Page 34 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

“It isn’t your business.” He’s right; that level of crude isn’t me. I don’t need it or like it. But I’m making a point. “The Mulligans need me more than I need them.”

“This is family business, Matty, like you say.”

“Yes, and I’m using the Mulligans’ desperation. Letting them think I’ve got the hots for Heaven brings down their defenses, lets me in deeper.”

“By screwing her now?”

“A man who craves a woman enough to forgo money for her seems weak.” Like so-called love.

“Okay, you’re playing a dangerous long game. You never answered me, though,” he says. “To use your words, it’s a finely tuned affair, not an actual affair.”

I sigh. He’s poking, he wants information he’s not going to get. “You can’t have an affair if you’re going to marry her.”

“I knew it. You nailed the princess.”

“You’ve been indulging in the culture too much in this damn country,” I say. “And she’s not a princess. She’s an underboss.”

“Call her whatever the hell you want. She’s still a hot piece of ass, and you love a hot piece of ass. Something happened in there. I know you. So don’t lie to me. You fucking her or almost fucking her makes this whole deal shaky.” He gives me an expectant look.

Of course Roman guessed I sampled the goods. Though I’d call it more of a going-over than a real sampling. Amuse-bouche? “Again, it doesn’t make a difference.”

“I’m just calling it as I see it. We’ve got clout, real clout beyond the sex club front. And you convinced me of this call, so why you’d go and tempt fate…” He takes a bite of the pastry and chews, then points the donut in my direction. “You have some kind of iron-clad deal with Declan Mulligan, but if we’re going to move into power without making waves and spilling blood, I know the marriage is the best way.”

“You’re not as stupid as you look.”

Roman glares and shakes the donut at me. “But doing it through marriage, it puts you on the stage in such a way that we’re placed in a weakened position, at least until this goes through. We need this more than they do.”

“It’s chess, Romo.” He frowns and I sigh. “Trust me when I say they need me more. Weaken yourself to gain greater power. That’s what I want, and that’s what this is.”

“You’re presenting yourself—us—as suddenly weak on the New York stage? The rest will be watching.”

I smile. “I know. As a fixer, a hammer, a cleaner, whatever you want to call it, what I am now makes them all panic. But moving in such a traditional manner makes things look how I want them to look. To the Mulligan clan, to the rest of the underworld, to Heaven.” I stand, because that’s all I’m willing to share.

He stands too. “Okay, okay. But I thought the whole reason for this meeting with the Mulligans was to announce your engagement. Why’d they show up at the club last night?” He stops. “Do not tell me what I’m thinking is right.”

I release my fist and go over to the wet bar. I push off the lid of the espresso my brother got me at the little Italian place he loves and pour some Irish whiskey into it.

Not much, just a little. I’m not sure why. Perhaps it’s symbolic of the meeting, or perhaps I just need an extra push to the caffeine. I take a sip and turn to my brother. “To get a look at what we do. Your thinking is, for once, spot on. Heaven Mulligan believes the meeting is to discuss a business partnership. She doesn’t know the truth.”

“And now she knows you’re the great Matteo Villani, crown prince of the orgy. I think that needs to go on your business card. Really make it clear what skills you bring to the table, you know?”

I take another sip. New York’s changed since we visited here years before. Now the coffee’s decent—when you know where to look. Almost as good as home.

Home.

My past actions have weighed heavily on the family. What I did?—

The past is done. Instead, I’m looking to the future, to my domination. The crown prince of the orgy, Roman says.

Fuck that.

Exclusive sex clubs are perfect to launder through, to take care of all kinds of business and make both clean and shady money. Many would be content with that, content without the other power I wield in secrets and revenge and protection. In fixes. Many, perhaps, but not me.

I want it all. And I’ll have it all. That’s ice in my veins, and I’m fueled by hard, ruthless ambition. Heaven might be pretty, but she’s a disposable pawn. Once she serves her purpose, that is.

“I don’t give a fuck what people call me,” I say. “The clubs are pivotal to our success. We own parts of Europe through them. But I have different plans for this place.”

“That involve a strategic alliance.”

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