Page 17 of Merciless Desires

“Gio.” Conti approached us. “I don’t think you’re going to like what’s going on over there.” He pointed to the edge of the dance floor. “Paulie got here a few minutes ago and intercepted Cinzia and asked her to dance. I didn’t want to make a scene, so I came to get you.”

“You did the right thing.” Romero stood. “Let’s get it taken care of quickly. I don’t want a fight to break out.” Romero motioned for a few guys to go with us. “The rest of you stay with Luciana.” Romero looked at Jag. “If anything happens to my wife while I’m gone, I’ll kill you.”

“I won’t leave her side,” Jag said.

“It’s always an interesting night at the club.” Lu sighed.

“I’ll be right back, baby.” Romero kissed the top of her head. “Behave.”

I didn’t wait for Romero as I hurried to where Cin was bumping and grinding against Paulie. Her pert breasts swelled out of the top of her dress as the bottom rose up her thighs. One more booty pop and her ass would be on display for everyone who was already mesmerized by her.

In a sea of dark suits and black and gray dresses, she stood out as if a spotlight shone on her in that bright-colored dress. If I wasn’t so mad, I would have cut in and danced with her.

“I’ll take care of Santoro,” Romero said. “You handle Cinzia. Take her to the office if you want privacy, but make sure she understands that this can’t happen again. If Janero can’t trust us with his daughter, then he will never trust us with anything else.”

“Don’t worry.” I moved toward her and grabbed her arm.

She turned in my direction and smiled.

“There you are.” She placed her hand on my jaw as she moved to the music. “Dance with me.”

“What the fuck?” Paulie grabbed her arm and tugged her back to him. “You’re dancing with me.”

I guided Cin toward me, tucking her behind me before getting in Paulie’s face.

“Touch her again, mother fucker,” I shouted, “and it will be the last thing you do.”

“I got this.” Romero stepped between us. “Go take care of your shit.”

“Let’s go.” I tugged Cin off the dance floor as people snapped photos of us. This would be all over social media in three seconds. An attraction Romero was trying to avoid, because the last thing we needed were cops in our business. If they thought the atmosphere was hostile here, that would give them a reason to come in whenever they wanted.

“Where are we going?” She pulled on my arm, trying to stop me.

I ignored her, dragging her out of the club and down the hallway that led to mine and Romero’s office. Once we were inside, I shoved her into the room and locked the door behind me.

“How dare you?” she shouted. “I will not allow you to treat me this way.”

I loosened my tie and took it from my neck. When I came toward her she backed away, but I grabbed her and spun her to face the desk.

“What are you doing?” She tried to struggle out of my hold. “Stop!”

“Stay still or this will be so much worse for you.” I positioned her arms behind her back, and despite her efforts to get away from me, I secured her wrists with my tie.

“Untie me!”

“Princess, you’re about to find out what happens when you don’t follow the rules.” I wrapped my arm around her and kissed the back of her neck, inhaling her luscious scent. “Did you really think dancing with that worm would be in your best interest?”

“Who I dance with is none of your business.”

“You don’t think so?” I turned her to face me, holding her by her upper arms so she didn’t lose her balance. “Everything you do is my business.”

“Do you think my father would appreciate what you’re doing to me?”

“I haven’t even begun to do anything to you.” I reached into my pocket and took out my favorite blade. The one I carried in case of emergencies. “That’s about to change.” I deployed the silver blade and waved it in front of her face. “Do you want to argue with me now?”

“Gio.” Her voice was low as she focused on the knife. “Put that away.”

“Don’t tell me what to do,” I said. She flinched when I ran the tip of the knife along her collarbone, making sure I didn’t apply any pressure. “Stay still.”

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