Page 37 of Pain and Pleasure

He twirls his empty wine glass in his hand as he continues to stare at me, making me feel as if he's put me on the spot. I must admit I never really thought to ask him for help. Not only is he busy with most of his other endeavors majority of the time, I'm not sure how he could even help me to begin with. It's almost as if he could hear the last thought in my head from what he says next.

"Esmeralda, I run a string of successful businesses, most of them restaurants and clubs. I think I know a thing or two about business plans and proposals. I don't just slap a wad of cash on a bank counter and then poof, a business appears," he says as he refills his wine.

I straighten up in my chair, feeling a little bit angry at the way he just spoke to me. I know I haven't asked him for help, but he doesn't need to explain how opening a business works to me as if I'm a child. Then again, I guess old habits really do die hard.

"I'd love to help you, Emmie," he says earnestly and it makes my heart soften a little bit.

I can't imagine working with Dante as a business partner, but that doesn't mean that he can't give me a few pointers on something he's successfully done for many years in his life. So I decide to humor him, or please him. I'm not really sure to be honest.

"Fine, you can help me with my business proposal. Though I'm going to tell you now, I'm asking for help, not for micromanaging. I've been crafting this for years and I won't have anybody’s suggestions deter me from what I envision," I explain and he smiles in response.

"I'd love nothing more than to see how your creative mind works, mi ciela. In the meantime…" he gets up and tosses back almost a whole glass of wine. He seems calm and impassive tonight, but with the way that he's drinking I'm assuming the last couple days on his trip weren't too peaceful.

"Wanna talk about it?" I ask.

He holds his hand out to me in offering and I take it as he pulls me up, shaking his head slightly as his lips find my jawline.

"Not right now, but there is something I need to ask of you," he says against my skin. I tilt my head back to look at him.

"What is it?" I ask, feeling a small shiver snake its way down my spine. It's not a good feeling, it's an apprehensive one.

I can tell that I'm right because he gives me a slightly sheepish look.

"Just tell me, Dante, what is it?" I demand. His fingers stroke my chin before he sighs.

"Your father hasn't shown any amount of sightings in recent weeks. I have leads telling me that he knows you're with me, which could be the leading cause. But I think…" he trails off and I grow impatient because I already know what he's about to ask.

"Just say it," I tell him. He gives me a sorry look in response.

"I need you to go with Sergio to the club for a few nights, see if he'll sniff out your presence there so we can get a better idea of his weaknesses."

I roll my eyes, exasperated. I'm so tired of being the bait and tackle for my father, but I'd also be silly if I thought my ties with him were completely over and done. That won't happen until he's dead and he and I both know it.

"And what exactly do you need me to do while I'm there?" I ask him.

"It's actually an exciting business opportunity if you think about it," he says, a small and arrogant smirk flirting with his lips. I hate that it looks so good on him because it makes me smile too.

"Oh really? And what does this business opportunity entail?" I ask.

He wraps his arms around me, pulling me close as he talks into my hair.

"Some experience in management. I'll even give you a fancy title. I was thinking...Creative Director. You'll be in charge of staffing and all creative development," he explains as he kisses my neck.

"Tell me more," I all but moan out, and he chuckles darkly into my ear.

"And also maybe a very specialthank youfrom the boss." He licks around my ear and I shiver, gripping his biceps.

"And when do I get that?" I whisper.

Before I know it, he's picking me up and wrapping my legs around his waist. I stare at his wild eyes as he sets me down on the dining room table, going to his knees and looking me in the eye as he does it.

"Right now," he growls, before diving between my thighs.

17

Esmeralda

It'sSunday night and I'm at the nightclub with just Sergio.

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