Page 13 of Dangerous Attraction

“It was my pleasure, Miss Madison. It’s nice to drive around a beautiful woman instead of Mr. Anastasi.”

“You mean you’ve given none of the other employees a ride?”

He gave me a megawatt smile as he answered. “No, you’re the first. Have a good evening.”

I watched as he got back in the car and pulled off. I found it odd that no other employee had ever been taken home by his driver. I was sure Massimo said he always made sure his employees were safe. Climbing the steps up to my sad apartment, I felt good until I got to the top of the steps and gasped. My door had been busted in, leaving it hanging on one hinge. Racing inside, my breath left my lungs when I saw the damage to what little belongings I had. My couch had been cut up, leaving foam and stuffing strewn all over the floor. The dresser was tipped on its side, the drawers and what little clothing I had was scattered across the apartment.

I hurried to the kitchen where I’d stashed my laptop. Yanking open the cabinet, I released the air I’d been holding when I saw my bag still safely tucked inside. Tugging it to me, I slid down onto my butt and held it against my chest. If they’d taken my computer, I would have been completely screwed. It was my only form of communication and held all my schoolwork.

Pushing up off the floor, I threw the messenger bag over my shoulder and headed toward the front door. Whoever had broken in, fucked up the door something awful. I tried to wedge it back over the opening, but quickly realized there was no way to fix it. Leaning it against the wall to get my bearings, I headed over to my neighbor’s apartment. I didn’t really talk to the other people in my building because they were usually drunk or high, but I needed to get hold of the building super.

Knocking on the door across the hall from me, I waited. I could hear someone walking toward the front of the apartment. The door opened in a whoosh.

“What the fuck do you want?” The man was only wearing a pair of basketball shorts and reeked of weed.

“Can I borrow your phone? My apartment was broken into.”

“Use your own phone.” The wood hit me in the nose as he slammed it closed.

I jumped back, wrapping my arms around my middle. If I had my own phone, I’d have already called the police. Swallowing my tears, I adjusted my bag on my shoulder. I hurried down the stairs and stepped out onto the sidewalk. I needed to call someone, but I didn’t know anyone’s number. Realizing my only option was to walk back to the club as it was closer than the police department, I held the bag against my chest and hurried back into town. The last thing I wanted to do on a Friday night was walk the streets of Vegas alone. Keeping a quick pace, I kept my bags tucked against me tight and started toward the club.

I really didn’t want Massimo to see me so vulnerable, but I was out of options. There was no way I was going to knock on another door in this damn complex.

eight

MASSIMO

My mood hadn’t improvedsince my encounter with the woman. Hell, I didn’t even get her name before tossing her out like trash. I was sitting in my apartment, frustrated, when the vibration of my phone startled me. Snatching it off the table, I barked, “Yeah?”

“Boss?” Carlisle’s voice sounded off.

“Carlisle?” I sat up from my relaxed position on the couch. “What’s the matter?”

“It’s Miss Hart.”

My hackles went up at the mention of the girl I’d been fantasizing about.

“Madison?”

“Yeah. Look, she asked me not to tell you she was here, but something happened, and you need to know about it.”

“I’ll be down in a minute.” Standing, I walked to the elevator and pressed the button over and over as if it would make it open faster.

My heart was thrumming against my ribs. I hadn’t even asked Carlisle what happened. The moment I heard her name and the concern in his voice, all common sense went out the window. As soon as the metal barrier opened, I hurried out. Madison was sitting at the bar, a computer bag slung over her shoulder and the one she had earlier stashed at her feet. Even from my distance, I could see she had been crying, her eyes red and swollen. Pushing past a few people, my body saddled up behind her.

“Madison.” Leaning against her, I whispered her name into her ear.

Her body tensed, her head swinging to look at me.

“Massimo?” She glanced back to Carlisle. “I asked you not to call him.”

“Sorry, Sweetheart.” Carlisle simply shrugged his shoulders. “He needed to know.”

“Fuck!” She dropped her head into her hands.

“What didn’t you want me to know, Madison?” I brushed my hand down the back of her head and toyed with her ponytail.

“I’m sorry.” She looked up at me, embarrassment marring her beautiful face. “You don’t need to deal with my bullshit.”

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