Page 32 of Devilish Prince

“Norm, please carry Dr. Carter to my bed.” I set my glass down and glance at hers. Having the rohypnol in the glass before she even came into the home was a fabulous idea, given to me by Norm. I’d just as soon have kept her tied to the chair and returned to fuck her every so often, but this way works too. It allows me to get a bit of work done this evening before turning in. She’ll be sleeping all day and likely through the night with that much in her system.

Norm glances at her clothing, but passes by it and lifts her up, dangling her over his shoulder. The brute of a man can heft her body with one arm and I have always been impressed. His barrel chest is the size of my dresser.

“Sir,” he nods, then vanishes into the hallway with her. I follow behind after pouring myself another drink. Sofia is a delicateflower, one that needs pruned and fertilized, but a flower all the same. How else could I describe the beauty of her benefit to my life against the backdrop of her stubborn streak? Soon enough those thorns will be plucked, however, and she will only bring good things.

We climb the stairs and turn down the hall. Norm flips on the light as he walks into my bedroom and with his free hand turns down the bed before dropping her onto the mattress. He covers her and she rolls to the side with a humph.

“I don’t get it, boss,” he says, standing over her. “There are hundreds of women who would die to be on your arm. Why this one? Why her?”

I chuckle and pull up the armchair that sits by the reading desk in the corner of my room. The deep green crushed velvet shimmers in the light as I sit down and relax with my drink.

“Well, Norman, when you’ve been around as long as I have, you begin to truly appreciate the finer things in life. One of those things is a woman who isn’t afraid to defy you.” I sip the glass and watch him squint his eyes in confusion.

“You want her to rebel?” He steps back, folding his hands in front of his waist.

“Tell me, Norman. If you had blind spots would you want someone to tell you about them?”

He glances at her and nods. “Yeah, of course.”

“And if you had weaknesses would you want someone to shore them up? Make it so that you are strong in every area. Someone you could trust because you had refined them and taught them how you prefer to be treated.”

“Yes, of course.”

I sip my drink more and sigh. We both watch her sleeping for the moment as I allow my questions to sink in through Norm’s thick skull. Some things should never need to be explained. When I select someone to join my family I don’t like being questioned. In this case, however, I can see why both he and my father would believe some other, more compliant woman may be better for me.

“Sofia adds something that only she can bring to the table. She resists bringing it because she values her morals over my propositions. But she’ll come around, just like every other person we’ve brought into this family. Now, if you would, tell my father I’ll see him now.”

Norm nods and walks out, leaving me to finish my drink and watch my blushing bride to be. She snores lightly, hugging the blanket tightly to her chest. This little pawn is now in position to take the king and the one in one thousand chance of that happening is now guaranteed. Sofia only has to say I do at the altar I’ve prepared for her and this entire kingdom is hers—checkmate.

“Ah, I see you have a prize… Sleeping beauty is it?” Dad struts into the room puffing on a cigar and I finish the drink in my hand then stand and set the empty glass on my dresser.

“Sleeping beauty indeed. Sofia is a handful, but nothing a little magic can’t handle.” The scent of his tobacco smoke filters through air and its sweet pungent aroma meets my nostrils. “We’ll be wed before month’s end now. The plans are set.”

“Good…” He nods and sucks on his cigar. “The invitations are sent then?”

“In the mail… And when the guests see what a magnificent bride I have, they’ll surely praise the day you conceived me.”

Dad chuckles and then his expression grows serious. “It isn’t enough, son, for her to be on your arm at events. We must make them see you hold the power of even the most prominent hospital in the country. Right now, you control the strings behind the scenes. Dr. Kline cowers in fear of you. But when you wed Ms. Carter your authority is cemented. Do you understand that?

“Ambulances will be sent when you say they will. Surgeries performed only when you allow. Your enemies will grow sicker, your allies will have the best healthcare available. And you, my boy, will own the city. I built this organization to where it is. We own the markets, the streets, and even the police. But you are taking this to the next level. People will not breathe without your consent.” His mordant smile amuses me.

“Yes, well one thing at a time. An empire isn’t built in a day, and first we have to make Sofia Mrs. Lorenzo Gatti.”

Then, we’ll make power moves in this city the likes of which all of our enemies will be awestruck over. And when they need something—anything—they will be forced to bow before King Lorenzo.

21

SOFIA

Aloud noise wakes me with a start. I open my eyes to blackness. It’s night, and I have no idea where I am. Someone is thumping around in the room, and I feel disoriented and scared. This isn’t my bed. I don’t have silk sheets. And it smells like a man, not the familiar lavender fragrance of my calming spray I use at night.

I lay perfectly still and listen to the noises. It’s a man, and it sounds like he’s undressing. Fabric rustles, then I hear a zipper. He grunts and mutters something under his breath. His words and slurred too. It’s Lorenzo. I can tell by his voice.

I pinch my eyes shut as it all floods back to me. The sex in his living room, tied over the chair, the way he gave me a drink which he openly confessed to having put rohypnol in. The sick bastard drugged me to knock me out. I wonder how long I’ve been sleeping. I turn slowly to look for an alarm, but there isn’t one. No way to see what time it is even.

He stumbles into another room and the light that pours out into the darkness is almost blinding. It takes a second for my eyes to adjust to it and I see his naked ass as he vanishes around thecorner into the room. As I sit up the cool air wafts across my skin and I realize I’m naked too. They didn’t even have the decency to put my clothes back on after I passed out. God I hate them.

I need to get out of here, to find my clothes and phone, then get Calvin and get out. If my damn car was fixed I’d have driven here and I’d have a way out, but after that carjacking I haven’t had the money to repair it. It’s at some damn garage, wherever they towed it, and I’m stuck with no transportation. But Lorenzo has to have a car. I’ll just have to find the keys.

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