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Nodding, I repeated what I had oft heard over the years. “Women are deadlier than men because men underestimate, drop their guard, and lose all instincts when a woman is involved.”
Mamma grabbed my chin and squeezed, trying to inflict pain. Yet I didn’t flinch. “I see how you look at her already, and that’s from a distance. She notices and will use your weak flesh for her benefit.”
“My flesh isn’t weak.” I removed her hand. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to chat with a jewel.”
Trying to clear my head of my irritation with Roberto and my mother, who had once again accused me of being soft, I walked briskly toward the casino's main floor. I needed to have a clear mind when I approached my past. A past that had haunted me and that, quite frankly, I never thought I would see again. I greeted guests and acquaintances as I weaved in and out of the crowd, my gaze never losing sight of my destination.
“Gianni? I want to dance.” Verona appeared out of nowhere and wrapped her arms around my waist, stopping my progress.
Annoyed and wanted to push her away from me, but decorum dictated otherwise. I firmly removed her arms. “I don’t.”
She hissed. “Then don’t call me tonight wanting to fuck.”
“I won’t.” I strode away, unaffected by her threat. Verona didn’t hold a candle on her best day to the woman only a few feet away. Unbridled jealousy rose within me when she touched the man’s biceps and smiled up at him before she sipped on champagne. I glared at the man who saw me stalk toward them. He wisely excused himself, and though her profile indicated mild surprise at his abrupt departure, I saw a smile of amusement grace her features. She’d been anticipating me. I remained behind her admiring her round ass that the purple dress hid little. “Diamond?”
“Which of your men alerted you to my presence?” she asked without turning around.
My gut tightened at the familiar sound of her voice. I encased her tiny waist with my hands and whispered in her ear. “This is my casino. Does it matter?”
She didn’t seem fazed by my touch. “Maybe. Wouldn’t want the wrong person killed for not taking me out.”
“Killed, taking you out? Really, Diamond. Such harsh words on a magical night like this. Tonight is a celebration.”
“I see. Congratulations on your new casino.” She downed the rest of her flute before grabbing another one from the bar.
“Thank you. Are you going to turn around? Although this view is divine, I’d rather speak to your face.” I ached to hold her in my arms. It had been over twenty years, and she was my first love. I guess I should say only love. I’d been a bastard to women who wanted more than fucking. Hell, I’d been a bastard even if all a woman required was my dick. If you dare ask for more, I refused any more contact. After losing my father and Laffy, I vowed never to love anyone outside my mother. No one could ever hurt me by taking a loved one away from me again. Yet, here I am, hoping that she still loved me.
“Take your hands off of me, first.”
“No,” I replied calmly. “Turn around.”
Instead of facing me, she lifted her arms over her head and swayed to the music. “Nice band.”
“Paris,” I warned.
“Oh, you do remember me?” I could hear the smile thinly veiled by sarcasm in her voice before she finally turned to me, draping her arms around my neck. I tightened my jaw to prevent the gasp that wanted to escape my lips at the sheer beauty who stood before me defiantly. Her now red and tawny hair draped her honey brown heart-shaped face perfectly. Naturally long lashes partially hid the dark eyes that glowed with appreciation as she studied my own transformation over the years. I longed to kiss the beauty mark above the right corner of her full purple-stained lips to taste her supple skin highlighted by the rich purple fabric. For a few moments, we soaked in the people we’d become.
I had grown from a scrawny teenager to a handsome man, thickened with age and muscles. My black hair, beard, and mustache with specks of gray remained full and immaculately trimmed, my skin permanently tanned from the heat of a rarely cold city. My hazel eyes that changed colors depending on the light probably appeared blue to her at this very moment. I had wealth, could get any woman I’d wanted, and had far-reaching influence. I had become a boss of the underbelly of New Orleans whose soldiers waited for my command and, to the rest of the world, a successful entrepreneur bringing millions to the city. And my first love...
Well, it appears she’d become my enemy number one.
Chapter Seven
“Absolutely breathtaking. I have never seen a more beautiful woman,” I complimented.
