Page 1 of The Don

PROLOGUE

LEO

There are women and there’s Chastity Blake. She is the most delicious surprise, certainly unexpected and a challenge I wasn’t expecting.

She stares across the table at me with a poker face I would be proud to call my own. She is hiding many secrets behind those enigmatic eyes, and I’m the man about to reveal them.

I flip my cards and watch for her reaction. There is none. The man to her right sighs in exasperation and throws in his hand, but I don’t tear my eyes from hers. The man to her left appears to have given up trying to flirt with her and gives way to anger instead. He stands and throws me a look that would tell most men their lives could be threatened as he retires from the game, leaving a small fortune on the table.

I play to win, but so does my opponent, and she merely turns over her last remaining cards revealing a full house.

There is no triumphant smile or smug joy, just mild curiosity as she waits for my own hand to play.

Without tearing my eyes from hers for a second, I reveal my own hand and note the disappointment cloud her sexy eyes when I win with a royal flush. To be honest, she has been an unwelcome distraction in a game that requires full concentration before you lose everything.

I’m guessing she is used to that because word on the street is she’s unbeaten, until now that is and as she meets my eyes with a wry smile of defeat, she stands and nods to the dealer, pushing her last remaining chips her way as thanks.

I nod to Ryan, my trusted consigliere, to deal with my winnings and I stand, facing the woman who is about to receive an offer she won’t be able to refuse and nod toward the bar.

“A word please, Miss. Blake.”

If she’s surprised that I know her name, she doesn’t show it and merely nods as my guards clear a path toward a booth set in the corner of the room, out of sight and unapproachable because I have business to discuss and must not be disturbed.

To her credit, she doesn’t react, even with curiosity, which makes me smile. She is a truly gifted poker player and the one woman I need more than any other right now.

She slips into the booth with no fear at all and as I slide in opposite, I take a moment to stare at a rare beauty. As I heard, she is incomparable because when God created Chastity Blake, it was obvious he couldn’t make up his mind.

It’s as if every nation is represented in her somehow, from her olive skin, deep brown eyes and long jet-black hair that shines like the purest ebony and flows like silk around her shoulders. She is an enigma and uneasily placed, and yet has a confidence that was sharpened through tragedy. Chastity is the most beautiful and challenging woman I’ve ever met in my life, and she is gazing at me as if I’m of no consequence at all.

“State your business, Mr. Ortega.”

I smile to myself because it’s obvious she’s done her homework. In fact, I’m guessing she learned the names of every player in the game and has probably done her research accordingly.

“I believe you are two hundred thousand dollars lighter after our last game. I am giving you the opportunity to win it back.”

“What does that involve?”

From her expression she’s not going to be easily persuaded and probably expects the worse and she should.

“Carlos Matasso.”

For the first time, I get a reaction. She tries to disguise it, but her skin pales and her eyes fill with anger and the way she clenches her fist tells me everything I need to know.

“What about him?”

“I believe you have unfinished business concerning him.”

“Then you believe wrong, Mr. Ortega. I have no thoughts of him at all. Good day.”

She stands, and my guards move closer and seal off any escape she may make, and it almost amuses me to watch her mind calculating if she stands any chance of taking them on.

How I would love to see her try. It would be fascinating to watch. Then again, everything is fascinating about this beauty, and she sits and sighs heavily, the distaste evident on her beautiful face.

“State your business.” She fires back at me with a dead expression and a touch of hostility in her voice that she fails to check.

I lean forward and fix her with my darkest stare, loving how she licks her lips and tries to remain in control.

“I need your services.”

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