intoxicating grin on her face.
And to my surprise, she licks her full lips before she speaks. “Sure, what time?”
Chapter20
Sienna
This man is absolutely infuriating. I have never wanted to strangle someone as badly as I want to wrap my fingers around his sturdy neck right now. Sure, he looks strong, no doubt he would put up a pretty good fight, but muscle mass has nothing on a woman who has walked through fire. And I, Sienna Ricci, have walked through an inferno. The wounds I carry have made me an unstoppable force. I’m stronger than he, or anyone else, gives me credit for.
The only reason I accepted his dinner invitation was so I could get a better idea what his true motives are. If playing along with his antics will provide me with the answers I need, then so fucking be it.
But what makes no sense to me is, if gala night is so important, why he has me meeting him for dinner before? It would make more sense to meet at the gala, as I’m sure he has a lot of last-minute things to do to prepare. However, in the short time I have known him, I have come to realize very little makes sense about Carmine Moretti.
Suddenly, it hits me. He didn’t just refer to it as any event; he said it is their annual Halloween Gala. So did Elaine, earlier today in the fitting room.Halloween Gala.
My stomach turns with a twinge of grief. I wonder if it’s the same Gala that Mama and Papa were at all those years ago, when they were murdered? It has to be a coincidence, what are the chances? In the social scene of New York’s elite, Halloween parties and galas are not anything groundbreaking.
Then again, the world of organized criminals is smaller than one would assume, and if it is the same gala, it would explain why I have been called here like I have. I need to play my cards right or I might end up being the next andfinalRicci dead.
I glance down at his ink-covered hand, trying to distract myself from the unease that I feel building inside. His hand flinches as if he is startled by me taking in his tattoo. The black ink mixed with the veins that run through his large hand is transforming my internal angst into arousal. Suddenly, the thought of his strong hands wrapped around my throat, robbing me of air as he pins me against the wall flashes in my mind. The thought sears itself into my brain, making me want that fantasy to come to life, despite the obvious reasons it shouldn’t.
Fuck, it can’t. What am I thinking?
I try to steady my breath and focus back on my next move in this never-ending game of chess we have found ourselves in.
Adjusting my gaze to his is an arguably worse move, considering the fantasy I was just conjuring in my mind. As our eyes meet, it feels like we are tearing into each other’s souls. There is something about his presence that feels oddly familiar, comforting, even. His dark irises summon me. They call to something deep inside of me.
This is too much.I don’t know where to look.
I’m about to open my mouth to say something, anything, to detract from this tension that is building by the second between us. Carmine clears his throat, again, with a shit-eating grin on his face, immediately bringing me back down to reality. Angry Sienna is back, I can work with angry. Lustful Sienna, well, she is unpredictable, and there is no time for unpredictable right now.
“If I may have your attention,” he jokes.
Fucking arrogant asshole.
“You have it, go on,” I say.
