Page 114 of Empire of Seduction

I followed the sound. She was lounging on an air mattress in a room no bigger than a closet, her attention on her phone. Something deep in my chest relaxed, like I was relieved at the very sight of her. I leaned against the door jamb and folded my arms. “Here you are.”

Jolting, she lowered her mobile and stared at me. “What are you doing up here?”

“Coming to find you. Andiamo. Let’s go.” I motioned with my hands.

“I’m relaxing, Vito.” She went back to playing with her phone. “I don’t have time for you right now.”

“I don’t care. You’re coming with me.”

A noise like a snort escaped her mouth. “Not really in the mood, bro. Period, remember? Let’s put a pin in that idea for a few more days.”

I inhaled, my nostrils flaring, and struggled for patience. This woman would cause the Pope to lose his temper. “I’m taking you on a date and we need to get moving. Allora, up and grab your coat.”

She blinked at me several times. “A date?” I nodded, but the confusion remained in her gaze. “Why?”

“Because I want to. And you will like it, te lo prometto.” I checked my watch. “But we will miss it if you keep arguing with me.”

“I don’t understand.” Slowly, she sat up, her dark hair in glorious disarray. “We have a situationship, Vito. It works for both of us just fine. There’s no need for you to wine and dine me.”

A situationship? I would have to look that up later. For now, I wanted her to follow directions. “I would like to do something nice for you. For us.”

“Okay, noted. I appreciate it. See you tomorrow.”

This was ridiculous. She was determined to fight me and question me on every little thing. “Maggie,” I said, putting a healthy deal of menace into my voice. “I don’t like to be late. Therefore, you have three minutes to get ready to leave with me or I am putting you in the car myself. Capisce?”

It should be obvious to her by now that I always meant what I said. I would absolutely throw her over my shoulder and load her into the SUV outside.

She rose and gestured to her jeans and Frank Zappa t-shirt. “Uh, hello? I’ve been working all day. I’m clearly not dressed for a night out.”

“Then you better hurry. You have two and half minutes.”

“Vito—”

“Two minutes and twenty-eight seconds.”

“At least tell me where we’re going. And I hope it’s not fancy because all of my clothes are back at my place.”

“Two minutes and twenty seconds.”

“Goddamn it.” She grabbed her tiny overnight bag and pushed past me. I heard the bathroom door slam. Water started running.

I smiled to myself as I updated Cesare, who would drive us to the jet. I also updated the pilot. Everything would be easier for Maggie if she didn’t fight me. Though I did like her claws. It made fucking her into oblivion that much sweeter.

I also texted Paloma and Maz, just in case they needed to know my whereabouts. Six guards were coming with me for protection, but it never hurt to be cautious.Plan, and then have a backup plan.

Maggie emerged five minutes later—a predictable defiance of my time limit—in a long-sleeved Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs t-shirt and a sexy pair of jeans, her hair pulled up in a slick ponytail. “This is all I have to wear,” she said. “So it’ll have to do.”

“You look beautiful. Come.” I already had her coat, which I helped her put on, then I held out my hand. She took it and I led her down the hall and toward the stairs.

Outside, I opened the car door for her. As Maggie climbed in, she said under her breath, “Okay, you’re really freaking me out.”

“Good.” I shut the door behind her and walked around to the other side. Adelmo and Cesare were with me, and a second SUV with more guards would follow behind us.

I clasped her hand as we rode to the airport, content to have her near me. To breathe her same air and hear the rustle of her clothes as she shifted position. Something had been missing the past two days, a sense of rightness. But sitting here beside her, I felt calm and clear headed, like all the worries and stresses of my life had evaporated.

“Are we . . . ” Her face pressed to the glass as we neared the tiny airport. “Are we flying somewhere?”

“Yes.”

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