Page 47 of Her Dark Salvation

“I’ve mentioned another party is interested in the property?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t think the drop in my liquidity right before I’m about to make this purchase is a coincidence.”

“You think this other party is somehow behind the leak,” I said with no small amount of skepticism. “That they’re trying to sabotage your purchase.”

“I think it’s a strong possibility.”

“But it would take months, a year even, to create a drain like this. And that’s if there really is a drain.”

“The property went up for sale nine months ago. I’ve been in talks with city hall for almost that long.”

“But why? Why would someone go to those lengths to prevent you from buying a piece of property?”

“To get a foothold in the financial district. To preventmefrom getting a foothold in the financial district.”

I frowned. Was that what this was about? Gang territories?

At every turn, new evidence pointed to Mr. DeVita being entangled in Mafia affairs, and at every turn, I found rationalizations to explain them away. Mr. DeVita was hinting at territory expansion, and there I was trying to convince myself he must be referring to wine bars and fine dining.

“I’m not going to lie. This is going to be tight. And you’re right—it wouldn’t be if your European office was performing. But I’ll dig in this afternoon and email you as soon as I know for sure.”

His jaw muscle ticked as if he chewed on my words, and the downturn of his tight mouth told me he didn’t like their taste. “Rome and Sicily should be doing better than Montreal and Vancouver.” His voice rumbled with frustration. “We need to find the leak.”

“Numbers don’t lie. If there’s a leak, we’ll find it.”

His eyes darkened, and he ground his fist into the edge of my desk, knuckles white from the pressure. “I want to know who.”

Passion simmered just below the surface of Mr. DeVita’s steely veneer, and for the first time, he allowed it to break free in my presence. He was angry, that much was certain. But it wasn’t just anger coming across in his flared nostrils and flashing eyes. It was hurt. He felt betrayed.

This time, I held his eyes, determined to give him the support he needed. “I’ll find the leak,” I said. “I promise.”

His fist unclenched, and his jaw relaxed, my promise easing the tension holding his body taut. And just as quickly as it had vanished, his mask of control snapped back into place. “I’ll be out the rest of the day. Off-site meetings. You have my number if you need me.”

“Okay.”

“I know you have a lot on your plate with the permits and the model, but I could use your help with one other thing. If you’re up for it?”

“Mr. DeVita! Are youaskingme for help?” I feigned shock and hoped the gentle teasing would lighten his mood.

His lips twitched, and he raised an eyebrow. “I’m hosting a charity gala here at Terme. Not this weekend, but the next. Before this arrangement, Diane was helping Siobhán with preparations. It slipped my mind, but Siobhán asked if you’re available.”

“What do you need me to do?”

“Call Siobhán.” He pulled on his coat and stepped toward the elevator. “She’ll let you know what she needs.”

“Will do.

“Oh. I almost forgot.” He walked over and placed one hand on the back of my chair and one on the edge of my desk. His big body hovered over mine, and his dark eyes simmered with intent. “I am the management, and you don’t have a case.”

I licked my lips, my body held captive by his hungry gaze. “I don’t?”

“No.” He lowered his eyes to my chest, and when he looked back up, they burned with desire. “Not when your nipples harden every time I look at your chest.” He brought his lips to my ear, so close they tickled its ridge and made me shiver with lust. “Like they’re straining for my mouth.”

I gasped on an intake and held on to the air like it was my last breath.

He lingered a moment, letting his warm breath caress my ear in a sultry promise I desperately wanted him to keep. Then, he pushed off the chairback and desk, his long legs carrying him across the foyer and onto the elevator. The doors swooshed shut.

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