Page 27 of The Don

Then why do I feel as if I’ve lost something that could have been incredible?

CHAPTER18

LEO

There is something alien inside me that I don’t like. Emotion. It must be, because what I’m feeling now hurts like hell. She rejected me. Put a stop to something that I never really thought was anything other than two people having sex before walking away. We have been forced into this weird partnership and I hoped it came with benefits. The fact I can’t get her out of my mind is inconvenient and I expect it’s because I’ve never been in this situation before.

Diana is the only other woman I casually fucked, but that is all it was to me, no matter what she likes to believe.

I was merely doing it for fun, to get back at my father for killing my mother and putting an imposter in her place.

That’s who I am. A fucking emotionless wreck and now Chastity has given me a taste of my own medicine I don’t like it.

So, I do what I’ve always done and turn my back and as I dress, I say over my shoulder gruffly, “I’ve got business to attend to.”

I’m not proud that I’ve left her naked and upset. But what the fuck would I say, anyway? I’m in alien territory and I don’t do this shit, but it hurts like hell to leave the room, because for some reason I want to persuade her to change her mind.

I head for the gym instead and crank up the music as I focus on fitness and working a way out of my problem.

Tomorrow is the final day to come up with a plan and I’m certain the one we have spoken about at length will cut it.

However, there is something I’m not seeing which sets me on edge. I like to be one step ahead, but I feel as if I’m two steps behind.

I run over the plan in my head as I punch the bag with more aggression than usual, picturing Carlos Matasso in its place as I beat him to a bloody death.

The first item on the agenda was to re–write the will in our favor, something I can now tick off the list.

Ernest Bagway, the lawyer, is running shit scared and all because I discovered he prefers young boys and wouldn’t last two hours in prison.

Now he’s on my payroll I have the law on my side because he will prove extremely useful for any future contracts I need messing with.

Then there’s Diana. The bitch herself. I want her right where I can watch her crash and burn. There is no future for that woman all the time I live, but, as it turns out, she isn’t my greatest enemy. That honor belongs to that bastard Carlos Matasso, who wants to take over The Ortega Mafia.

That’s where Chastity comes in and I need her to take him out on his way to the reading of the will. I have it all planned out, but now I’m not so sure. I no longer want to place her in any danger and so I need to re-think her involvement in this and if anyone asks me why the change of heart? I don’t have a ready answer.

The door opens and Ryan heads inside, still dressed for business, which makes me stop and face him with an impatient, “Tell me.”

“One of the guys told me Diana has requested a car tomorrow. She intends on taking Chastity shopping. Do you know about that?”

“No.”

I run my fingers through my hair, wondering what the hell she’s up to and Ryan says darkly, “I’m guessing she has an ulterior motive.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Moving across, I grab some water from the cooler and then say harshly, “It could work to our advantage.”

“It could.” Ryan stares at me while waiting for instruction, and I grab a towel and nod. “Arrange it. I’ll brief Chastity.”

He nods and leaves the room as I head to the showers with an overwhelming sense of hatred for only one person right now. Me.

The moment I leave the gym, Diana is waiting in a contrived attempt at a chance meeting in the hall.

“Leo.” She steps back as if surprised and I don’t miss the way she has made up her face or styled her hair, her figure-hugging dress outlining her curves, revealing that like Chastity, underwear is not required.

“It’s good to see you.” She says huskily and throws me a look of longing that would bring any red bloodied man to his knees.

“Is it?” I shrug, brushing her off with disinterest.

I make to pass, and she reaches for my hand and says hesitantly, “Please. I don’t want it to be like this. I want to make it to up you. To show you I never intended for any of this to happen. To hurt you.”

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