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I stop halfway across the room and smile. She’s tall, athletic, fit. She isn’t soft like most of the girls I’m used to who are looking for a knight in shining armor. She will save herself, and do it with a dress on, apparently.

It’s no wonder she gave Michael Russo such a hard time. I can imagine her beating the shit out of him, and my dick twitches at the thought. It’s such a damn sexy idea, her fighting for her own honor.

“I saved you from Michael Russo,” I say with a smirk. “Who knows what he would have done to you?”

“I saved myself,” she snaps. “I didn’t need saving by you. Now let me fucking go home before something seriously bad happens to you.”

Oh, threatening me already. I like her spunk.

“Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen. While I may have taken you for your protection, this is also a business decision.” I incline my head. “It’s between your brother and me.”

Her eyes grow darker, and she snarls at me, literally baring her teeth. “Those fucking casinos. I want nothing to do with those fucking casinos.”

I chuckle softly. “Then why were you with Michael? You’re clearly very smart. I admire that.”

“I don’t need your validation,” she snaps. “I want to go home.” It’s not a plea; it’s a demand.

I give her an indulgent smile. “Now, Guilia, can I call you Guilia?”

“No,” she says.

“Guilia,” I let it roll off my tongue. “You are my guest, and I am happy to make you comfortable while you stay here. I’m happy to have you, in general.”

I’m teasing her now, but I don’t know if she’s caught on. Her gaze doesn’t betray her like mine surely does.

“But you have to remain here until the deal is done. I’m sorry, I really am. I imagine you hate being inconvenienced like this, but your brother brought you into this equation. I am merely playing his bluff.”

“It wasn’t a bluff. He wants me to marry Michael,” she snaps.

“Well, that won’t be a problem anymore.” I glance at my watch. “It’s getting late.”

“I am leaving,” she says. “You can keep my dress as a memento, and thanks for the shower.”

She takes a step forward, but my indulgent smile hasn’t left, and Maria steps up with a gun pointed at the girl as though it’s the simplest decision ever made.

CHAPTER EIGHT

GIA

As Maria advances with the gun aimed at me, I gasp. I step back, away from her. I was ready to take on the Ricci Don, but the fight goes out of me, and I deflate like a balloon.

I stare at the firearm, then my eyes turn back to that smug fucking smile on the asshole’s face. I would give anything, and I mean anything, right now to be able to punch that smug smile off his face.

Anger builds inside me, and all I want to do is rage, but I force myself to remain calm. I’m not going to accomplish anything tonight, especially not with a gun trained on me.

I wouldn’t put it past this housekeeper to shoot me if I make the wrong move. She seems very loyal to the Don. I will get out of this situation, I swear it, but I don’t know how…yet.

I take another step back from them, then I sit on the sofa. I don’t look down, though. I lift my chin and stare into that dark gaze of his. His eyes seem to sparkle at the moment, as he stands there, his arms crossed, his eyes on me.

I don’t know; is he creepy on purpose? I don’t like the fact that I have to spend time here. Who knows what he is planning. Maria stands next to her Don, and he watches me for a moment more.

“That’s better,” he says. “Settle in. Relax. I promise you, you will be treated well while under my roof. Unlike with Michael.”

“How do you know about Michael anyway?” I ask, my anger boiling beneath the surface. “Are you following me around?”

“It wasn’t you we were following,” he answers. “You just happened to be a consequence we took advantage of.”

I glare at him. “I am not some pawn in your fucking game.”