“And?” I sip my drink while wondering if he’s losing his mind over this woman.
“It was dark in there, and when I opened the door, they flew apart!”
“Oh.” My feverish imagination fills in the dots, and I find I like what I see. The thought of Chiara pink-cheeked and needy makes my blood heat. Thankfully, Angelo’s too busy grinding his teeth to notice.
“Why don’t you call it quits?” He stares at me. “I mean, you know she’s not some meek woman you can bend to your will. I realize your father wants an heir, but honestly? You both shouldhave cut your losses when she ran after the wedding.” I’m right, and he knows it. This isn’t about a baby or even a marriage. It’s about making her submit, and that’s never going to happen.
“I can’t let her go.”
Can't or won't?
His jaw clenches as he pours another drink. I shake my head when he offers me a refill. I need to catch some sleep soon or I’ll be operating below par in the morning. Lorenzo needs no excuse to question my professionalism or loyalty, so I don’t plan on giving him one.
“Why? Sure, she’s gorgeous, but there are other women out there. I hear Mauricio’s daughter, Helena, is single. She’s not bad looking, and she would be a good fit.”
My friend scoffs. “Been there, not interested.” My eyebrows shoot up. That’s news to me.
“When?”
“Remington’s club. She cornered me one night and sucked me off.” He waves his hand dismissively. “The bitch is boring.”
Interesting. I must have missed that bit of salacious gossip. Perhaps I need to spend more time down at the club. Most of the major players in our world use it as an extension of their boardrooms, so it’s useful to be a member.
Luckily for me, Angelo covers my membership fee. He pays well, but I refuse to drop that kind of money to get laid. Not when I can pick up a woman in a bar for free if the urge strikes.
My mind drifts back to the vixen upstairs. I have a feeling she’d handle me no problem.
“Then find someone else. There are options. Options that don’t include forcing a woman who hates your guts to act as your wife.”
“I don’t want anyone else.” Something in his tone catches my attention.
“Why? What’s so special about her?” I know exactly why I think she’s special, but I’m curious to know what he sees in her.
“She’s mine. That’s all you need to know.” The stubborn set of his jaw tells me he’s unwilling to talk about his feelings. As per usual.
“You might want her to be yours, but I can tell Luka feels the same way, so prepare to share, brother.” With me too, if I have my way.
“Not fucking happening!” He slams his glass down on the desk and sweeps a pile of papers to the floor. “I don’t share!”
“Then get used to watching her fuck your brother because I guarantee it’s going to happen any day now.”
22
Angelo
Ifill a mug from the coffee carafe and add some cream and sugar. Normally I drink my coffee black, but this morning I need the additional energy boost. Spending time with my father is always a bitter pill, but our scheduled family breakfast promises to be even worse than usual.
There’s no sign of Fina yet. I have a feeling she’s been fighting fires all night with a combination of threats and promises of exclusive stories.
Dad strolls in wearing a god-awful canary yellow sweater that tells me he has a golf lesson this morning. He discovered golf a year ago and has become obsessed with his handicap. I hate the fucking game, and no matter how many times he bullies me into joining him on the links, I don’t improve.
“You look like shit,figlio.”
“Long night.” I take a seat by the window, ignoring the breakfast spread. My stomach can’t cope with high-fat food this morning. I’m a bundle of stress and tension, and if I eat anything, there’s a danger it might come back up.
Has Chiara given me an ulcer?
It wouldn’t fucking surprise me.
