I fight the shiver that threatens to roll through me. He’s toying with me and I’m letting him. Fuck.
I frown, remembering the man I’m dealing with. And then I remember I have to bite first when I’m dealing with wolves or leopards. Lest they consume me whole.
“I’m pretty sure I asked what the hell you’re doing here.”
He watches me with an almost pleased expression, like my reaction is exactly what he expected. I hate that I’m playing into his hands.
“I wanted to have a conversation with you,” he says.
His voice is so deep, yet so soft at the same time. It wafts over me, settling within me in a way that has me shifting in my seat. I bet he could talk most women in dropping their panties without a second thought.
Hell, if I didn’t know exactly who he was, I could see myself being one of them.
“So you ambushed me at my hotel?”
“Which brings me to my next question, why have you been living here the last couple of weeks?”
My mouth opens and nothing comes out because I am truly flabbergasted.
Get a grip, Lindsay.
It’s embarrassing just how easily he’s been able to sweep the carpet from under me. I just truly wasn’t expecting this and I don’t know why. Of course he could find me here. They run this city. I can’t believe I lulled myself into a false sense of safety.
Reality crashes into me like a bucket of ice.
“I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” I seethe and then, mustering the last piece of dignity I’ve got, I get to my feet, pushing back the chair.
“Sit down,” he commands, his voice deceptively soft. The sound practically travels up my spine. “We haven’t even started yet.”
I take a second to look him in the eye, leaning closer as I say, “Go to hell, Vitale.”
Before I can take a step though, he clamps a hand around my wrist. My eyes widen and I try to wrench my hand back, but he doesn’t let go. While the pressure isn’t strong enough to be painful, I’m effectively pinned.
“Don’t cause a scene,” he warns, eyes flickering to a nearby table whose patrons are casting glances at us both. “If you draw any more attention to us, I’ll be forced to start acting like the bad guy you so desperately want to think I am.”
“You are a bad guy,” I say incredulously.
“No,” he intones. “I’m a businessman.”
My eyes roll and the levity with which he says that is almost humorous. If it were anyone else I might even crack a smile, but the man is holding me hostage so all he gets is a glare.
“Let me go,” I grit out.
“Will you sit down and listen?” he asks, still infuriatingly calm.
“Alright, fine,” I concede and he finally releases my wrist.
I wrap my other hand around it, rubbing softly like I can erase his touch on my skin.
“I already know what you’re here to say,” I state as I take my seat. “Make your threats, tell me you’ll kill me if I don’t drop the RICO case. Or that you’ll kill the people I love, blah blah. It’s how you people operate, isn’t it?”
He arches an unimpressed brow but doesn’t say anything.
“Let me make one thing clear, though,” I begin, leaning forward. “I am not going to drop the case, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it. I’m a Beaumont, I’m sure you’re familiar with that name. My father’s the mayor of this city and I recently learned he’s somewhat of a business partner to your family. I’m guessing harming his daughter would be bad for business. Not to mention my best friend is also a part of your family now. I’d wager she wouldn’t be happy if anything happened to me.”
“Fascinating,” he drawls. “You’d use her for protection while aiming a gun at her head.”
“It’s not at Valentina I’d be aiming the gun.”
