“I thought she was just playing along. Someone knocked on the door, I told them to fuck off. And then I fucked her. For an hour. When it was over, I told her to come back the next night. I don’t know why, it was out of character for me, but she was... different.”
“And did she come back?” I asked, curious.
He shook his head. “No. So I asked Elen about her. That’s when I found out she wasn’t one of our girls.”
“What?” I frowned. “Who was she?”
Maxim sighed, the weight of regret etched into his expression. “That’s the fucking million-dollar question. I have no idea. The guards said she was looking for me. They thought she was a new girl applying for a job, so they sent her to Elen. But she didn’t go to her, she came straight to me. I was so distracted by her beauty it didn’t even register. And now…”
He paused, voice lower. “Now I think I misread everything. I thought her pain was part of some act, but... Carlo, I think I might’ve hurt her. I think I might’ve—” He forced a swallow. “Forced her.”
“Maxim,” I said carefully. “You’re overthinking it. If she didn’t want to be there, she would’ve said something. Screamed. Fought back. Anything.”
“That’s the problem,” he muttered, rubbing his temples. “I didn’t give her the chance. Before she could say anything, I was in her pussy to the hilt. And the way she moved, I—” he exhaled sharply. “I don’t know, Carlo. I think she was a virgin.”
That caught me off guard, and I couldn’t stop the laugh that slipped out. “A virgin? In a whorehouse? Come on, Maxim. That’s insane.”
“Do you think this is funny?” he snapped.
I tried to stifle the grin tugging at my lips. “Alright, alright. Look, no way in hell would some innocent virgin willingly walk into the Bruni territory, let alone one of our clubs. She probably saw an opportunity and took it. Trust me. If she didn’t want to be there, you’d have known.”
Maxim leaned back, clearly still disturbed. “You really think so?”
“I know so. She’s probably out there right now counting the cash you left and thinking about her next client. Don’t lose sleep over it. If she comes back, clear the air. If not, let it go.”
He looked like he wanted to argue, but in the end, he nodded. “I hope you’re right.”
Before I could reply, Emily entered the room, setting the SpongeBob-themed cake on the table before gently taking an ecstatic Gabriel from Brando’s arms. I got to my feet and walked over to her, kissing her forehead.
Brando lit the single candle on the cake and started singing the birthday song. Gabriel squealed with joy in the crook of Emily’s arm, even though he didn’t know what was happening. She kissed his head and blew out the candle for him, then handed him to me to go grab the birthday gift.
She looked unusually excited, like she was hiding something big. I had no idea what was coming but the way her eyes sparkled, I knew there was something going on.
“Gabriel’s birthday gift is also a little something for you,” she said with a playful smile before leaving the room. When she returned, she was carrying a large box, clearly light, judging by how effortlessly she held it.
She looked at me, eyes sparkling. “Ready?”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Brando smirking. That grin was pure mischief. He’d clearly been in on this.
Soft barks rose from inside the box.
“Sounds like Diablo can’t wait,” Emily teased as she opened it and let the dog out.
My brows shot up. This was no Diablo. Not even close. This thing was the complete opposite. A tiny, fluffy white pup that looked more like a stuffed animal than a dog. Even full-grown, it probably wouldn’t outweigh Gabriel on his first birthday.
“Surprise!” Emily said, beaming. “Meet our new family member.”
The little puffball wagged its tail furiously, circled Emily once, then trotted toward me and latched onto my cuff, tugging with miniature teeth.
Gabriel squealed in my arms, flailing excitedly toward the pup.
“What a glorious reincarnation of your beloved dog, Don Carlo,” Brando said, the wicked grin still plastered on his face.
Gabriel latched onto my finger again and shoved it into his mouth, gumming it with his lone baby tooth. I was officially under attack, from above and below. The room filled with suppressed laughter as Maxim, Lorenzo, and Giorgio tried, and failed, to hide their amusement.
I raised an eyebrow at Emily.
She broke into laughter, stepped close, pulled me down slightly, and kissed me. “Sorry, honey. I know you loved Diablo. But this is the most Diablo you’re allowed now. Worst he’ll do is shred your socks, not your flesh.”
