It’s the only forever we will have.
So yes, another man is going to touch her, and I want to march back upstairs, throw her over my shoulder, and drive away from this evil world.
If Gianna knew the truth, she wouldn’t want me. That and Amy are the only things stopping me.
Perhaps it’s because she’s forbidden fruit.
Now?
Now I want her.
I was supposed to use Gianna Baldassare, that’s all. I wasn’t prepared to feel like this about her and crave her body like oxygen. Nor have to walk around her father’s house with a semi erection as I set up a fake human trafficking gig.
Yet here I am.
What a goddamn mess.
Amy, you better be alive!
When I reach the landing, two guards lead me through the house and out to the backyard where Salvatore and Frank are finishing up lunch.
“Have you eaten?” the don asks.
“Yes,” I reply.
Your daughter.
Salvatore and I acknowledge one another with a nod.
“Sit.” Frank points to a chair. “Tell me where we are at. Did you get hold of your contacts?”
“Yes. The time zones made it a little harder. But I may have a buyer.” I say, accepting the glass of water put in front of me by one of the Baldassare employees.
“Good,” Frank says.
“Who?” Salvatore asks.
We all know I’m not telling him that. Except, as Mack kindly pointed out, a gun is put to my head.
We’re not there yet.
Not even close—I hope—so I ignore him.
“You need to know this is my biggest client. Quality of the product is imperative. We are new partners,” I say instead of answering.
I let that hang as I sip my water and slowly place it back on the table.
Confidence is power.
I was always good at poker.
Hopefully now it will keep me alive and save Amy’s life.
“The risk is two-way,” Frank says, looking irritated, but the truth is if I was too eager, he’d be suspicious.
This is all a game.
All business is.