Page 80 of Dangerous Contract: Part 1

A few moments passed, and she thought he wasn’t going to reply. Finally, his message came through.

Orazio: I’m in a meeting. But it shouldn’t last much longer. I’ll have my brother meet you all in the front lobby and escort you to a private sitting area. I’m willing to allow your friends a chance to state their grievances. I fucked up, Rosa. And they have a right to vent their anger. I’m glad you have friends who are willing to do this for you.

Monique’s smile returned. Though she was sure he didn’t want to deal with her friends, he was willing to... for her. That strengthened her resolve to see this through. She would date Orazio because she wanted to. And no one else’s opinion mattered.

Monique: Thank you, Orazio.

Orazio: No thanks needed, my Rosa.

Swoon! She exited out of her messages and shoved her phone back into her purse. Some of her nervousness had dissipated after chatting with Orazio. Call her crazy, but she liked this feeling he brought over her.

She wasn’t ready to end it. She loved her friends. And she knew they only wanted the best for her. But they couldn’t feel the excitement flowing through her veins. Even if she tried to put it into words, it wouldn’t do this feeling justice.

All she could do was hope they eventually became okay with it. And if they didn’t, she hoped they still had her back, still loved her enough to allow her to bump her head again, if that was what ended up happening.

The fault would lie with her. Not them. The ride to the casino was a quiet and tense one. When they arrived, they let the valet park their car. Mind made up that she was keeping Orazio, Monique led the way into the casino as her friends followed, side-eyeing her the entire walk. The guards greeted them at the door as if they knew them.

“Hello, Ms. Monique,” a handsome guard greeted her. “Hi, Ms. Monique’s friends. Come this way, please.”

With a nod, Monique followed him. But she didn’t miss the conversation her friends were having behind her.

“She must’ve texted her kidnapper and told him we were coming,” Meka whispered.

“I know, right,” Toya agreed. “That guard is fine, though.”

“Focus, Toya!” Meka hissed.

“Alright. I’m just saying.”

Smiling, Monique followed the guard to the lobby, where another guy awaited them. Dressed in business casual, the man smiled at them. He resembled Orazio. This must be his brother.

“Hi, Monique Rose,” the man greeted her. “I’m Caspari Cattaneo.”

Yup. His brother. He took Monique’s hand and kissed the back of it. She held in her smile when he did the same to Toya. Toya smiled at the man, clearly enjoying the hand kiss. Meka, not so much. She snatched her hand from him before he could kiss it.

“Unsanitary!” she hissed with a roll of her eyes. “I don’t know where your mouth has been.”

Caspari didn’t lose his cool, and his smile didn’t waver. But his eyes did widen a fraction.

“Would you like to know where it wants to be?” he asked Meka in that smooth, deep voice of his.

“Around the barrel of my gun, I’m guessing. Am I right?” Meka asked.

“You’re wrong. But I like the way you think. What is your name, beautiful?”

“None of your concern, nosey. Where is your brother?”

“You can’t expect me to answer your question when you won’t even tell me your name,” Caspari stated.

Meka frowned. “Is this fun for you? Because it’s irritating me. Get your brother out here, now. Andyou, you stay away from me.”

“That’s going to be hard to do, love.”

“I’m not your love. And what’s going to be hard to do? Getting your brother out here?”

“No. Staying away from you.”

“I’m sure a restraining order will make it easier for you.”

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