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“Why am I meeting them?”
“That’s your date with Anton. You’re his plus-one this evening.”
I let that information sink in as we head to the house where Anton lives and I car drives down into an underground garage. I follow Ella and Lewis to the elevator, and we stand in silence as the cart rides up into the house.
The doors slide open into a large, busy kitchen where chefs are preparing food. It’s chaotic as we make our way through. We pass through a hall larger than I’ve ever seen with a winding staircase and a chandelier hanging down. It’s more than impressive, and I consider getting out my mobile to snap a few shots so I can show the girls, but Ella begins to climb the stairs and so I follow eagerly, wanting to see what the bedrooms are like.
ANTON
I pour myself a drink and take a seat. Checking my watch for the hundredth time, I sigh. I hate lateness, and so far, Piper is three minutes late. The sound of heels clicking on the hall floor grabs my attention. Ella appears first in her usual house attire of shorts and an oversized shirt. “Let me present your date for this evening.” She smiles wide and steps aside.
Piper steps into the doorway, and I inhale sharply. She looks stunning. Her dress clings to every one of her perfect curves. Her hair is curled and tied to one side so it falls over her shoulder and across her chest. A few loose curls frame her face. Piper doesn’t need makeup, but the cost of the makeup artist that Ella insisted on was totally worth it. She looks flawless.
“Thank you, Ella. Please check the guestroom has been made up.”
She glances back at Piper before saying, “Actually, Piper isn’t staying here this evening.”
I smirk, knowing full well Piperisspending the evening under this roof because I make the rules. I stand and stride over to the drinks caddy. “Please check on the room, Ella,” I repeat as I pour Piper a drink.
I wait for Ella to leave then hold out the wine glass for Piper. She steps closer, taking it. “Anton, I didn’t agree to stay over. I’ll be going home after dinner.”
“I think you’re forgetting who holds the power here, Piper. It certainly isn’t you.” I grin, and she scowls. “My guests will arrive shortly. You should be on your best behaviour tonight.”
“If you needed a performing monkey, you should have blackmailed one of those instead.”
I run my finger along her jawline, and it sets my skin on fire. “Don’t pretend you’re not enjoying this. Let’s greet my guests.”
I hold out my arm, and she stares at it until I raise my brow. She sighs and then hooks her arm into mine. “If we’re eating here, why did we bother to dress up?” she asks.
I snigger. She’s got a lot to learn about my world and how it’s completely different to hers.
Guests have begun to arrive, and I shake hands with them and kiss their wives on the cheek. It’s all a show, but I’m used to it as I’ve been doing this since I was a boy. Eight made men coming together under one roof only happens on rare occasions, but I know there have been whispers about my ability to lead our organisation since I’ve always been the playboy, along with Tag. All my capos, a couple of them younger than me, are settled down and married. And with my father dying earlier than expected, they’ve given me time to find my feet, but they need to see I’m taking my role seriously. I’m no longer the playboy of the Mafia—I’m the boss.
“Why aren’t Tag and Lucy here?” asks Piper.
“Tag has other business to deal with this evening.” The truth is, he hates this sort of thing, and I allowed him to dip out of this one. Now, he owes me a favour, and I plan on taking full advantage of that.
Our waiter for the evening announces dinner is being served, so we make our way through to the dining room. I take the head of the table and nod to my left so Piper understands where she should sit. All the other men take their places, but everyone remains standing until I sit, and then they follow suit.
The waiters bring out the food and begin to serve us. Ella chose the menu. I trust my sister completely to know what will impress people. Apparently, scallops were her choice of starter because the wives would love them. If the wives are happy, then the men usually are, and as I tuck into the delicate seafood, I’m thankful for her help.
“Oh my god,” Piper groans around a mouthful of juicy scallop. “These are amazing.”
A smile pulls at my lips. “You’ve never had scallops?” I ask, and she shakes her head before taking another mouthful. I become fixated on her expression, forgetting my own food as she closes her eyes in pleasure and groans again. She swipes her thumb over the corner of her mouth and pops it between her lips to lick it clean.
“That was amazing.” She glances at my plate. “Don’t you like them?”
I grin, picking up my fork again. “Sorry, I got lost in thought. What about venison? Have you had that?”
Piper thinks for a moment. “I’ve had a venison burger. Does that count?”
I laugh again and shake my head. “Not really.”
Matthew, one of the made men, sits to my right, and he leans closer to pull my attention away from Piper. I reluctantly engage in conversation, but my mind is fully on her, and I hardly hear a word he’s saying.
I’ve never been on a dinner date where my date has never eaten this kind of food. And when the venison is placed before her, her eyes widen in delight. She loves food, and it’s a refreshing change from the women I usually take out. When she slices her first piece and pops it in her mouth, she looks ready to burst. “Oh, my lord,” she says around a mouthful. “This is the best venison I’ve ever had.”
“I thought you’d never had it,” I query.
