Page 41 of His to Break

It’s clear from his pinched lips that Daniele isn’t happy about his fate. It’s petty of me, but I can’t summon an ounce of sympathy. Women in our world get traded off like cattle. We’re told who to marry, when to have children, what we can and can’t do with our lives. If a man gets the raw end of the deal with an arranged marriage once in a while, I can’t feel sorry for him. They created this shitty society. It’s time some of them lived with the consequences. At least Daniele will still have control over other aspects of his life. I just hope Serena won’t be too miserable.

“When you set a date, let me know.” I shuffle across the banquette and get to my feet. “I’ll send you a new toaster or something.”

Needing to leave before my anger at the injustices of our world bubbles over, I head to the exit. Benny gets there before me and holds the door open. I focus on breathing deeply, getting my temper under control as I walk the few yards to the waiting SUV. I don’t want to be mad at Daniele. He’s the only family I’ve got, and it’s not his fault he’s part of the system that almost saw me shackled to a hideous old toad. I’ll speak to him when I’m less agitated, smooth things over.

As I approach the car, Dino jumps out of the passenger side and opens the back door for me. A stocky man with a shaved head and pale gray eyes, he gives me a pleasant smile. “Good coffee?”

“It was okay.” I try to keep my tone even, to hide my annoyance. “Nothing special.”

“You should let me take you to my Aunt Maria’s place next time. Great coffee and she makes incredible pastries.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“You should. It’s good for the wife of one of the bosses to eat in family-run places. Shows loyalty, commitment.”

That could be a hint that he knows I met Daniele there, but I can’t be sure.

“You think I lack those qualities?”

Dino shrugs. “Remains to be seen.”

Though he doesn’t come right out and accuse me of doing something shady, my hands tremble as I get into the back of the car. My conversation with Daniele was harmless. I’ll be open with Leo about it. He’ll believe me when I say I didn’t plan the meeting, that I didn’t share information I shouldn’t. Won’t he?

CHAPTER 17

Vinnie

After I’ve dropped Benny off on the twenty-eighth floor where he’s currently sharing a three-bed apartment with two of Leo’s men, I continue up to the penthouse. It’s strange, but I already feel at home here. I guess it’s because the simple elegance of the décor appeals to me. It feels right for a young couple like Leo and me.

When I lived in England, I was never entirely at home in my father’s country house, which someone had clearly decorated with an old lady in mind. There was lavender paint and chintzy fabric everywhere. Every available surface was covered with ornaments, not works of art, but cheap crappy stuff that probably came from a flea market. Whoever Leo got to design our apartment had an aversion to clutter and I’m grateful for it.

As the doors of the elevator slide open, I’m struck by the silence. It’s usually quiet in the apartment, but today it’s different. The lack of sound is somehow ominous, the air laden with tension. I’m only two steps into the living area before I discover the source of the uneasy atmosphere. Leo is sitting in the brown leather armchair by the window. He’s leaning back, one leg crossed over the other. It’s a casual pose if you ignore the tautness in his shoulders, the veins popping in his neck. He’s wearing black jeans and a matching shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal a gold watch on his tanned wrist. Leo Volante is every bad boy fantasy I’ve ever had come to life.

“Leo,” I acknowledge his brooding presence.

“Mrs. Volante.” His voice is even but tinged with an underlying aggression. It makes my pussy clench, though it probably shouldn’t. “Did you have a good day?”

“It was great, thanks.” My eye drifts to the black leather belt folded on the table next to him. It’s not there by accident. Clearly, it’s there as a warning to me that he may use it. I swallow hard and try to maintain an air of nonchalance. “Had fun with Benny, saw some sights.”

“Uh-huh. Anything else?”

I purse my lips in annoyance. It’s obvious that Dino reported back to him about me seeing Daniele. He could ask me about it straight out but if he wants to play with me, I’ll go along with it.

“Not really.”

“No?” Leo slowly uncrosses his legs. He plants both feet firmly on the floor and sits up straighter in his seat. He looks more intimidating now. “Nothing else to report?”

“Well, Benny and I went for coffee and a donut.” Now that I think about it, I didn’t eat my donut. Damn Daniele for distracting me. I was looking forward to trying my first American donut, and he made me forget all about it. “Then we came home.”

Leo’s jaw clenches. “That’s it. You’ve nothing to confess.”

I shake my head slowly. “Confessing would suggest I’ve done something wrong.”

“You don’t think you’ve done anything wrong?”

I fold my arms across my chest. “I know I didn’t.”

Technically, I spoke to the enemy, but it wasn’t a meeting I orchestrated and I didn’t pass Volante family secrets to my brother.

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