Page 40 of Captured Innocence

“To that end, I have a business proposition for you, Don Lazarro.”

“And that would be?” He suddenly acted as if he was bored.

I’d prepared a check in the event I felt it prudent to follow through with my initial plan. While it was still a risky endeavor, at this point I refused to allow anyone to ever have the opportunity of getting their hands on Sophia. She was mine. It was time to make good on my promise. However, he would play it my way, or I would ruin him. I pulled the check from my pocket, glancing at it for a few seconds.

“I would like to marry your daughter,” I told him quietly.

“Lucia?” He laughed, glancing up and down as if I’d told him a joke. “She would eat you alive, Mattia. You aren’t man enough for her.”

“I’m well aware that Lucia has already been promised to Antonio.”

He took a deep breath before huffing slightly. “The way of our world.”

“Which is why I’m interested in Sophia. Not only am I prepared to supply her with an incredible life, but I also intend to ensure the exchange is very lucrative for you as well, Don Lazarro.”

“Sophia?” he repeated, narrowing his eyes. “What are you offering?”

He was too smug, which meant he had played one suitor against another. I should be more appalled than I was.

I could see dollar signs in the man’s eyes and it disgusted me. Then again, what the fuck was I doing? “Consider this a down payment. Sophia will be allowed to finish school prior to our wedding. Once she turns twenty-one, then she will become my bride. At which time, I will provide the other half of the payment.”

As I handed him the folded check, I could tell he was anticipating perhaps a couple hundred thousand dollars for her hand. When he glanced at the check, I could see immediate shock, which meant his funds were in trouble.

“You’re serious.” He was already salivating.

“Very. In addition, I will be glad to provide additional funding for your brokerage firm in the States, as a silent partner of course. I’ve had some experience dealing with the Brazilians who are testy about who they sell to.”

“And this is a deposit?”

“Yes. Of course, there will be a contract drawn up that will spell out all the particulars. However, there is one caveat to the agreement. She is not to know. No one is. My gift to her is allowing her to finish college. That is the least I can do.”

Little did he know part of my reasoning was to allow time to rid myself of my father. In turn, she would appreciate that I offered her a chance at freedom, something she seemed to crave desperately.

He locked his gaze on the check, dollar signs in his eyes. Then he folded and pocketed the check.

“So we have a deal, Don Lazarro?”

“Yes, we have a deal, Mattia.” He held out his hand and I took a deep breath.

When I grasped his hand, I sensed I was being watched. I gave the handshake the appropriate amount of time before pulling away and turning.

And out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed Sophia had been watching. How long had she been standing there? There was no mistaking the fury on her face. Whatever she believed she’d witnessed had set her off, which was the last thing I wanted to have occur.

He noticed my gaze and sighed. “She is rough around the edges, Mattia. It will take you time to discipline her. I don’t know what I did so wrong with her. Lucia is compliant, a perfect child. But Sophia is like a filly who needs to be broken.”

His choice of words was disgusting.

“Beautiful women need to be nurtured, Don Lazarro. Not broken.”

“Don’t be a fool,” he said. “Without breaking them in, they do their best to tread all over you and your estate. You can’t have them making a fool in front of you. Sophia. Come here. Now. There is someone you need to meet.”

When she didn’t respond, he took two long strides toward her, grabbing her by the arm and yanking her toward me. I could tell by the look on her face that she was in pain.

“This is the future Don of the DeLuca Empire. It would be best if you’d acknowledge his presence,” Roberto hissed.

She glared at me, chewing on her bottom lip. When she muttered something in Italian that even I didn’t catch, Roberto moved closer almost instantly.

As soon as he raised his arm as if he was going to slap her, I snapped my fingers around his arm. “Don’t you dare touch her,” I growled.

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