Page 57 of Bound to Him

“Right?”

“I’m glad he didn’t mention the girls. I would have had a difficult time showing interest in that particular business.”

“Yeah, no doubt he’s taking small steps. You intimidated him, which was perfect.”

He nodded with a smile. “He’s got nothing on us, Hux. We’ll take him down.” He grabbed my shoulder and hugged me. “We’ll rid this city of his vile ‘solutions to our problems,’ as he calls it.”

I held his arm and took a hold of his neck. “Thank you, brother. Thank you.”

Another nod. “Now, I have a meeting with the commissioner.”

26

Olivia

“Hey, sis, he’s here.” Viola let me know, peeping into my bedroom while I stood in front of the full-length mirror. “Wow, you look stunning!” She made her way inside and touched my dress, then wiped her thumb under my lip to fix my lipstick.

I sighed. “It’s just Murphy's law, isn’t it, that he would want to go on a datetonight.”

“I know,” she said flatly. “But don’t worry. You got this. Tony’s got guys in casual wear all over the place, too.”

“Really? Okay, great.” I breathed more easily and ran my hands down my dress. It was another halter neck with a high neckline—I refused to let Christian get any ideas from me showing my cleavage, which was more provocative than most. But the red and black patterned body was tight against my ribs and stomach, then flowed out to a wide skirt which collapsed into pretty ruffles at my knees and swayed with my every movement.

The last time I saw him, I kneed him in the fucking balls. I had to pretend I was trying to make up for that somehow while not looking too eager as to seem suspicious. It was a dangerous balance I was going for, and I hoped the dress would distract him at the least.

When I stepped down the stairs in my tall black heels with my clutch at my side, my father was standing in the lobby with Christian. Both smiled up at me—Christian with hungry excitement, and my father with a slightly sad but loving look.

“Amoré mio, have a wonderful time,” he said, kissed my cheek, and looked meaningfully into my eyes. This was his silent way of apologizing and making sure I was okay. I nodded, reassuring him.

“Thanks, Papà”

Now that I knew there was a plan in place, that I wouldn’t have to marry Christian, and that my father was okay with that, I felt strong. Knowing that if all went well, I’d be marrying Huxley was the fucking wind in my sails.

When Christian called and asked if he could see me tonight, I was filled with disgust and hatred. I hated him for everything he’d done, and I felt scared about what he might do to me, again. If he was so forceful last time, what would he do this time?

Hopefully not drink as much, I thought to myself, approaching him and taking in his tailored, checkered suit and perfectly styled graying hair. To a girl who didn’t know who he truly was, he would be a very handsome date.

“Absolutely breathtaking, as always.” Christian grinned with his arms open to me. I stepped forward and smiled, letting him kiss my cheek as well.

“Thank you, Christian. Shall we?”

He seemed only too eager to leave the house and helped me slide into the limo he’d arrived in.

“Champagne?” he offered immediately. I felt immensely uncomfortable now that I was alone with him, especially with him getting a head start on the drinks he was constantly offering me. I took this one to calm my nerves; at least I knew already that there would be a silver Honda trailing us and Romano men in casual wear at the restaurant.

“Thank you.”

“I’m glad you were able to join me tonight.”

“I don’t really have much choice between my father and you,” I said, smiling as though I was joking about the matter. I hoped he would take it as me coming to terms with my situation.

He laughed. “Ah, my darling. I love your fire.”

The restaurant he took me to was another rooftop affair with booth type lounges along the edge of the building. There were heaters scattered about, so at least I wasn’t freezing. When I glanced around, I recognized a handful of people there. Two of my distant uncles sat at the bar, my cousin, Callo, typed away on his laptop a few tables over, and my Aunt Julia joined her husband for a romantic dinner across the roof while he was keeping an eye on me as well. They were all part of the Romano family, but not very active within the organization on a daily basis. We couldn’t have Christian recognizing someone from the house or my father’s security crew.

“We’ll have my usual wine selection,” Christian spoke to the waiter without looking at him. “Make sure it’s no younger than ten years. And we’ll eat the chef’s special; tell him it's Reyes asking, okay?”

The waiter accepted that and disappeared. Christian sighed happily, leaning back against the cushioned booth and put his arm around my shoulders.

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