Page 2 of Ruthless Match

“You think it’s that easy?” I asked, looking out the window at the New York skyline.

DeSantis paused for a moment before answering. “Not at all, but I know you’ll find a way to make it happen. After all, I do possess quite a bit of leverage over you at the moment. I’d hate to see that evidence fall into the wrong hands.”

Spinning around, I remained calm, but inside, I was seeing red. “Are you threatening me, DeSantis?”

He was trying to remain calm, but I could tell he was nervous by the way he fidgeted with the pen on his desk before responding. “I see it more as a helpful business suggestion.”

I considered the proposal momentarily, and realizing I didn’t have much option, I agreed. “Okay, Dominic. You’ve won this round. You have a deal, but I want an agreement that all copies of the so-called evidence are released to me after the marriage.”

DeSantis’s eyebrows furrowed as if he had been expecting that response. “Ah, but if I do that, what guarantee do I have that you won’t divorce Aurora and force me out of the business?”

My gaze hardened, my expression fading into a steely resolve. “No more than I have that you won’t wait and use the information against me once you’ve attained what you want from our so-called business connection.”

DeSantis swallowed hard, his mind racing for an answer that would be acceptable. “I could sign over controlling interest in one of my hotels to you,” he said hesitantly. “That way, you would always have control of part of my empire. I want all of my hotels to flourish and run smoothly so that I would have no choice but to abide by our agreement.”

Looking back at the skyline, I considered his proposal momentarily. Slowly, I began to nod. “Alright, Dominic. It’s a deal, but there’s one thing you haven’t considered.”

Raising his eyebrow in confusion, he leaned across the table before asking, “And what is that?”

I turned to look at him to gauge his reaction. “Your daughter. How can you be so sure she will go for this? A ‘marriage of convenience’ is a little outdated, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Don’t worry about Aurora; I’ll handle her. She will see that this is for the best.”

Yeah, but for who? It sure as hell isn’t me.

Reluctantly, I extended my hand. “Very well, Dominic. You have a deal. Please send the necessary information to my office.”

Relief flooded through DeSantis as he shook my hand and smiled victoriously. But just as I was about to leave, his tone became serious, almost menacing.

“Let me make one thing clear, Mr. Santoro.” His eyes had narrowed into slits, and I could see how he had managed to take over the hotel world ruthlessly. “I know how things work in your world, and if you so much as lay a hand on my daughter, I will have the feds on you faster than you can blink. In simple terms, hurt her, and I hurt you.”

My blood ran cold at the threat, but it wasn’t the first time I’d been threatened by men claiming to be worried about their daughter. In my 37 years on earth, I’d had my share of threats. Maintaining my composure, I smiled. “I understand, Dominic. You have my word.”

DeSantis nodded with satisfaction and walked to the bar with a glint of victory. A glint I wanted to smack off his face but couldn’t. Too much was at stake.

As he poured a drink, he motioned for me to sit down. “I’m glad we understand each other, Matteo. Now, let’s discuss the details of our impending business arrangement, shall we?”

When Dominic began talking about what he wanted to be involved in, my insides shook. Why? I have no idea, but I couldn’t grasp my emotions. For some reason unknown to me, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread, like everything I had worked so hard to build and protect would come crashing down. I wasn’t sure if it was personal, business, or both, but I didn’t like it. I am Matteo Santoro, known for always being in control, and for once, I found myself in a situation I couldn’t do anything about.

I just hoped that Dominic DeSantis realized he was playing a dangerous game. He may have life-altering evidence against me, but I am Matteo Santoro and always win.

Days turned into weeks, and I was at my engagement party before I knew it. It was only fitting to be held at the most luxurious hotel in DeSantis’s chain, The Grand Royale. The irony wasn’t lost on me. After all, that was where my business dealings had been less than discreet, landing me in my current predicament.

The ballroom twinkled and glittered with crystal chandeliers and copious fresh flowers. The air was alive with guests' chattering and champagne flute clinks, but it also possessed a thickness that alluded to the life-changing step I was about to take. Except I had no intention of letting it change my life in any way.

I may be marrying Aurora DeSantis, but it is only on paper. As far as I’m concerned, I will continue to live exactly as I wish.

DeSantis stood in the center of the room, his commanding presence gathering the attention of all the guests. As I watched from the sidelines, I couldn’t help but wonder if I had misjudged him before. The man I thought was a respectable businessman was no more than a ruthless snake, willing to trade his daughter’s future for a stake in a bigger game. In a way, he was like me. I didn’t like that.

Soon, Aurora entered with a grace and ease I was unaccustomed to. She was beautiful, radiant even, but that was beside the point. It didn’t matter how effortlessly she moved through the crowd, how her laughter sounded like music floating through the air, or how everyone stopped to look at her as she walked by; I didn’t want to be here.

I never planned on getting married, especially not to the daughter of a man I am slowly beginning to despise. Throughout the night, I managed to smile politely and make small talk, but I was slowly pulling further and further away from the festivities.

I’m good at faking many things, but pretending to be a love-sick groom was not one of them. The weight of the agreement with DeSantis overshadowed any chance I had of pretending to be happy, but this was the price I had to pay to survive.

Suddenly, I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed to escape. Spotting my bodyguards, I signaled it was time to get out. Without a second thought, I slipped out through a dimly lit corridor as my men trailed after me. Just as I exited the magnificent ballroom, I heard DeSantis’s voice on the microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I can’t express enough how much it means to my family that you have come out to congratulate the happy couple…”

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