Then Dante finally saw her—a slender wraith with pale skin and dark curls. Tears streamed down her light-blue eyes as Security led her to the auction block. They dressed her in a skimpy and nearly see-through light-blue slip that hid nothing from the imagination.
Dante only had eyes for her curves, the tempting swell of her small breasts, and the damp spot between her thighs. She was a fighter, too, kicking and yelling threats until they had to gag her.
Dante stopped looking at his phone. He stared, mesmerized at this ethereal beauty, this woman whose tears only brought out the worst of this brutal audience. They were all animals here and she seemed to know it. She sunk to her knees and bowed her head, refusing to look at anyone. Her captor dabbed at the tears from her cheeks using a handkerchief.
She was innocence and grace personified, and Dante knew he had to claim her as a prize. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Luigi’s nephew seemed to want her badly.
“Let the bidding begin,” the auctioneer announced.
Luigi’s nephew was the first to shout an outrageous number. The woman locked eyes with Luigi’s nephew. The shock reflected in her eyes told Dante she knew Luigi’s nephew.
This was personal and that intrigued him even more. Dante hung back. He would only start bidding against the Gambinos when he felt the auction was drawing to a close.
“Half a million,”Luigi’s nephew yelled out. Sweat gleamed on his brow. The man-child was desperate.
The crowd fell silent and even Luigi paled. The Don’s face started to turn red with rage. Dante smirked, enjoying Luigi’s discomfort.This would certainly work in his favor. He had to admit, this woman intrigued him, but taking her right from under the Gambinos’ noses would sweeten the pot further.
“One million dollars,” Dante announced.
Lucas stared at him in utter shock. Dante didn’t need to shout, his voice carried across the room. Luigi’s nephew stared daggers at him, about to raise his hand again, but Luigi clamped down on it, shaking his head.
“Did I hear one million dollars for this fine specimen? No other bids? Then, lot number 23 is sold to Dante Massimo,” the auctioneer announced.
****
“Brother, have you lost your mind?” Lucas asked Dante. Ignoring his brother, Dante finished writing the check and handed it to Fyodore Babanin.
“It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Dante,” Fyodore said as he tucked the check away. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
“Ask away,” Dante said. “But there are no guarantees I’ll answer.”
Malik and Lucas traded worried looks. They probably thought him insane, because Dante hadn’t shown much interest in the auction at the beginning. Hell, he never planned on buying anything. Then again, unexpected outcomes like these made life interesting.
Lucas was right. All Dante had ever focused on was running the family business. Now, he had a new obsession.
“Fair enough. What made you bid a million dollars on one product? You could’ve gotten four for that amount,” Fyodore pointed out. “And this one was a last-minute acquisition. Completely unplanned.”
“Let me guess. Luigi’s nephew made the request?” Dante asked.
Fyodore smiled but didn’t confirm or denyit.“So that’s the only reason? Because you wanted to spite the Gambinos? What do you have against them?”
“Let’s just say they made a mistake they need to pay for. This is just the start,”Dante replied.
A million dollars could cause a dent in his wallet but not much. His legal companies were doing well, as was the illegal side of the family business. Taking something the Gambinos coveted was just the first step. The next would involve guns and bloodshed. In the meantime, Dante would enjoy himself.
“Remind me to never get on your bad side,” Fyodore said. “Well, I hope you enjoy your new acquisition.”
“I will do just that,” Dante said.
Fyodore extended his hand. Dante never liked the slimy bastard but the Babanins and the Massimo Familia had a certain understanding. They had conducted business in the past, respected each other’s boundaries. Dante would never call the Babanins allies but it was prudent in this line of work not to make unnecessary enemies. The Bratva understood honor, unlike Luigi Gambino and his nephew.
Chapter Three
Cara’s entire body felt sluggish.Drugged, she thought, trying to force her consciousness awake.
Images surfaced in her head. The unpleasant and sheer fabric barely covering her body, the too-bright stage, and leering faces. A dark-haired, green-eyed beautiful monster in a tailored suit, bidding a million dollars for her. It all seemed surreal and yet here she was, lying in a gigantic king-sized bed covered with black sheets that felt like silk.
She expected to find herself naked and exposed but someone had dressed her in a pair of oversized but comfortable silk pajamas. They were black, just like the bedsheets, and the heavy curtains partially obscured the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.