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“Yes. Our intel drove her into my path. Now, I intend to make her my wife.”
“Isn’t it risky to bring in your enemy’s daughter?”
“We live on the edge of risk every single day. I’m only adding permanent investment to my future.”
“Then I hope that your investment grows into a large family.”
I cracked a smile as I put my hands behind my head. “I can only hope,” I sighed.
His phone beeped with a notification. “Giovanni, you have a flight to catch in an hour.”
“It’s my plane. It can wait.” There were a few matters that needed handling for my future wife. I opened my laptop and looked up wedding gifts for my bride. She deserved the best. I looked up at my underboss. “While I’m gone, I want eyes on the Rosetti estate. Make sure that the daughter stays in the home. Let me know if that changes. If she leaves, I want eyes on her every single movement.”
“Yes, Giovanni. We’ll have her completely protected from everyone, including herself.”
“Good.” I closed my laptop and then headed out of my office. As much as I ached to cancel this meeting in Italy, I shouldn’t. Securing and maintaining my stronghold was a must.
My flight arrived with much fanfare welcoming me. At the front stood a woman in her twenties in a skirt suit, the top unbuttoned in an unseemly manner.
“Welcome, Mr. Lupo,” the woman said, approaching me and sliding her hand around the crook of my arm, her upper body brushing my side. “I hadn’t expected this treatment from your boss,” I said, knowing she’d misunderstand my meaning. Her smile lingered as long as her hand did on my arm. Rage burned from her audacity. The thought of another woman touching me sent me into venomous anger that I couldn’t contain for much longer.
“Well, Mr. Lupo, your family has been our ally for years. He’d do anything to please you,” the woman purred. I ripped my arm from her grip. She gasped, face fraught with shock like she’d never been refused before.
“I’d appreciate not being touched by thirsty, predatory women.”
“I … I…I didn’t mean anything by it,” she stammered, attempting to save face.
“I’ll go in the other car. Mario, ride with her.” I looked back at her. “Keep your hands to yourself.”
She huffed and stomped her foot.
“Do you have a problem, Miss?”
“No, no.”
“Then shall we go?” Marco told her, pointing to the vehicle. I traveled in the second car with my soldier, Enzo, and as Pio approached, I said, “Rent a vehicle. I don’t trust our host.”
“Understood.”
I just wanted some peace, but this visit started off like shit. As soon as we entered the villa, we were greeted by Don Castellano. “Thank you for coming to my home. I’ve gotten a bit old, and these trips don’t help my old bones.”
“Certainly.”
His eyes narrowed when the flirt came out of the other car. “Why was my granddaughter not in the same car?”
I didn’t need to justify my decisions. Still, I drew a line in the sand. “I have a fiancée back home, and I refuse to give her the wrong impression.”
“Understandable. Come, we’ll handle business between just us men.” He looked over my shoulder and addressed her. “Connie, we’ll see you at dinner.”
“Okay,” she whispered, ducking her head.
A sinking feeling sat in the pit of my stomach; this was meant to be more than a business deal. He wanted a family tie included, but that wasn’t in the cards. If he pushed, I was out.
By the time dinner was half over, I had my answer. He sent that viper to attack, and then he dared to remind me that there were better choices if I had gotten more acquainted with his granddaughter. I sent a text to Pio to prepare the car. He replied, Yes, Boss.
Tucking my phone inside my jacket pocket, I pushed my chair back and stood.
“I made myself clear the first time. Thank you for the offer, but all deals are dead between us. You can forget the trade routes and dock deal.” I tossed my napkin onto the table and then walked away, summoning my men as I left their dining room.
