Page 18 of Vincenzo
When researching Amalia’s history, I noted her parents were killed in a gang shooting ten years ago, which puts her at the age of fourteen when it all happened.
Young.
Too damn young to lose your parents.
Ignoring the strong feelings of empathy, I change the topic back to the real issue. “Why the fuck are you still here?”
“You think I’d let your threat scare me off? Please,” she scoffs. “I’ve dealt with far worse than you.”
I close the distance between us in two long strides, forcing her to crane her neck to keep eye contact with me. You’d think I’d keep a safe distance from her when she still has that knife in her hand, but I don’t give a fuck.
“I can promise you haven’t dealt withanyonelike me,” I say, my voice deadly controlled.
She narrows her gaze on me, looking deep into my eyes as if she’s studying me. “There must be something the Velascos can offer in return for port access. Name whatever it is, and it’s yours.”
Being so close, I take a moment to study her features, andman, she really is fucking beautiful. If she were any otherwoman, I’d take her right here, right now in my office, but, unfortunately, she’s not. She’s the enemy. The woman who threatened my family. A low-life sex trafficker. And I can’t have that.
“There’s nothing we need from people like you.”
I remember catching the smallest clench of her jaw when I called her a sex trafficker the other night. It’s as if she took offense to it, wincing at my words, and tonight, I catch her doing the same thing.
“There must be something,” she grinds out, and I laugh at the desperation in her tone.
Taking a step back, I rake my gaze down her body, appreciating her tight leather pants that mold to her delicate curves, her black lace top that showcases her perky as fuck tits, and her red thigh-high boots that match her lips.
Amalia lets out a humorous scoff and shoves her knife into the top of her boots.I fucking knew it.
“You say you don’t fuck around with people like me,” she says, crossing her arms in front of her chest, causing her tits to rise up even more, “yet you can’t help but blatantly check me out anytime we’re in the same room.” She raises a cocky brow at me.
I give her a low chuckle and shove my hands in my pocket.
“And don’t even get me started on that possessive look of desire that seeps into your eyes whenever we’re around each other. Doesn’t really screamyou don’t fuck around with people like me.”
I give her another deep chuckle. “Well, it looks like you have me all figured out, then.”
Narrowing her gaze on mine, Amalia says, “Not quite yet, but I’m getting there.”
I let out an exasperated sigh. “Look, do I find you physically attractive? Of course. What man wouldn’t? It’s human fucking nature, sweetheart. I have eyes, but don’t make it something itnever would be, because my level of interest in a person like you, even if it is just to fuck, is nonexistent.”
My words are harsh, and my condescending tone only makes them worse, but I don’t like being called out on something I can’t help. Amalia is fucking gorgeous, and her prickly attitude is enamoring, but there’s nothing I can do about that. Even if my body tells me otherwise.
“I want to meet with your brother,” she says. “Theactualboss.”
I throw my head back in a fit of laughter. “So youaretrying to get yourself killed here, huh?”
She stares at me while I continue to bark out a laugh. “You’re incredibly obnoxious,” she says.
I stop laughing, and my tone gets serious. “And you’re incredibly stupid if you think you’d survive a meeting with my brother.”
“You clearly don’t know what I’m capable of.”
“And you clearly don’t know whatI’mcapable of.” I release a scoff and shake my head. “You should be thanking me that you haven’t met Teo yet.”
“And why’s that?” she asks with a quirk in her brow.
“You would already be six feet under if you had.”
She crinkles her brow. “Because I merely suggested an alliance with a powerful cartel?”
