by C. M. Steele
“Yes and no. Obviously you’re here for her, but I know damn well you were supposed to give me a rundown on the expected financials of this place. It’s been four days now, and so far all I see is you ogling that girl without any feedback for me.” She’s young, but I’m not as old as my brother.
“She’s probably as old as Aria,” I say, reminding him that his wife is young. Ivy’s father took out a loan from Domani six months ago, and not once has he received a full payment. Needless to say, that can’t continue, so this is going to fuck up any chance I have with Ivy unless I use it to my advantage, and I think I have a plan.
“Not quite. She’s nineteen, and she’s a part owner of this company. Her father is sending her into the poor house. He used her to get a loan besides the one to us. When my men came to collect, he wanted to toss me another deal. I didn’t elaborate at the time because even speaking of it feels like a betrayal to my queen that I can’t stand for—offering his daughter to knock off some of the debt, but you know I wouldn’t dare consider something vile like that.” And my plan for Vincent goes out the window because all I want is his death.
“I’ll kill him myself,” I snarl, reaching for the door handle. If he’s back there, hiding, I’ll blow his brains out. Dom grabs my shoulder and yanks me back.
“Hold the fuck up.” All I’m seeing is red. The thought of him offering my woman to my brother, my married brother, sends me into a rage. My fists clench on my thighs at visions of her falling for my brother.
I know it’s not Dom’s fault that he received the offer. Many fucks who are shady don’t have an ounce of moral fiber when it comes to women and children, but Dom most certainly does.
“That’s where your problem lies. She loves her father, from what my intel has explained, and worse, she doesn’t know the damage he’s doing to the company. As far as she’s aware, the rent went up on the property along with the taxes, which is partially true, but your princess over there is the exact opposite of you. She struggles with math, so she doesn’t understand the rates and figures he’s tossing at her. It doesn’t help that most of that shit is probably doctored.”
“Where the hell did you find all this stuff out from?” I hardly know much about her, and I listen intently to every single whisper with a hint of hearing more.
“The other girl, Ella that works here. Aria has done some chit-chatting for me with her and learned that Ivy would do anything for her father.”
“Damn. Okay. Well, they say opposites attract. Besides, the business itself is making a killing. From the past four days of recon, I can say without a doubt that they have to be making a forty percent profit after expenses, including your loan repayment plan.”
My anger at her father only grows because he’s a piece of shit all the way around. He feeds into her weakness, using it to scheme along.
She has no idea the level of deception he has perpetrated on her, and that guts me. Day in and day out, Ivy works her fingers to the bone, only to get played. What kind of father does that to his only child?
“Look, we’ll talk to her father privately. Make him an offer on the business, so that you’ll manage the books for a month and then take his half of the business. If he’s got a problem with that, we’ll take the whole damn thing and tell his daughter what he’s up to and leave it for her to decide his fate.”
“I don’t know if that’s going to work.” Because nothing but death is suitable enough for him.
“Well, it doesn’t matter because he’s currently tied up in my home, waiting for your arrival to discuss the matter at hand, so please give your keys to Enrico and let’s go. He’ll take your car home.” Dom raises his hand, and Enrico approaches the vehicle.
“Okay.” I toss them to him through the window. “Treat it good.” My Mercedes is the only car I drive. It’s not like I can’t afford more cars, but I love this one.
“Of course.”
Luigi drives us back to the house in record time, or maybe it’s that my mind is focused on the hatred I have for a man I’ve never met. All the way there, I think about how I still haven’t spoken to Ivy except to be fucking rude. Hell, I don’t even know if she’s asked me my name, and I sure as fuck haven’t introduced myself properly. Instead, I watch, stalk, lurk like a fucking creeper.
Today she seemed upset at me from the moment I walked in today, but I’m not sure why. I don’t understand women like most men do, but I wanted to swipe my thumb across her brow and erase her scrunched-up expression. After what I said, I understand why she was pissed, but then again, I couldn’t help the jealousy that flowed through me. It was a dick move, but I’ll have to make it up to her later—after I get my hands on her father.
