Page 119 of Dangerous Contract: Part 1

“Because your happiness is serious business to me.” Raz started to say more, but his phone rang.

Sighing, he pulled his phone out and answered. It was the manager at the next stop on their agenda, letting him know she’d closed the shop for him and Monique. Whenever he was ready, they’d have the boutique to themselves. He thanked her before ending the call.

“We’re going somewhere else?” Monique asked.

“Yes. I told you I have the entire day planned for us. Are you ready to leave, or do you want to look around some more? We don’t have to rush out. We can stay here longer.”

“I’m ready. I’m eager to see what else you have planned. So far, I’m impressed, Mr. Cattaneo.”

“Thank you, Ms. Rose.”

Grasping her hand, Raz led her out of the aquarium. He’d made her breakfast to show her that he could take care of her. He’d taken her to his aquarium to give her a glimpse of a different side of him, a side that had nothing to do with his family.

He wanted her to see that the casino and the darker elements of his life weren’t all there was to him. The plan was to show her that if, one day, he had to turn his back on his family businesses to protect her, he’d still have his own businesses and money to provide for them.

And now, it was time to prepare for their date night. He had more surprises in store for his Rosa. What he didn’t know at the time was that his Rosa had a surprise in store for him also. A surprise he’d never forget.

Chapter Twenty-Five

ORAZIO

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Orazio’s sleek black car pulled up in front of an exclusive boutique in Biloxi’s most upscale district. The sun reflected off his tinted windows as he stepped out, strode to the other side of the car, and opened the passenger door.

As he extended his hand to help Monique out, he told her, “Let’s find you a dress fit for a queen.”

Taking his hand, she stepped from the vehicle, gaze drawn to the high heels in the store window. Fingers intertwined, they walked into the boutique. He nodded to the manager when they entered the store.

Inside, Orazio’s gaze followed Monique as she wandered between racks of gowns, her fingers brushing the silky fabrics. A sales assistant approached him, her smile a bit too wide as she leaned in, invading his personal space.

A cloud of perfume accompanied her, nearly choking him. He swallowed to keep from coughing as he took a step away from her. Apparently, she didn’t notice it.

“Can I help you find something for your...friend?” she asked, voice dripping with insinuation and an invitation. Both were an insult to Raz.

“Actually,” Orazio replied coolly, his eyes never straying from Monique. “You can direct all your questions to myfiance. I’m just here to pay for whatever she wants.”

The assistant’s smile faltered briefly before widening once more.

“How can I put this nicely?” the blonde started, eyes on Monique, who was busy looking at dresses. “We don’t usually cater to women her size. So, there aren’t many dresses here she’d look good in.”

This bitch!Clutching his hands into fists, he reminded himself that he didn’t hurt women as he glared at the sales assistant. She’d wanted his attention. Now, she had it. The look on his face silenced her.

Raz tore his gaze from the blonde and motioned for the store manager to come over. The blonde saw this and started to walk away.

“Don’t move,” Orazio ordered, gaze drifting to Monique to ensure she was still preoccupied with pretty dresses. She was.

“I-I have work to d-do,” the assistant stuttered, staring down at her nails.

“How can I put this nicely?” Orazio told her. “This store doesn’t allow people like you to work here.”

The woman looked up at him, shocked eyes brimming with unshed tears. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said what I said.”

“You’re right. You shouldn’t have said it. And you’ll never speak like that about anyone in this store again.”

When the manager arrived, Raz told her what had just happened.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Cattaneo. I’ll take care of it.”

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