Page 9 of Brutal Don

“Close?” Dante laughed. “All my old man ever cared about was preserving the family legacy. He’d been grooming me to take over the family business ever since I could walk and talk, but he’d always been cold toward me and my brother.”

“Do you miss him? I know what loss feels like as well,” she murmured.

This was absurd. They were acting like they were on a date but Cara understood the stakes. She kept telling herself she was just playing the role of Dante’s interested date, but part of her wanted to know more about him.

“I do miss him. My father had a terrifying presence. With him around, our enemies wouldn’t dare pull any shit.” Dante paused, as if he said too much. “I understand you’ve lost your father as well.”

“I did. He was the only family I had left. I miss him every single day.” Her voice cracked and Cara disliked herself for showing this man even the tiniest hint of vulnerability.

Dante trailed his fingers up her left knee, as if providing her some twisted form of reassurance. He paused, as if waiting for her reaction.

His behavior so far with her had been completely at odds with how the press painted him. They called him savage, an uncivilized monster in a suit. So far, he hadn’t taken advantage of her. Maybe he was the kind of predator who liked to wait, or perhaps the press didn’t know him at all.

“Do you find my touch repulsive?” he asked her.

“It frightens me to say it doesn’t,” she whispered. “I shouldn’t be attracted to you at all.”

“That admission pleases me.” Dante rose to his feet. Her heart was in her throat but Dante only tucked a wayward strand of her hair behind one ear. “Thank you for having dinner with me this evening.”

Dante stepped away, leaving her confused.

“Wait. That’s it?” she asked him, stunned. Was Dante really going to just walk away?

Dante raised one scarred eyebrow. “Were you expecting more?”

“This morning you mentioned—” Cara couldn’t bring herself to say the words, to admit that she was just a little bit curious to find out how his kisses would taste, how his touches … Cara better not go there.

“I did have intentions this evening but I changed my mind,” Dante answered. “Don’t misunderstand. My interest in you hasn’t waned one bit, but I want you willing, Cara.”

“Go fuck yourself,” she whispered.

Dante loosened his tie and made his way to the bedroom. He wanted to shower before bed. “You’ll come to me soon enough.”

Chapter Five

Cara poured herself another glass of wine. She could hear Dante in his private bathroom, showering.

She didn’t know what to make of tonight. Dante certainly seemed keen on playing mind games with her, which only took her irritation with him up a notch.

He could also be genuine, a small voice inside her said. Cara barked a laugh. It was absurd to think Dante felt anything for her. After all, wasn’t Cara just a prize, a bargaining chip to him? Still, it bothered her that he hadn’t made any intimate moves toward her. Cara eyed the front door again. Dante’s guards were probably still out there. She mulled over what he told her tonight.

Ted.He was the real reason she was here. Cara thought she had seen him at the auction. Who knew he was the nephew of some crime boss? If Ted bought her instead of Dante, she doubted she would be in one piece right now. Just the thought of being under Ted’s control and mercy made her shudder. She always knew he was a creep, always figured she could just ignore him and he would move on. How did everything go wrong so fast? Cara only wanted to pay her father’s debts, to be left alone.

Cara didn’t see herself as remarkable or beautiful, just normal. How did she wind up in this situation? Cara caught the attention of two monsters. She was just lucky that Dante managed to outbid Ted. Cara might regret those thoughts in the future, but for now, she was as safe as her situation allowed.

Dante emerged from his room, only wearing an old pair of sweatpants. A towel hung over his shoulders, and his hair was still damp. Cara eyed his six-pack abs and the lines of firm muscle over his chest and arms, then gulped. Maybe Dante changed his mind about sex after all.

“You can have my room tonight. I’ll sleep on the couch,” Dante said. His offer took her by surprise.

“What? That’s not necessary. It’s your room after all.” Why was Cara fumbling with her words like a nervous schoolgirl?

“The other alternative is to sleep together on the same bed. Don’t worry, I’ll keep my hands to myself,” Dante said.

The obvious challenge in his eyes and the lofty tone he used exasperated Cara.

“Why not? Seems like a reasonable arrangement.” Cara regretted her response immediately but it was too late to take it back now.

“I’m going to take a shower,” she announced.

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