Page 29 of A Beautiful Crime

“And here I am. It’s been a long time hasn’t it, Savio?”

Luca, who stands besides him clears his throat, but Savio holds his hand up in dismissal. I smirk at Luca and he grits his teeth.

After all, the fucker should be happy enough I am not addressing him as the bastard he is.

“Si,” he easily agrees. “I am sorry I couldn’t make it to the gala last night. Business,” he explains as his excuse. In truth the only business he had last night was offering his only daughter on a silver platter to me.

“Speaking of business I have come to a decision.”

He perks up. “You have?”

I nod my head. “But I do have conditions.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t expect any less,” he pauses, glancing between Pietro and I, “Shall we discuss this in my office? Luca will join us.”

Pietro who still sits upon the arm of the sofa scoffs. His actions show a sign of disrespect to Savio and I have no intention of correcting him.

I raise my brow coolly. “If Luca is joining us then I see no problem with Pietro doing the same.”

Savio clears his throat. “Luca is of higher rank than a mere soldier, Constantine.”

“And thismere soldierkeeps me alive. I trust him more than I trust the both of you, which is why he will join us in this meeting. If there is a problem with that then I will leave and the business between us will be lost,” I say firmly.

Savio takes it in stride but I can see by the tension in his shoulders that I have ruffled his feathers. He’s a Don, he’s not used to being dictated.

He nods his head stiffly as a strained smile adorns his face. “Si, if you’ll follow me we will go over your conditions and come to an agreement.”

At that I stop him right there. “If my conditions aren’t met, Savio, I will not agree to marry Carina. Capisce?”

He agrees through terse lips, “Capisce.”

Signaling Pietro to follow behind me I nod my head. We then follow Savio and Luca throughout their home to his office.

His home feels more of a museum. All with the paintings and sculptures imported from Italy and the gold trims and finishings. There’s nothing here that signifies a touch of their personalities. It screams luxury and wealth. Power. All of which Savio has so little of.

Savio enters his office first followed by his son and then me. Pietro stands by the closed door with his hand cautiously on his gun strapped to his waist.

Luca raises his brow at me and I level him with a lethal stare. He doesn’t say anything as he stands by his papa who is seated behind his desk.

Savio folds his hands and places them on the desk. “So, what are your conditions?”

Great, straight to business.

I actually appreciate the cutting of pleasantries.

I take a seat, but before I do I unbutton my suit jacket. I lean back causally with my ankle propped against my opposite leg.

Luca sneers at the sight of blatant disrespect, I however revel in it.

“As you know the media loves me,” I begin.

However I’m rudely interrupted with a snide comment under Luca’s breath. “Or hates you.”

Savio holds his hand up and Luca stands there simmering. Pietro snorts.

“As you were saying,” Savio says for me to continue.

“The media would have known if I had a fiancé. I would’ve announced it. And thanks to the paper today no one will believe that Carina and I were ever a couple to begin with.”

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