Page 30 of Empire of Temptation

I switched on the lamp beside me.

His head snapped up. When he saw me, the glass bottle in his hand hit the floor with a thunk. “Fuck!” he hissed. “Who the hell are you? How did you get into my house?”

I was calm and quiet, in control, seated in the armchair with a heavy golf club draped across my lap. “I suggest you lower your voice.” I rolled the driver in my fingers, twirling it. “And listen to every word I say.”

He folded his arms across his chest. “Who are you?”

“I’m a friend of Valentina’s. That is all you need to know.”

The mayor’s eyebrows flew up. “This is about Val?”

The fact that he used her nickname, as if they were close, caused a white-hot bolt of fury to rocket through me. “Signorina Montella to you, stronzo.”

“Listen, I don’t know who you think you are?—”

“I am the man telling you to stay the fuck away from her.”

He swallowed, but gathered his courage to say, “This is my town. You can’t tell me what to do. I’m the mayor.”

“I know who you are—you’re a man who preys on vulnerablewomen to get his dick wet. So listen up, because I’m only going to tell you this once.”

I rose slowly, my hand tightening on the club handle. Then, in one smooth and quick motion, I stepped forward and swung the club. It landed directly between the mayor’s legs—the wooden head smacking into his balls. Instantly, the mayor crumpled to the ground with a groan and a long curse.

Bending, I grabbed a fistful of his hair and pulled his face up to see mine. “Do not say her name. Do not stop by her restaurant. She does not exist for you. Am I making myself understood?”

The mayor’s face was pale, his eyes glazed with pain, but he was wise enough to nod.

Letting him go, I straightened and snapped the club in half, then threw the pieces on the carpet. “She doesn’t need any fucking permits. And she won’t pay any fines or suck your tiny pathetic dick. If you try that shit again, I’ll do more than break your balls. Capisce?”

I started for the front door. Just as I reached the hall, the mayor wheezed, “How did you . . . get past my alarm system?”

I snorted. Did he honestly think a cheap alarm system would stop someone like me? “I’m like a ghost. And I’m always watching.”

Without another word, I opened the front door and disappeared into the night.

Chapter Nine

Valentina

“Signorina,” Roberto said quietly after he pulled me aside. “I don’t like this.”

I looked around to see what was wrong. At the moment young men crowded the bar to order beers and well drinks, and my book club ladies were under control. For the first time in a few days, the trattoria had money coming in. “What is it? What’s the problem?”

“We are understaffed and I’m not sure letting in all these young men was wise. With everyone drinking and no food being served . . . ”

He trailed off, but I understood. And I didn’t mind. It was nice to have someone looking out for me and my friends. “It’s okay. We can order cars for anyone who seems intoxicated.”

Roberto’s face made it clear I had misunderstood. “These men are hanging around and waiting, and I am concerned about the reason for it.”

Ah. Now I got it. “Well, book club night has become a little bit of a pick-up spot in Paesano. There aren’t many in this town, so everyone has learned to make the most of it.”

“Mamma mia.” He dragged a hand down his face and muttered to himself in Italian.

“What did you say?” I asked.

“I wish I had hired more staff to help. I don’t like feeling responsible for you and your friends.”

“You’re not responsible. And I’ve known these guys my entire life. They’re harmless. Everyone will behave themselves.”

---