Page 58 of Savage Enemy

“We’ll let everyone believe the decision rests solely with me. And we will together weed out the men who only want you for the power that comes with your hand. At the very least, this gives you space to find love on your own terms.”

She nodded. “How would we determine?—”

“If they’re only after power, Benedetta, they won’t court you—they’ll be courting me.”

She returned to her seat.

“The contract’s already been drawn up.”

Grabbing the leather bag at her side, she pulled out a large envelope, and handed it to me.

“You should know I was planning to come and plead my case with you this afternoon anyway.”

I skimmed over the pages inside the envelope. The terms seemed in order, so I added my signature on the line above my name and handed the contract to her.

“Let me know when your father signs it.”

She picked up my pen and signed her name beside mine.

“No need. He died this morning,” she said. “And thanks to you, I’m now his only surviving heir. No death announcement has been made at this point. I’ll leave that to you now.”

As she pushed the papers back at me, she radiated a challenging vibe, the look in her eyes daring me to deny what I had done to her family.

I wouldn’t deny it, not to her.

Before Val came back into my life, I was set to inherit the power Capaldo’s men would have given me.

Now? I had it anyway.

I locked on to Benedetta’s stare with mine, scrutinizing her intention, then, satisfied, I gave her a nod.

“Good. So how are we getting Val back home?”

My new business partner smiled, as if she’d beaten me.

“I’m glad you asked. There’s a masquerade ball in Chicago in three days. The Moscatelli family always attends.”

“Christ, don’t tell me the extent of your plan hinges on storming their house and abducting Val while they’re out at a party.”

Benedetta leaned back in her chair.

“You don’t need to storm any castles, Stefano. I think you’ll want to do it a little more quietly. A delicate touch is the only way to get her out alive.”

Out of pretense alone, I nodded at her suggestion.

“Go on. What are you suggesting?”

There was still a good chance I’d say fuck it and do whatever needed to be done anyway, gentle touch or otherwise.

“I have an invitation to the ball,” she said, “and you can go as my date. Since it’s a masquerade, maybe no one will figure out who you are behind the mask before you can make your play. But if they do, well, you now control my holdings in Chicago and have a legitimate reason to be there.”

“Where are they keeping her?” I snapped, losing what little remained of my patience.

“I don’t know what they’re going to do with her, but this event will be the best place for you to make your case to her father. I strongly recommend talking to her older brother first.

“Not only is Marco Moscatelli the heir, but I hear he has big plans for his family. Rumor has it, he’s been maneuvering his father for years, setting up everything the way he wants it to eliminate any confusion when he takes over.”

He planned to take out his old man.

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