Stay calm.I couldn’t show emotion in front of my guests. They knew me as a ruthless, merciless Mafia man. Losing my cool would instantly put a target on Isla’s back.
A server carrying a tray of tequila shots headed my way. Yes, it wasn’t Italian, but I had to cater to all my guests, and I enjoyed a shot of tequila from time to time.
I held a hand up to stop him and took a glass in each hand, downing them one after the other.
Semi-controlled, I set the shot glasses on the tray and went to the DJ to make a special song request…
3
ISLA
When the John Legendsong ended and a familiar piano solo began, I instantly stiffened. I knew Ciro had seen me dancing with the charming and funny Italian. No surprise, just as I’d seen him kiss the leggy bimbo.
But how could he ask the DJ to playthesong with dozens of people around to hear it? The action only meant one thing. Ciro was about to lose his mind.
Terror burst inside me, fearing the worst.
The end was looming above us. I’d knowingly set off a devastating chain reaction, and I couldn’t take it back or stop the train wreck heading straight for me.
How could I have been so stupid?
When the stranger had asked me to dance, I should have said no. I always politely declined out of respect for the man I loved, and I just didn’t care to dance with other men.
But this time, I’d accepted the invitation with ill intent to give Ciro a taste of what I had endured at these damn events. Now, severe regret flooded my veins.
My heart hammering against my ribs, I discreetly turnedmy head from one side to the other searching for him. “No One” was the song I had deemed asour song,after Ciro had bought us tickets to a very expensive private charity concert Alicia Keys had sponsored.
That night at the concert had been magical. I’d believed Ciro’s feelings for me were deeper than he’d alluded to, but by the next morning, he’d gone back to his usual indifferent self.
I must have been a glutton for punishment to allow a man, no matter how handsome and rich, to emotionally abuse me. From day one, Ciro had been stand-offish and cold. I wasn’t sure why he had kept me around if he never planned to share his life with me.
Foolish optimism, I suppose. I’d prayed for him to be open to marriage and children… with me.
Sensing his presence, I refrained from looking for him. Why give him the satisfaction of seeing me unnerved?
Suddenly, my dance partner’s hands were forced off me, and Ciro’s lightly touched my hips, brushing up my sides. They glided smoothly over the silk fabric of my strapless dress, up to the gentle curve of my neck.
My body sizzled with desire, yet my pulse thundered with fear. There was no question in my mind that he was furious. And a furious Ciro was merciless and deadly.
He gave my sensitive skin an open-mouthed kiss, swirling his tongue just the way I liked on my clit. It was evil of him to do. He always could make me crumble at his feet.
The man standing in front of me glared. I imagined Ciro’s cocky, victorious grin. He was probably thinking,That’s right, motherfucker. She’s mine.
The thrill I had being Ciro Remotti’s possession was unhealthy. I knew as much. But not once hadhe physically abused me. He had never lied to me about his expectations or intentions.
I had stayed with him out of love and hoped that one day he would be able to love me back.
As always, Ciro melted me. He swept me off my feet with his dominance and lulled me into submission. My head fell back against his chest. “Ciro,” I whispered his name in a breathy tone, showing how I struggled to resist him.
I could never resist him. Some days I believed he couldn’t resist me, too.
The day we met rushed back to me as we swayed to music. I’d never forget how Ciro had acted like a lovestruck man…
I bouncedmy leg under the conference table, feeling wholly exposed and vulnerable. Why was he staring at me? His rich mahogany-colored eyes twinkled with something… Desire? Hunger? Vexation?
It was like he couldn’t take his eyes off me. Like it was literally impossible to look at anyone else. Like he’d lost control of those piercing eyes, pinning me in my chair.
I kept my head down and picked at my nails while my boss did all the talking. I hadn’t heard a single word, and wagered neither had Mr. Remotti, behaving as if he was totally captivated by me, the young intern.
