Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 125243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Only a schmuck would sign up to be used and abused in full sight of their nemesis.
“You’re insane if you think I’ll do this.”
“You don’t have a choice,” Azra says, stepping up to me without fear. “You either play along or fork over one hundred million to get rid of me. Which is it?”
She tries to hide her hurt when I snap out again, “Cash or check?” but I still see it.
“Matteo,” Giovanni murmurs, certain I’m digging a hole I’ll never get out of. I have plenty of money, more than I’ll ever need, but that won’t be the case if I keep making stupid business decisions like this. “Take emotions out of this. It’s a week, two at most. I’m sure you’ve survived worse.”
I dart my narrowed eyes to him. “You’re taking her side? Who the fuck are you?”
“I’m not taking sides. I just think you’re letting emotions—”
I cut him off with a pfft. “This isn’t about emotions.”
“Then why won’t you do it?” Azra once again plays me at my own game. “If you don’t care what happens to me, why won’t you do this one thing?”
I’m ashamed of how long I take to come up with a reply, and it’s weak.
“Because what am I getting out of this? You get douchebag Antonio, and I get…?”
When my teeth graze my lower lip, incapable of acting nonchalant to the heat creeping up her neck, she shoves her hand into my face, then walks around Giovanni’s desk to place a bulky slab of mahogany between us.
“No chance. You left me hanging once. I refuse to sign up again.”
“Then I’m not interested.” I knew she wouldn’t prostitute herself out. That’s why I backed her into that corner. It’s either force her to give up in defeat, or admit I might be a schmuck for the right delicious-smelling cunt and pretty face. It will take more than a blowjob for me to fall to my knees. “Have a nice life.”
As I turn to leave, the door shoots open and my father enters. The temperature in the room immediately drops for the man who knows the world bends around him. He retired when our mother passed away, but he remains a much-loved and respected figure in our industry. I’d rather fall on my knife than ever disappoint him.
Papa’s gaze lands on me first, eyes filled with something colder than the years of understanding they’ve always shown me.
“Matteo,” he says, voice low. “A word.”
When I follow him to the far corner of Giovanni’s office, he doesn’t waste any time. “You traded your reputation to secure this girl’s freedom, so now you must honor the cost.”
I grit my teeth. “You can’t be serious.”
“You removed his hand, Matteo. His fucking hand.”
“That is unrelated to this.” I thrust my hand to Azra during my last word. She stands quietly at the side, her posture a mix of fear and reverence. “It was a necessary—”
“It was excessive,” Papa corrects. “And if you don’t want the rule book thrown at you, you have no choice but to uphold the agreement you made.”
I stare at him, incredulous. “She doesn’t want to marry me. She wants me to pretend to be her fiancé.”
“I am aware of the terms she’s requesting.”
“Then you understand why I refuse to play fiancé to a woman who wants another man!”
He slightly turns his head, not much, just sufficient for me to see the cold amusement in his eyes. “This isn’t about your pride.”
“It is!” I shout, still too immature to understand that real men don’t raise their voices. They don’t have to. True strength is shown in silence. “She wants to use me to get back at Antonio. She’s made that clear.”
“And you did the same when you kissed her… and god knows what else during your commute to the airport,” he says, his tone cutting but also with a hint of pride. “By letting her get close, you let yourself get compromised.”
My jaw locks. “That’s not—”
“You acted impulsively,” he interrupts, too impatient for excuses. “And now you want to walk because you don’t like the consequences of your actions.”
Heat rises in my chest before the truth tumbles from my mouth. “I refuse to be her pawn.”
“Then you shouldn’t have made yourself one,” he says, smirking like what he said is funny.
I don’t see the humor behind it.
He steps closer. His stance isn’t threatening. It’s far worse than that. He’s disappointed in me.
“You made promises on behalf of the Caruso name, then folded on them like our word is not the foundation of our reputation.”
Everything he says is correct, but I have a hard time folding. “I did what I had to.”
“No,” he says sharply. “You did what you wanted to. You wanted her, and now you’re angry because she’s acting like she doesn’t want you back.”
The words slice through me more dangerously than any bullet could.