Page 24 of Merciless Desires

“I was on my way to the garage to get it when I saw a potential problem,” Conti said.

“What is it?” Romero shook his head. “It’s too early for problems. I haven’t even had a drink yet.”

“Santoro is here,” Conti said. “He’s not alone.”

“Who is with him?” I tried to push back the rage, because I already knew the answer. I hadn’t had an alert from Cin’s shopping spree in hours. I thought she got bored with spending money, but had she found something else to occupy herself?

“You’re not going to like it.” Conti motioned toward the smaller bar at the other end of the club. “She’s with Alberto too.”

“Fuck!” I pushed past Conti and headed toward the bar.

“Gio.” Romero followed me. “We’re going to have to take him out back and send a message.”

“I know.”

Conti joined us. “He only has two of his men with him. I can have someone occupy them.”

“Get it done quickly,” I said. “What the hell is she thinking?”

“Look who it is.” Paulie held up his beer bottle. “The Bilotti brothers.”

Cin turned in her chair and smiled at us. “Caio, boys.”

She wore a strapless black dress that sat on her mid-thighs. Had she chosen no straps for a reason? Was she afraid I would cut this dress too? Her flawless skin glowed under the dim bar lights as her long, sexy hair cascaded down her back, stopping at her waist. The red lipstick on her plump lips matched her nails, and the dark eyeliner made her look older. If she wanted my attention, she had it.

“Paulie.” Romero grabbed his arm and yanked him off the barstool. “My brother and I need to have a word with you.”

“Get your hands off me.” Paulie looked around for his guys, but Conti had already taken care of them.

“What are you doing?” Cinzia asked. “He didn’t do anything.”

“We’ll talk about it when I get back.” I leaned down and whispered into her ear. “It’s not going to go like it did last night.”

“Gio?” She touched my shoulder. “I came to see you.”

“Alberto.” I motioned for him. “Do not leave her side. She stays right here until I get back.”

“He can’t tell me what to do,” Cinzia insisted. “Neither can you.”

“If you don’t stay put,” I said and pointed at Alberto, “he’s going to pay the price.”

“You’re a bully,” she shouted as I followed Romero, Conti, and an uncooperative Paulie through the back of the club and out to the alleyway where three of our security team waited for us.

“Conti,” I said. “Make sure Cinzia doesn’t leave this club.”

He nodded and went back inside.

“Obviously, there is a misunderstanding.” Paulie struggled against Romero’s hold.

“Possibly,” my brother said. “We’re going to clear things up so there are no more misunderstandings.”

“In case you didn’t figure it out last night…” When I placed my hand on the back of my waistband, Paulie’s gaze followed my movement. I needed to stay in control, and if I took my gun out, I might shoot him for the way he pawed her last night. “Cinzia doesn’t exist in your universe. Are we clear?”

“Are you kidding me?” Paulie laughed but quickly yelled out in pain when Romero twisted his arm. “Fuck!”

“I’ll break it in half,” Romero said. “This is no joke. Don Malatesta saw pictures of you dancing with her last night, and he wasn’t pleased.”

“Both times I was minding my business.” Beads of sweat covered his brow. “She wanted to dance with me last night. Tonight I was sitting at the bar alone when she approached me. If you don’t want her on another man’s radar, maybe you should keep better track of her, because she throws off all kinds of fuck-me vibes.”

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