Chapter 3
Dante Moretti sank into the soft leather chair, drawing deeply from the vintage cigar in his hand.
He blew the smoke out softly as he took in the meeting room of the renowned Russo family. Too flashy. Not his style.
Soft music played in the background as the new cartel boss sat nervously, trying to exude confidence while holding the waist of a young red-headed girl on his lap.
Dante cleared his throat in disapproval, his eyes shifting to the door where his guards stood. Where was his pet?
A part of him was eager to see the woman who constantly disturbed his life. Making him lose all his court cases, the bitch Russo lawyer as he and Lorenzo called her.
"Is she descending from heaven?" He drawled slowly, his eyes narrowing in irritation. He hated to be kept waiting.
"I apologize," The Don stumbled to his feet, pushing aside the girl. He was saved from leaving the room when the meeting room door opened and she walked inside.
The strong smell of strawberries assaulted his senses and Dante found himself dropping his cigar in surprise.
He would never have guessed.
She was dressed like a hooker, her attire completely different from the lawyer picture in his head, the red lace clung to her figure like a second skin.
Did the Don make her wear this?
He curiously glanced at the Don then the resemblance struck him—they were siblings.
He blinked in shock. How had he not known this?
You!" Her brother grabbed her arm roughly, shoving her to the center of the room.
Under the light, Dante finally saw her clearly, and shock rippled through him. He lifted his cigar to his mouth trying to mask his surprise
She was stunning.
Her eyes were hazel with green flecks. Her hair was dark brown. Almost black, it fell in waves down her back and her face—
He paused in surprise. It sported a large bruise, a cut across her cheek that had not been cleaned. The blood looked fresh.
Did the brother do this? A vein ticked at the side of Dante's head and he began to tap his little finger against the arm of the chair.
She stood, unaffected by her wound as she stared straight at Dante. Her boldness surprised him but seemed her embarrass her brother as the Don's face turned red.
"You refuse to bow?! " Her brother growled, his eyes narrowing in anger.
She didn't bow to a rival Mafia family, She stood tall, defiant, a true Russo—unlike the spluttering fool beside her."
Dante saw her jaw tighten, saw her small wince, and signaled his guard, a second before her brother raised his hand to hit her.
"W WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Don Marco roared angrily as Dante's man held his hand in the air and refused to let go.
Dante hid his smile behind his glass of brandy and was almost sure he saw a flash of amusement in Natalia's eyes as well.
"I don't like to mess with my toys," Dante drawled slowly as he signaled for his man to let Don go but stay close by.
Marco scoffed and shook his head like Dante was a fool. "She's headstrong and bullheaded. You'll need to break her!"
It was almost insulting.
Dante dropped his brandy glass and gave Don Marco a blank stare. "I don't like broken toys,"
"And who says I'm willing to be your toy?" Her voice was smooth like velvet, her eyes shining as she cocked her head. The movement was so feline-like, that he knew she was assessing him.
"Leave us," He commanded the Don.
Her brother looked like he wanted to argue. This was his cartel after all, perhaps he had grown tired of playing submissive to a family he was arguably more powerful than. In the end, whatever his reason was, won out and he signaled his men to leave them alone.
The door clicked closed leaving them together.
Dante crossed his legs slowly, his eyes assessing her as she stared at her.
"What?" She hissed, seemingly irritated at the open way he stared at her.
"You can't refuse your brother," Dante stubbed his cigar on the small plate beside his brandy glass and returned to staring at her. "Yet you say you're not willing to be my toy,"
"Cut the crap, Dante," She ran a hair through her dark hair. Walking away from the spotlight, she sank into her brother's chair with deliberate ease.
He had to admit, he was intrigued.
"We both know you hate me," She poured herself a glass of brandy, "Courtesy of me winning your cases,"
The reminder of his constant humiliation made him clench his jaw as he turned to face her. "You mean to negotiate,"
"Bingo," She awarded him a smile like he was the pet and she the master. "You could take me by force, but I sense you're a real man. You know there's no fun in that,"
Now not only was he amused and intrigued but he was also curious to know what she wanted so badly she was pimping herself out.
"I get the feeling no one could truly force you into anything," He mused "But you don't know me,"
She swirled her glass and shook her head. "I know your type well enough,"
He kept forgetting she was Alessandro's only daughter of course she knew enough about Mafia men.
"Speak," He urged her with an amused wave of his hand.
Her eyes flashed like the motion irritated her but she didn't rise to the bait. "I want to be your sugar baby,"
The request was simple enough that he would have laughed if he were not shocked. "Sugar baby?" He repeatedly dubiously.
"You know," She waved her hand impatiently, "I'll have sex with you in return for money and gifts,"
Had he misjudged her?
He noticed her lack of jewelry and blinked drily "You don't seem like a woman taken by trinkets,"
"Y You don't know me," She spluttered in surprise like she had expected him to agree.
"I know your type," He flung her words back at her as he checked his watch. Almost time for Lorenzo's flight. "Speak what you want plainly, I'm a busy man,"
She didn't fail to notice his motion and she swallowed. "I've told you what I want. Money,"
She was speaking the truth or she was a very good liar.
"Why?" He asked directly. "You're the only daughter of a mafia lord not to mention a successful lawyer. What would you want with money?"
"Ex," She dropped her now empty glass. "Daughter of an ex-mafia lord. Now I'm penniless,"
He felt a twinge of pity. So her monster of a brother had stripped her bare.
"Money is power. Tell me, why should I give it to you?"
He wasn't a fool. There was something more.
He saw the struggle in her eyes as she seemed to contemplate. "Alessandro is alive,"
He didn't know what he expected but not the words that left her lips. "What?!"
"Yes," She gave a nod, her face twisting in pain. "But barely so. I need money to keep him alive,"
He could almost laugh. What sort of woman was this?
"You do realize I'm a rival Mafia family. Why would you give me such vital information?"
Realization filled him before she could answer. "Your brother doesn't know does he?"
"No," She shook her head "And I want it to remain that way,"
"You plan to treat my enemy with my money," Dante gave a slow nod like the whole thing was comical.
"And I'd be having sex with my enemy. A more than fair trade if you ask me,"
She was ridiculously funny.
He could walk out right now. Find Alessandro and put a hole in the bastard's head but something about this woman…
"I need something else from you," If he was doing it he might as well benefit.
"You want me to be your lawyer," She finished with a slow nod.
The ultimate betrayal to her cartel.
"The choice is yours," He got to his feet slowly and turned to leave. A shame, she was a sexy little thing.
"Wait!" She called out as his men were about to open the door. "Deal,"
He turned around, barely concealing his smirk "One last thing, little bird," Dante paused, his voice low. "You're never allowed to fall in love with me."
She rolled her eyes, her lips twitching in a half-smile. 'Wouldn't dream of it,"