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I nodded and wound my fingers together in front of me. “Yes, sir,” I said tauntingly.
His jaw ticked. “You need to go.”
I could only smile as I nodded and walked toward the door. I knew precisely why he needed me to leave, and it had nothing to do with wanting me to go. I paused and looked over my shoulder. “Vincent,” I said. When he looked at me, I gave him a genuine smile. “I’m happy to be part of your team.” I hadn’t ever meant anything more.
I left the room and clicked the door closed behind me. I swore I heard a long groan on the other side of it, but I walked away anyways, understanding he had a lot of work to do. Now that everything was settled between us, we’d be having far more time together, but now wasn’t the time. There was still one more thing I needed to take care of.
I made my way back to my room, relishing in all the newfound freedom I had. There was nobody watching me and nobody checking where I’d gone now. I was here to stay, and Vincent knew it. So when I made it to my room, I laid back on my bed and looked at the screen of my phone—one that Caterina gave me a week ago as a show of trust. One more thing needed to be done, and it was time I took care of it. I dialed my dad’s number and typed out a message, reading it three times before hitting send. My racing heart settled the second it said “delivered,” but I knew it had to be done. I read the message one more time before deleting it and blocking my dad’s contact.
I’m done, and I’m staying with Vincent. Don’t come for me. I’m not coming back.
18
VINCENT COLOMBO
Mia had certainly made an impression—one I couldn’t get out of my mind. I worked through meetings and minor conflicts with a constant erection. Nothing could bring it down no matter how gory or brutal the discussions became. Mia still found a way to make a fleeting appearance in my mind long enough to cause issues. They were issues I was prepared to work through this evening, though.
We had noticed an uptick in movement on the west side, but there’d been nothing substantial enough to worry about yet, so I had Caterina keeping a close eye on the situation while Luca and Alessio spoke to all our contacts to ensure nothing was preparing to go down. I had, after all, ignored a summons by Pete Genovese two days before. I still had his daughter, though he had no idea that I kept her for an entirely different reason now.
The conflict was on an uptick, and it’d have to be something settled sooner rather than later. There would be no alliance with him, I’d decided. Mia had made the decision to swear herself to me, and I wouldn’t use her as a bargain for peace. I wouldn’t use her at all. She was mine, and he wouldn’t take her back. He didn’t seem to appreciate what he’d had when she was still on his side, and I’d be damned if I let her go back there.
I wanted to stay home and monitor the conflict, but I had other obligations this evening, and Mia deserved a night out to do something that didn’t involve veiled threats or death. Tonight would be the perfect opportunity, so I sent her a silver dress and heels, and I demanded she be ready by five o’clock sharp.
“Tonight could be dangerous,” Caterina said, shaking her head and twirling her dagger in a way that showed her uncertainty. “They’re on the move. You need to take me with you.”
I shook my head. “I need you to stay here and keep an eye on everything,” I told her.
“I’ll be damned if I sit back and watch them attack this event. You know how much this cause means to me, and I can’t watch something happen while I’m left behind.”
I knewexactlyhow much these events meant to her. It had been where we’d met the first time, and it had been where she’d attempted to pickpocket me all those years ago. I would have never guessed that she’d become one of my top three most trusted advisors, but here we stood.
“You’re in charge of keeping everything in line. I’ll have my phone on me all night, and if something looks fishy, we’ll take care of it.” She sighed heavily and nodded, clearly not liking my decision to leave her here.
I made my way into the main entranceway, and I stopped in my tracks as I stared at the most stunning woman I’d ever seen. Mia wore the dress I’d given her, and it hugged every inch of her in a way that I hadn’t anticipated. It left nothing to the imagination. “You can’t wear that,” I demanded, shaking my head. “We’re finding something else.”
She whipped around and met my eyes, giving me an approving nod. “You look nice.”
“Come on,” I said, reaching for her hand. “You’re changing.”
She laughed and took a step back. “I don’t think so. It took twenty minutes to get into this dress, and it might be the most comfortable thing I’ve ever worn. It stays.”
“If one person leers at you—”
“Tone down the theatrics. We’re going to be late.”
I didn’t think she understood how serious I was. I also didn’t think she realized how magnificent she looked. If she glanced downward, I had no doubt she’d see my bulging erection from the mere sight of her. Her black hair lay stark on the silver of the dress, and it gave her skin a glow that I’d never seen on her before. The touch of makeup she wore accentuated all her features, and as I glanced down at the cleavage the dress revealed, I tightened my jaw. Oh, other men would certainly look at her tonight, and I wouldn’t be able to control my temper. Unfortunately, we were going to the single place where controlling my temper was essential.
I exhaled slowly and offered her a hand. She slid her small, smooth palm into mine, and I pulled her swiftly into my chest. The smile that lit her face sent my heart racing. “When we get home tonight,” I told her, “I’m not going to spare that dress.” She tipped her head back and laughed.
* * *
We were givenfront-row seats to the stage, and everyone referred to me as Mr. Colombo. To my surprise, only a few people’s gazes lingered on Mia, and I thanked God for that mercy. “This is a beautiful event,” she admitted as a server in a suit brought an appetizer to our table. “I didn’t realize the orphanage had the funds to put on something like this.”
“I pay for it,” I shrugged. She gaped at me, and I continued, “I know this is a point of disagreement for us, but this orphanage has provided me with alliances and partners who have saved my life and my people’s lives more times than I can count. I pay for them to have a dinner each year where they honor their benefactors. The recognition gets them more funding, and in return, the children have better care.”
She nodded and put the small sliver of an appetizer in her mouth, chewing and nodding in approval. “It’s a nice thing you do here. I’m sure you’ve changed a lot of lives.”
“I have.” She smiled at me, and I saw something different in that smile. Something softer and more sincere. I saw loyalty and appreciation there. “I haven’t thanked you,” I told her. “For swearing your loyalty to me. I know it couldn’t have been an easy decision.”
