Page 21 of Christmas with the Mafia
“Yes, it’s not easy starting a business from scratch, is it? I mean, endless videos going nowhere at first almost made me give up. But then I got my first order, then my second, and soon I was getting three orders every day. I mean, it’s spiraling, Nico, and I may even have to rent a larger condo soon.”
“I get what you mean.”
I maintain a grave expression, but I’m laughing inside. She is so adorable, clueless but adorable and nothing like I’m used to. She is refreshing and addictive, and for a man who doesn’t believe in fate, I am fast becoming converted.
I notice her ex-boyfriend being escorted from the room and spin her so her back is against them. She doesn’t need to witness that. He is in her past, and I am her future now. He will endure an uncomfortable evening courtesy of my guards, and his date will be free to find another companion, one who doesn’t treat her with such disrespect.
Meanwhile, I am about to make another offer tonight that cannot be refused.
I tilt her face to meet mine and whisper, “I have a plan for revenge.”
“You do?”
Her eyes widen, and I am lost in them. They are sodeep, sucking me in and capturing my attention far more than anyone has before.
“They say the best way to get over someone is to, well, get under someone else.”
“Excuse me.”
I grip her a little tighter. “Relax, not literally. What I mean is, two can play at that game, and you could have the most spectacular revenge ever.”
“How?”
I twirl her to the side of the room, away from the speakers, and as I spin her behind a white pillar, I push her back against the marble and lean forward, whispering, “As it happens, I need a fiancée for Christmas. To take home to my family to get me off the hook of an arranged marriage. Your revenge will be the publicity that brings, enjoying the benefits of being my intended with the kudos that go with it. You will be the talk of the town, the woman everyone wants to be around, and your ex-boyfriend will notice your face everywhere and hear your name on everyone’s lips. Your business will power past its current level, and you will be assured of success.”
The shock on her face is worthy of a great painting, and she gasps, “Marry you?”
“I didn’t say that.”
I’ll keep that surprise for later.
“I need you to pretend you are in love with me and said yes to my proposal. In return, I’ll help you get your revenge and expand your business.”
“In name only though.”
Her eyes widen. “I mean, we wouldn’t actually, well–”
She blushes, and I lean closer, running my thumb down her soft face as I whisper, “For appearances’ sake, we may have to kiss from time to time.”
“Hmm, that could work.”
Her impish grin steals a little of my heart, and her eyes gleam as she whispers, “Do you think we should practice?”
“That depends on whether you accept my, um, proposal.”
“And I would have revenge and exposure.”
Remembering her previous outfit, I’d say exposure isn’t new to her, but I nod, serious as we conduct business.
“Of course.”
“And you would require me to spend Christmas with your family.”
“It’s just a couple of days.”
My gaze burn into hers as I will her to accept and she blushes, her breathing erratic as she nods, her tongue swiping her lips as she whispers, “I can help you out; after all, it’s the least I can do.”
The moment when a plan comes together will never get old. Success drives my passion, and right in this moment, I have scored a direct hit. The deal of my lifetime because it sets me free while chaining her to me. To control another person’s life is a serious turn-on for me, and she doesn’t know it yet, but there will be more than just a few stolen kisses involved in this arrangement.
