Page 18 of Dark Mafia Vows

My breath leaves in a sharp woosh as he pushes himself off me. I suddenly feel cold from the lack of contact. A shiver wracks through me, but I refuse to cover myself from his gaze.

“Go home.”

A simple order, one that makes me want to do the opposite just because he tells me to.

But yeah, that would further prove to him that I’m stupid.

Huffing, I raise my head before looking at his face.

“Step away from my car, asshole,” I hiss. “If you think you’ve succeeded at intimidating me, think again. Unlike every other person you’ve come across, I don’t scare easily.”

And then his smirk returns. He takes a step back for me to pull open my door. When I get into the car and turn on the ignition, the annoying tilt is still on his lips.

I make a show by revving the car’s engine before finally pulling out onto the road. As I drive farther away from him, my hatred returns, burning hotter and brighter than before.

Nothing, not even a few heated touches and whispered words, can change the way I feel about him.

8

DARIO

I’m in a good mood today.

It’s one of those days when everything feels as if it’s falling perfectly into place. I’ve got exciting plans, and I can’t wait to see how they unfold. Today, I’ll be launching another phase of my revenge plan against Lorenzo. I like to think of him as a smart man, his ways unpredictable. But lately, he’s been making things little bit too easy.

Holding public meetings, like the one I’m driving to, is a risky move. Every businessman knows that. It’s a double-edged sword, and Lorenzo should know better. Maybe he thinks that addressing stakeholders and investors in such a public manner makes him seem trustworthy, transparent even. And for someone like him, that may work. He’s always had a silver tongue, even when we were younger. It’s what makes him such a good actor.

And a backstabber.

I’m almost insulted that he thinks this event will go off without a hitch. It’s as though he underestimates me. He knows I’m indirectly one of his creditors, and still, he chooses to hostthis press conference, exposing himself to scrutiny and potential backlash.

Bold move, Bianchi. Bold and stupid.

Then again, it appears stupidity runs in the blood. The memory of Ginny’s soft skin, the way our bodies pressed together, her sharp breaths and sharper tongue—it’s been haunting me. I can still smell her perfume, feel the silky texture of her hair slipping through my fingers.

Stop thinking about her.

I grit my teeth and force my focus back to the task at hand. The Skyline Events Center looms ahead, a massive structure. I pull into a spot near the entrance and retrieve a file from my briefcase before stepping out into the midday sun. The heat is oppressive, but I adjust my suit and make my way toward the entrance.

Photographers and reporters swarm the front door. The moment they spot me, the clicking and flashing increases. As usual, they keep a reasonable distance from me, and the reporters don’t shove cameras in my face and demand answers to their questions. The last man who did that...let’s just say the rest have gotten the message. Today, I don’t mind the attention. That’s exactly why I’m here—to stir the pot.

With a confident stride, I push through the doors. The meeting is already underway when I slip in, the murmurs of disgruntled creditors filling the room like a low hum. Journalists and photographers line the edges of the room, their devices flashing, microphones poised.

Lorenzo’s voice carries across the hall as he stands at the podium, his expression confident.

Perfect.I can’t wait to watch him crumble.

I position myself at the back of the large hall, barely noticed by any of the several businessmen and investors who are currently focused on Lorenzo.

“Ladies and gentlemen, once again, I thank you for joining me today.” He speaks into the small microphone on the podium. “I assure you, the Bianchi empire is far from collapsing. We are navigating through temporary challenges, and I urge you to dismiss any allegations of our impending bankruptcy.”

His voice is strong, his face is relaxed, and he pauses to scan the room, making eye contact with a few of the stakeholders. The man is a good actor, but his immaculate performance doesn’t fool me.

He gently adjusts his tie, a nervous habit I remember from years ago, before he resumes speaking again.

“Our recent setbacks, particularly with the Riverside project, were unfortunate but not unmanageable. We have already initiated legal proceedings against the contractors responsible for the substandard materials that led to the collapse. I have every confidence that we will recover our losses.”

I almost laugh. Legal proceedings, indeed. He can’t even afford the legal cost of such a rigorous lawsuit. Hell, he can’t afford a legal lawsuit againstme.

---