Page 97 of Savage Ambition

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

DANTE

From the moment the attendant mentioned orders from “Master,” I knew Salvatore was testing me. He was either evaluating my loyalty or punishing me for my interest in Shaw. All I knew was someone was going to bleed before things were over.

I let Jace rage while I planned my attack, finally stepping into view. “Is it really such a surprise to discover Jace’s been fantasizing about what I could do to him since high school? Some men pay thousands to admit what they’re too cowardly to say out loud.”

“Don’t talk about me like I’m not here, you disgusting cocksucker.” Jace’s face twisted with rage. “I paid for you, so you don’t get to disrespect me. Know your fucking place.”

“My place?” I barked out a laugh. “Let me explain the hierarchy, Jace. In this building, I outrank everyone except the man whose name is on the deed. You? You are walking cash. The last client who disrespected me lost his tongue. Choose your next words carefully.”

Jace lifted his chin. “Your threats don’t scare me.”

“They should.” I tilted my head as I regarded him. “Do you know what happens to people who cross the Gennaro family? Them and everyone they ever loved disappear. Occasionally, pieces turn up in the East River. Sometimes nothing turns up at all. You wouldn’t want anything happening to that precious little sister of yours, would you?” It was a low blow, given my history with Melissa, but I was aiming to kill.

“Touch her again and die,” he snapped.

“Try it.” I reveled in my viciousness. “My father doesn’t tolerate unworthy hands on his assets. The last bastard who touched me without permission lost three fingers.”

I continued spinning Jace up. He’d be easier to manipulate that way. “Perhaps it would hurt more if I sent your bigoted dad a video of you visiting me. What would he say when he found out his son was spending money to buy sex from a man?” I’d been aware of his alcoholic father since high school and the homophobia he had inherited from the man.

Jace’s eyes widened. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“I’ve done worse for less.” I gave a dismissive shrug. “Cross me again, and I’ll make sure everyone knows you beg people to fuck you with cash in hand because not even the desperate would do it for free.”

“You think I’m scared of you?” Jace’s voice cracked. “You’re nothing but Gennaro’s whore.”

“Better a whore than a self-loathing hypocrite who dreams of sucking cock while pretending to be disgusted by what he craves.” I removed Shaw’s hand from the door and slammed it in Jace’s face.

Before Shaw could speak, I spun him around and pinned him against the wood, my forearm across his chest. The impact rattled the hinges, ensuring Jace heard every moment.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Jace pounded his fists against the other side. “Open the fucking door, you dick.”

“I promise I had nothing to do with this,” Shaw insisted.

Silencing him with a brutal kiss, I bit his lower lip hard enough to make him gasp. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer instead of pushing me away.

Jace pounded on the door. “I can hear you, you sick fucks. Shaw, what’s wrong with you? Don’t let him do this to you.”

With a vicious shove, I slammed Shaw harder against the door. Confusion flashed across his features before understanding dawned that I was putting on a performance, not punishing him.

Shaw moaned when I pressed my thigh between his legs.

“Stop it,” Jace screamed, his voice cracking with rage. “Don’t fucking touch Shaw, asshole. Let me in!”

“Do you hear that?” I called out. “He wants to watch us together. Should we let him?”

Jace hit the wood again. “You won’t live to regret this.”

Shaw’s hands gripped my ass, pulling me flush against him. The move caught me off guard. I hadn’t expected him to take such an active role in our charade. I rewarded his boldness by grinding my hip against his.

“Fuck, you feel so good,” I moaned loudly. “Better than any man or woman I’ve ever had.” It was an intentional dig at insulting Jace’s sister.

Jace’s cursing dissolved into incoherent shouting, the door trembling beneath his fists.

“He’s going to break it down,” Shaw whispered.

“Let him fucking try,” I replied. “I want him to see exactly what he’s missing.”