Page 17 of Destino

“Why did you ask to see me?” she asked.

“I enjoyed the show and wanted to know more.”

She smiled. “Oh. I see. You want to know more? Sorry, I don’t entertain strange men.”

Giovanni smiled. “Good. I’m not like those other men,” he said softly.

“That’s right your entourage is quite intimidating. Makes you important doesn’t it?” She asked the question with a sexy smirk. He couldn’t hide his approval in his smile. He studied her lovely face a moment before he answered.

“Am I?”

“Care to explain how you open doors closed to me in Italy and why?”

“No.”

“Oh, c’mon, give a girl a hint. Who are you? Why did Francesco scurry away when you found us in the hall?” she chuckled.

“I’m not sure what kind of explanation you need.”

“I’m new here,” she began. “I’ve heard things about the men of southern Italy. Good and bad. I’m just trying to understand why you look at me the way you do. Why you sent me flowers and summoned me? What is it you expect Signore Battaglia?”

“I’m a simple business man. I’m also a man.” He leaned forward keeping her within his gaze. “A man who knows what he likes. And I have to say Bella, I like you.”

The tense frozen smile on her face and shock in her stare pleased him. She was delicate, but there was fire there. He sensed it. He caught a hint of a smile form over her luscious lips. And suddenly the spell was broken. She collected herself and spoke to him in a direct challenging fashion. “I missed the Italian gangster movie genre, exactly how does this work? Am I supposed to fall to your feet and be flattered that you’re interested? Do I even have a say or will I be tossed in the Amalfi with bricks strapped to my feet if I reject whatever offer I’m sure you plan to make for helping me regain access to my building.”

“Gangster? You Americans and your imaginations. Just because I’m different than you doesn’t make ne nefarious.”

She blushed. She glanced to Renaldo who stood behind him and then lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry if I offended you.”

Giovanni chuckled. “Hardly. I do find it interesting that you feel the building is yours. It’s a lease no?”

“Yes, but our solicitor—.”

“It’s only a lease.” Giovanni said firmly.

Mira sat back. “What are you saying?”

“Protection, security, these are things you will need, Bella, so nothing unfortunate prevents you from conducting business in our lovely city. An investor like myself can prove to be quite useful.”

She paused at the sweet endearment, and he knew she understood whatbellameant.

“So your help comes at a price? You want in on my company. No. Absolutely not! This ends here. Do you understand? I want you to stop harassing me.”

“It was you who noticed me if I recall.”

“I didn’t.”

“As much as I would like to make this personal between you and I, we do have business. If you won’t accept my offer to invest, then here is the final deal. You can continue to lease the property with a modest fee for my inconvenience, and I will have full access to the canals beneath your building that run out to the Amalfi coastline. The doors to the cellars in your building will remain under lock and key at all times. Are we clear?”

She blinked at him, a bit thrown by his frankness.

Satisfied, he relaxed his posture. She however, didn’t. This one wasn’t prone to hysterics. Her silence was as much of a warning as the sharp tongue she used when she sat down. He really did find her appetizing.

“How long does this celebration of yours last? I’d like you to join me for a late dinner,” he said.

“No, thank you.”

“You enjoy rejecting me?” he asked amused.

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