Page 34 of Plus-Size Bratva Possession
I swallowed hard. “Thanks.”
The air between us felt charged, heavy. I needed to break this spell before I lost what little self-control I had left.
“Well, I should really get going,” I said, taking another step toward the door. “Let you get back to your very important business calls.”
“Elena,” he said, my name almost a sigh on his lips.
I paused, hand on the doorknob, not trusting myself to look back at him. “Yes?”
“Next time you want to see where I work, just ask. I'd be happy to show you around.”
There was an invitation in his voice, a genuine kind, that made me turn back to him.
“Where's the fun in that?” I asked, trying for lightness but hearing the breathiness in my own voice.
His eyes darkened. “Oh, I can think of plenty of ways to make it fun.”
The innuendo hung between us, and my body flushed hot all over again. This was dangerous territory.
“I'll keep that in mind,” I managed, and slipped out the door before I could do something truly reckless—like cross the room and find out if his lips tasted as good as they looked.
Chapter 12 - Gastone
I wrapped up the meeting with the insufferable Colombians and watched them walk out of my office. My next call was to my secretary, who informed me I had the rest of the day free, but had a scheduled dinner with the Caponis tonight. The Caponis had been our allies for years, and I looked forward to all the intel they were bringing tonight on a common enemy we share.
Finding myself free, I decided to call Elena. Knowing her, I knew she would be out for the day. That woman hasn't spent a day indoors since we struck a deal for her freedom. I didn’t deny her this pleasure, for I truly felt her to be happier. She had an extra spring in her step, a perpetual smile on her face, and an optimism in her world-view, and I found these changes refreshing.
She almost made me forget all the troubles I had on the work front. When I was around her, nothing felt that urgent, that dire, that insurmountable.
The call went unanswered, and with a frown, I dialled Dom. If she was out, I knew Dom would be at her heels.
“Don’t worry, boss,” he told me after hearing about my predicament. “She's just out shopping. Fifth Avenue boutiques. Been at it for a couple of hours now.”
The tension eased from my shoulders. She was out and busy, as I expected, and there was nothing for me to worry about.
“You sound bored, Dom,” I said, noting the flatness in his tone.
“Just doing my job, sir.” He paused. “Though I could be more useful elsewhere. The shipment from Naples needs supervision since Mr. Carlo can't be there.”
I considered this for a moment. Dom was right—he was wasted following Elena around while she tried on clothes. And with the day being slow at the office, I had found my mind drifting to thoughts of her more often than I cared to admit.
A wild idea crossed my mind, and I grinned. I thought back to last week, how she’d taken me by surprise when she’d walked into my office uninvited and unannounced.
“I'll take it from here,” I decided. “Text me her exact location. Go handle the shipment.”
“You sure, boss? Mrs. Ajello is...”
“A handful? Believe me, I know.” I ran a hand through my hair, already anticipating the headache Elena would give me. “I need a change of scenery anyway. These Colombians drove me crazy with their demands.”
“Alright,” Dom sounded reluctant. “If you say so.”
“I insist.”
***
Fifteen minutes later, I walked into an upscale boutique that Dom told me I’d find her in. Immediately on entering, an assistant made way for me. I waved her off, choosing to make my presence a surprise. The boutique smelled like the fresh ocean; every inch of it made for an elite clientele. It was clear that Elena liked expensive things, as long as I wasn’t the one buying them for her. I smiled when I thought back to the day at the jewellery store, how adamant she’d been in her stance.
I walked through the store but couldn’t see her anywhere. Had she moved on? Gone somewhere else? I had half the mind to step out and hunt through the surrounding stores when I thought better of it. With a sheepish expression, I made way to the assistant who had first offered her help to ask if she’d seen my wife.
