Page 150 of The Devil's Fire

“I happen to be very fast on the trigger. Now, let me see it on you.” He took the necklace out of the jewelry box, and I pulled my hair to the side. I let out a breath when the cold diamonds touched my skin.

“Beautiful.” Damiano smiled, having me blush. He wasn’t even looking at the necklace.

Despite being scared to move, in case I would break it, I still went to the mirror to have a look. Damiano came to stand behind me, wrapping his arms around me as I continued to admire the incredible jewelry around my neck.

A fifty-million-dollar necklace.

Holy shit!

“I can’t...” I said breathlessly when I met his eyes in the mirror. It was too expensive, too elegant. It was just too much for someone like me to wear.

“You can, my love. It’s all yours.” Damiano kissed my neck, tracing a path up ear as he whispered. “Remember what I told you at the auction?”

As if I could forget.

forty-seven

Althaia

I could finally open the boutique after two days of being sick in bed. Of course Damiano wasn’t too happy about it, but guess who won that round?

Then he insisted on staying with me in the boutique, and that started another round of discussion. I couldn’t have him or my assigned bodyguards in the boutique because I knew they would make my customers feel uneasy. I had to remind him he looks scary as fuck to other people.

“Good.” He said.

“Good for you, but not for my business. Don’t you have a Mafia to run or something? Go do that so I can work in peace.” I told him.

That may or may not have resulted in him spanking my ass until it was as red as a cherry, saying I need to be fucked into obedience; a reminder that I was also dealing with a Mafia Boss.

Damiano chose to do some work, while Luca and Giovanni stayed close, but not too close to the boutique to not look shady. I promised I would call if I needed anything.

Luckily, today had been one of the slower days, so I could use the time to keep track of the inventory. As I was in the middle of scribbling down in the workbook, the door to the boutique opened.

“Hi and welcome! How can I help you?” I smiled at the couple, hoping I could help them as fast as possible so I could close. I was hungry and have been thinking about food for the past thirty minutes.

“I need a dress for her.” The man’s voice had a cold edge to it as he looked me up and down. The way he spoke sent a chill down my spine, and the coldness in his eyes made me uneasy, but I managed to keep a smile on my face.

“I can help with that. Anything particular in mind?” I turned to the woman with auburn hair that beautifully contrasted with her warm, ochre complexion.

“It needs to be long.” The man replied instead of her. I had to try my best not to frown at him.

“Of course.” I let out a forced smile and turned to the woman. “Do you know what size you are? If not, it’s fine! I can measure you.” I told her with a warm smile.

“Unfortunately, she’s a size six. Someone hasn’t been watching her diet and has gained weight.” He gave her a disapproving look, and I noticed a slight tremble in her hands until she clasped them together.

“A size six isn’t big. I would be concerned if she was smaller.” I couldn’t help but frown at him as I stared into his eyes. “Let’s go find you something, shall we?” I smiled at the woman and led her to the back of the boutique.

We had a spacious area in the back of the boutique for our customers to try on dresses, and their companions could relax in a comfortable waiting area with complimentary drinks.

I grabbed a few dresses I thought would look good on her and led her into the dressing room; the one furthest away from the shady scumbag as he took a seat on the couch.

“You shouldn’t have talked to him like that.” She whispered so quietly I almost missed it. I was getting a dress ready for her to try but stopped when she looked at me with wide eyes.

“Well, he was being disrespectful.” I whispered back. He was being more than that, but she already knew.

“He doesn’t like when women talk back.”

I wanted to scoff loudly, but she looked concerned for me, and her whole body was shaking.

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