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I curl my lip up in disgust. “Two. Million.”
I don’t leave any room for argument as I stare at the man who came to my table. He thought it was a negotiation. It wasn’t ever going to be. I know how much I spent; I know how much I want to make.
Could he find a better deal out there? Probably, but I’m the one who controls the price and I’m interested in making a profit, not making a friend here. Getting a little more out of this cockroach of a man is just a bonus.
I lean back in my chair as if I don’t have a care in the world. In this case, I don’t. I’m not going to apologize for making money off him. A deal like this is exactly what we need and I’m not going to back down.
If I can show Orlov that working with me is lucrative then I know I’ll be able to do more arms deals in the future which is what I want. Using Martinez to get there doesn’t bother me in the least.
Juan nods and sticks his hand out toward me. “Deal.”
I take his hand and shake it once. “Pleasure doing business with you,” my voice is ice cold. I stand. “Once you’re ready to transfer the funds, you can inspect the product and we’ll work out the logistics of transporting everything.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” Juan stands and shakes his head. “Guess I’ll have to find pussy elsewhere to help me celebrate.”
I make a humming sound as the image of Viola taking my brothers at the same time flashes in my mind. I wouldn’t mind burying myself deep inside of her to celebrate.
Where the fuck did that thought come from? I shake it off and go about making sure that Juan leaves my warehouse and the area. Just a few more days and my business with the man will be done. Then I’ll be one step closer to where our family was always destined to be.
CHAPTER 7
MASSIMO
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Viola in the two days since I saw her last. Having our woman on my mind isn’t anything new, but normally I can keep going and get the tasks I have done. Not today.
Not when I need to know if she can’t stop thinking about me and my brothers.
It was like a revelation having her in our home the other night for dinner. She didn’t have to accept our invitation, though Mateo made sure to make an offer she really couldn’t refuse. I almost punched him for it, but, in the end, his methods got me what I wanted most—time with the woman I know is supposed to be ours.
I don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks about the arrangement. There are so many facets to Viola, and she meshes with the three of us perfectly. She can be cheeky and takes Marco’s joking in stride. She can be sweet and doesn’t mind my softer side. She isn’t put off by the way Mateo holds himself apart while not backing down from him.
She’s perfect for us and I’m determined to make sure my brothers see it too. I’m pretty sure Marco is more than half in love with the woman already and I’ve been all the way there, just waiting for everyone to catch up. Mateo is going to prove to be the most difficult one to push down the path toward our future, one which isn’t shaped by power and stature, but by Viola’s love and light.
When I can’t take it anymore, I call my brother, not surprised when he answers on the second ring. Before he can say anything, I blurt out, “Marco, where’s our girl?”
“Well, hello to you too, brother,” he mocks me, his voice filled with amusement. “It’s nice to hear from you. How is your day going?”
I scoff. “I see you all the time and I know you’re watching her,” I try and keep the bitterness and jealousy over him having the job of following Viola—whether it’s to keep tabs on her or keep her safe doesn’t matter to me—out of my voice.
“I am watching her.” I roll my eyes and want to punch him when he adds with a groan, “And her sexy ass.”
“Right,” I bite out. “Where is she?”
“She’s keeping up appearances today,” he tells me, and I know exactly what he means.
Viola must be out with Fleur and is more than likely shopping. It makes me think about the other night at dinner and how she seemed detached when talking about what is expected of her and the image people have of her. She doesn’t like it, but having people underestimate her isn’t a bad thing and she knows it.
I was surprised when she revealed one of her passions to us. It was after Marco teased her about her epically long shopping trips. “I’m sure that’s all you saw when you saw me—some stupid socialite with too much money and not enough brains,” there was a challenge and level of sadness in her voice. She whispered so softly that I almost didn’t hear it, “It’s not all I am.”
I prompted her, desperately wanting to know the answer, “What else are you, Viola?”
“It doesn’t matter,” she tried to dismiss my question and my curiosity, which I could see matched in the eyes of my brothers.
“It does,” I insisted.
Viola studied us for a long time, taking the measure of each of us. My gut clenched with the thought that she would find us wanting and wouldn’t share with us whatever secret she was holding close to her heart.
“I do some graphic design on the side,” she shared biting her lip, showing nervousness she never allowed herself to display when talking about anything else. It was strange to see her so vulnerable. I wasn’t expecting her answer and I don’t think my brothers were either. She huffed and straightened her spine. “I do mostly book covers for indie authors.”
