Page 21 of Contracted

“Congrats sis, you’re a star.”

She blinked, her eyes tellingly wet. “That means a lot coming from you.”

Salvatore strode over, wrapping his arms around her from behind and kissing the top of her head. “Even better, you’re my shining star.”

She giggled, her eyes turning dewy. “You’ve always believed in me.”

“Always and forever,” he murmured throatily.

A lump formed in my throat at their obvious love and devotion. It seemed when the mafia men fell for a woman, they fell hard.

More fans approached and we said goodbye before walking back toward the foyer. Though most of the crowd had dispersed, there were some diehard fans hanging around, hoping for a glimpse of the actors.

I didn’t take notice of any of them. I took even less when Serafino leaned close and said, “I believe we have some unfinished business to complete on my balcony.”

My vision narrowed to just him while everything within me clenched. With just a few words he’d put me back into an immediate state of need. But then, even when my attention had been on the stage I’d been conscious of him.

“I believe so,” I said huskily, my skin prickling and my nipples little hard points. I could only imagine how hard his dick must be.

I’d find out soon enough.

We were halfway through the foyer when my former client hurried over. His face was flushed, his eyes glittering. “I’m so glad I caught you before you left!”

I glanced past him, but his ‘date’ was nowhere to be seen. I didn’t doubt for a second she’d left him after what she’d learned. It’d been more than obvious he was interested in being my client again. “Charlie, what is it?”

He glanced a little nervously at Serafino before Charlie refocused on me and blurted, “Who do I call now to make a booking with you?”

I wilted, my breath hissing from my lungs like deflating balloons as Serafino stiffened beside me. Didn’t Charlie realize who I was with? Or was he just plain stupid and thinking with his little head instead of his big one?

Neither of the men knew I was retiring, and I wanted to keep it that way. I reached into my clutch bag and withdrew a business card. I’d borrow some of Isabella’s acting skills and pretend I’d still be a call girl in the weeks to come. “Call Sinead.”

Serafino growled low in his throat. “You’re not fucking serious?”

I looked up at him with a frown. “Last I checked you didn’t have exclusive rights.”

“And if I wanted to arrange that?”

I handed him another of my business cards—not that he needed one when he owned the damn agency—ignoring the yearning piercing through me from the inside out. I couldn’t want him to arrange that, not ever. Because wanting him to want me would only lead to a broken heart.

His nostrils flared, his hard stare moving to Charlie. “Don’t bother booking. She’s mine.”

I narrowed my eyes. Serafino would not control me. I’d fought hard for my freedom, my independence. “That’s for Sinead to decide.”

He turned to me. “The same madam who is on my payroll?”

I sucked a breath in through my teeth. “You can’t buy everything and everyone.”

“But I can buy you.”

It shouldn’t hurt to hear him say that, but it did. And didn’t that make me all kinds of a fool. He might want to own me, but he didn’t want me as his equal. He’d conquer me, then he’d move on.

I arched a brow, hiding my hurt by turning his opinion of me back on him. “I’m always available. For a price.”

Charlie sniggered. “Then I’ll be seeing you soon, sweetheart.”

Serafino seemed to grow bigger, more menacing. “She is not, nor will she ever be your sweetheart.”

Charlie flushed, clearly intimidated but standing his ground. “I’m a client, you can’t—“

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