Page 1 of My Merciless Don

CHAPTER ONE

AUDRY

“Ten minutes to go.” Kylie's sultry voice in my ear was like a caress and if I didn't know that she was happily engaged, I’d think she was flirting.

“Why do we have to talk like we're Navy seals again?” I asked grinning like a mad woman, as I pretended to peruse the shelf of leaflets opposite the hotel reception.

“Shut up and go with it. He's coming down the stairs.”

“No elevator?”

“Apparently not.”

“What about the underboss?”

“Our interceptor is ready to go as soon as he steps foot in the lobby. That'll give you a window of maybe three minutes. Don't waste it.”

“Have I ever been known to waste a single minute?”

Kylie just snorted in my ear. It was a good thing that we were such good friends aside from her being my PA, because otherwise I would be obliged to fire her on the spot. My target, Marco Cassio of the Cassio Cosa Nostra crime family stepped into the lobby. I'd seen pictures of him, of course - Kylie is very thorough in her research - but whoa the man... clean took my breath away.

I mean, those shoulders alone should be illegal, and nobody would blame me if I just walked up to him and buried my head between his pecks. Furthermore, who really had that shoulder to chest ratio in real life? Movie stars maybe, not ordinary human beings with crime families to run. It was just so unfair, why did he have to look so good?

The black hair, black eyes, black suit really add to the air of danger about him, and weirdly enough, the scar on his face just enhanced the mystique instead of being off-putting.

Oh, I am going to enjoy this job.

“Stop salivating and get in position, Audry. Interceptor making contact… now,” Kylie interrupt my musings. With a sigh I begin walking towards the bar. Through the corner of my eye, I saw Dominic accost Marco and his bodyguard, his glasses askew and looking earnest.

“Mr. Cassio, I have a proposal for you, please read it,” he said loudly, thrusting a bunch of papers at the crime lord. Marco simply glanced at his underboss and walked away. Valerio Cassio, Marco’s brother and right-hand man, grabbed Dominic and began to drag him towards the exit of the hotel.

I crossed my fingers. It was sink or swim time. If Marco didn't go towards the bar, I would lose my window. I watched with relief as he strode across the room and into the bar. His appointment wasn't for another hour and a half. Kylie was currently in traffic, making sure his vehicle was delayed, and Dominic was making it very difficult for Valerio to let go of him, as he tried to convince him that his proposal was the best thing that could ever happen to Marco.

“He's really good at this,” I murmured to Kylie, impressed at the boy's commitment. We'd hired him from an improv group, told him it was an acting gig.

“The longer you can keep the bodyguard occupied the more you'll be paid.” I had told him. I could see he was going for gold.

Bravo, I thought as I sauntered towards the bar where I could see Marco ordering a drink. The bartender put the drink in front of him and I picked it up and drained it. “Hoo boy, I needed that.” I twirled around to face Marco with a grin, “Thanks for the drink.”

When I turned, he had been glaring but then his eyes widened and his jaw dropped, face paling as if he'd seen a ghost. “Amy?” He croaked in disbelief.

I stuck my hand out to be shaken, “Good guess, but actually, my name is Audry. Pleasure.”

He stared at my hand as if I had offered him a cancerous tumor to hold. Then he looked up at me. His face tilted to the side. Then he straightened up abruptly. “Apologies. I thought you were someone else.”

I smiled sultrily and took a step closer to him running my red polished nail down his lapel. “I'm up for a little role play if you like.” I grinned cheekily, biting my lower lip and winking.

To my surprise he recoiled, his face closing up. “No thanks,” he said coldly signaling to the waiter. My window was closing rapidly. His brother would be back at any moment.

I lean even closer to him, reaching for his chest, “Aw, you’re no fu-aaah!” I affected to trip, falling against him and letting him catch me with his body.

His strong arms closed around my waist. He picked me up - seemingly effortlessly - and put me away from him. I have to admit it made me a little breathless, the ease with which he did it. Mission accomplished though; it was time to get out of there.

“Sorry. I'm sorry.” I feigned embarrassment, shuffling my feet and then hurrying off. On the way I passed his underboss headed towards Marco.

Phew, cutting it rather close.

I opened my hand, looking down at the keycard nestled in my palm. A grin spread over my face, “The eagle has landed or whatever.” I said in my ear.

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