16
Francesca
The building where Carlo lives on the Upper West Side is owned by the Trio, and everyone living in it is connected somehow. The driver spoke five words to me at most on the way here. The doorman tips his cap and opens the door without asking a single question. The concierge makes a phone call when he sees me as the grandfather clock in the glitzy lobby strikes midnight. I’m shown into a private elevator. It zips up the shaft toward the penthouse, and my belly flips over. This is it, time to take control and make a deal with the devil.
The mirrored doors of the elevator open. My heels click-clack across the marble floor. At the point where the foyer transitions into an open living area with a large loft above, a gold seal bearing the fearsome three-headed wolf of the Trio has been inlaid into the marble. “Subtle,” I scoff.
“It isn’t,” a male voice says from above - Carlo. “It’s a reminder to any sheep who visit.”
“A reminder of what?”
“That a wolf dwells here,” he answers, wearing the most brutally sexy grin as he walks down the floating staircase toward me.
“None of us sheep can forget that.Baaaaa.”
He chuckles as he comes to a halt a couple of feet away. His dress shirt is unbuttoned enough for me to see the Trio tattoo on his throat along with a tantalizing sliver of his tanned chest. I’ve never seen him without a tie.Tonight, I may see all of him.My face grows hot at the thought.
“As requested, we are alone, and I’m curious about your proposal.”
“All this space is yours?” I ask, nervously stalling.
“Yes. My brother Luca lives in the apartment below, but he would be the last person to disturb us. Would you like a tour?”
He’s noticed me gawking at the lighted terrace outside through the wall of glass. I would, I realize. I’d like to see his home and have him show it to me.That’s not why you came here.
“How many of the girls the paparazzi photographed you with the past few years has that concierge sent up the elevator?”
“None." My eyes widen incredulously. "They were outsiders,” he emphasizes. “You’ve been keeping tabs on my dating habits, I see.”
I scowl, hating that he’s right. “It was hard to avoid. Poor Sofia invented so many excuses to explain away your manwhore ways.”
His jaw clenches, and I have to remind myself I’m here to seduce him, not fight. “That’s the past, Francesca. I’m more interested in our future. Not counting my housekeeper, my mother and sisters are the only females who’ve ever been here… until you.”
“Does your female housekeeper ever stay over?”
"No, Dinora doesn't stay over," he answers, smirking. I sounded jealous, dammit.
“May we sit?” I nod toward the half-circle sofa.
“Of course.”
Once we’re seated, my heart speeds up when his warm thigh brushes against mine. What am I doing trying to pretend I’m a seductress? He’s a player, and I’ve never even been kissed.
“You are nervous,” he murmurs. Lying is pointless. I nod and his hand rises slowly toward my face. “I would like to know why you came and what’s making you so nervous, Francesca.” His deep voicesends a wave of longing through me as he softly strokes my cheek. It feels good. It feelstoogood.
“Marrying would be a mistake. I don’t want you, and you’ll change your mind about wanting me once your lust is sated.”
“You think lust guides me to make marriage proposals? Other ladies would beg to differ with you.”
“You're such a pig.”
“Oink-oink.Now, we’ve both impersonated barnyard animals tonight.” I don’t want to grin, but I do. “My desire for your body to one side, we are betrothed now.”
“No, we’re not. I’m not wearing a ring.”
“Alessio and I agreed-”
“You’re not marrying Alessio. It’s not the same as you putting a ring on my finger in front of our families and me accepting it.” His lips twist downward, and I’ve got him. “Traditions are important in the Trio, are they not?”
