Page 24 of Savage Ambition

Trent laughed it off as he got up to leave with the woman escorting him to his room.

Another woman stepped forward and smiled at Jace. “Who would you like to meet, sir?”

“Since he didn’t go with Accountant Annie, I think I’ll try her tonight. That way, I can tell Trent about what a great time he missed out on.”

“I’m sorry, sir, but she is currently unavailable. Would you prefer to wait in our lounge for an hour until she’s free or choose someone else?”

“Is Secretary Dominique available?”

“Yes, if you so desire.”

Jace’s lips turned upward in a perverse smirk. “There’s not a man alive who would turn her down, right?”

The woman laughed while Jace followed her out of the room with a wave over his shoulder at me.

Once I was alone with Dante’s attendant, she gave me another cryptic smile. “President Dragon is free to see you, sir.” Her voice was professional, but her eyes held warmth.

“What makes you so certain that he’s the one I’m here to visit tonight?” I regretted my words the instant they were out of my mouth. “Sorry, I guess that was a stupid question.”

“Forgive me for making such an assumption.” She gave a formal bow, although her tone was still light with amusement. “Perhaps you’d prefer someone else this evening?”

“No,” I admitted, the fight draining out of me. “It’s him. It’s always going to be him, isn’t it?”

Her expression softened. “Some clients find themselves drawn to certain workers. It’s not uncommon.”

“Is that what this is? A preference?” I asked, following her to the elevator.

She pressed the button for the top floor. “What else would it be?”

I couldn’t answer because I had no words for what drew me to Dante. It was something beyond physical desire that had transformed into something darker and more dangerous. I had a sickness with no cure but him.

The elevator ascended, carrying me toward a man who consumed my thoughts and drained my bank account. Three visits in three days. My trust fund could handle it, but could I?

I needed a distraction. “Are you allowed to tell me your name?”

“Ishi.”

“That’s such a pretty name.” I wondered if that was her real name or her brothel one, like Dragon. “Does it mean something?”

She smiled at me. “Yes, it can mean both jewel and stone in Japanese. It’s a perfect summation for the two halves of me.”

“That’s beautiful.” Her gentle kindness seemed out of place in a brothel owned by the notorious Gennaro family. It made me curious what her story was that brought her to work for one of the most notorious Italian Mafias.

The elevator doors slid open to the top floor, revealing a hallway of closed doors.

“President Dragon is the third door on the left tonight, sir.”

After thanking her, I walked toward my destiny, each step heavier than the last.

Before I chickened out, I knocked and pushed open the door.

The room was a perfect replica of a classroom, down to the exact arrangement of desks. Dante sat in the back row like usual. He wore a prep school uniform of a navy blazer with a crest, a crisp white shirt, black pants that hugged his thighs, and a tie.

He didn’t glance up from his book, making me stand there like a peasant awaiting acknowledgment from a king. Finally, he marked his page and raised his gaze to mine.

“When I said, ‘See you later,’ I had assumed it would be Monday in class, not tonight.” His voice was laced with cruel amusement. “Three nights in a row? You must be desperate.”

“Would you rather me not be here?” I crossed my arms over my chest, hating how small he made me feel with a single look.