We arrive back at the house, and Aria hands us a drink while giving Dom a quick kiss, but of course my brother isn’t satisfied with that and pulls her in for a deeper one like we don’t have shit to handle right now.
“Where is he?” I snarl at my brother.
“In the shed. Let’s go have a talk.” He walks toward the back and then turns on his heels back to Aria and pulls her in for another kiss. “I missed you, amore mia.”
“Same, my king. Now, I’d say dispose of him, but given the unfolding circumstances, we’ll have to save that for another day.”
“Damn, you’re sexy when you’re ruthless.”
“I’ve learned from the best. I’ll let you guys get to business.” She walks away, and we head to the back after polishing off a glass of bourbon. I love Aria, but I’m not in the humor for their loving affection. It could be because I want to kill Ivy’s father, or maybe it’s got to do with the fact that I have to stay away from the only woman I’ve ever wanted.
“Give me your gun,” Dom demands.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t trust you not to shoot the fucker.”
“You’ve got a fair point.” I hand it over with the safety on, and he tucks it in his belt. We step into the shed, which is as large as a garage in the back of the house so that Dom could handle his interrogations out of the house for the most part, plus it has an incredibly nice drainage system.
Dom’s guards open the door, and we step inside. “Mr. Vincent, we seem to have a problem,” Dom says. “You owe me a lot of fucking money and from the looks of it you have no intention of paying it back. I just can’t have that. Stealing from me is stealing from my kid’s mouth.”
“Isn’t there some way we can work this out? I’m not even the one who has the loan. It’s all in my daughter’s name.” He switched the business license to hers in hopes of escaping his debts and probably trying to run from us. I’ve looked at some of the documents I could get my hands on.
“That’s pretty pathetic of you.”
“She is the one who should be here.” I backhand him across the face, sending his head popping to the side. Dom was right. I’d put a bullet in his head if I had my gun.
“Nico, remember the end game,” my brother says through gritted teeth. I nod and crack my knuckles. I’ve never been one of the enforcers, getting my hands dirty with the blood of our enemies, but now seems like a great time to get started.
Vincent shakes his head, trying to focus. “So you have a deal for me?” This greedy son of a bitch.
I smirk. “You won’t like it, but it does allow you to still steal breaths of life. Ones you don’t fucking deserve.”
“What is it?” His eyes are wide with excitement as if we have any goodwill toward the sick fuck. All I can imagine is my fist finding his face over and over. Before we leave I’m going to dole out a few lessons on Ivy’s behalf.
“You are going to turn the business over to us,” Dom says.
He shakes his head like he has a fucking choice. It’s so damn laughable if I wasn’t already beyond livid. “So you guys are scammers. You suckered me out of my business.” He’s got brass balls, but I’m going to fix that.
“Nico.” I step up to him and gut check the asshole, making him double over in pain before I smash his junk wi
th my two-thousand-dollar custom Tom Ford’s. I move back a step, and stand with my arms crossed, face straight, holding back my urge to kick him in the head.
“See, you need to understand that I’m not a man to be fucked with, and neither is my little brother here. He’s our accountant and doesn’t like to be taken advantage of. When numbers just don’t add up it sends him into a rage.”
“Can’t she…” I punch him right in the face, breaking his nose.
“One more word about your daughter in anything but a loving and admirable way, and I’ll take my time killing you, leaving you washed up on her doorstep as a fucking present,” I warn the bastard.
“Okay, okay,” he says, bleeding with every breath. “What’s in it for me?” God, is he stupid or just a glutton for punishment?
I grab him by the hair and yank his head back. “I’m itching to kill you, but you don’t seem to grasp that simple concept. You get to live. If that’s not enough…we could end you now and take everything.”
“So do we have an agreement?” Domani asks. Nodding his head vigorously, he surrenders. “You sit tight while we get the paperwork ready.”
As soon as we’re in the house, Dom says, “Ice those knuckles and put some antiseptic on them. I might have to let you handle some people that owe us money next time. Then again, I’m betting all that rage is for your little Ivy.”
“Damn right. I’ll destroy anyone that dares come between us.”
Chapter Four
Ivy
When I finally make it through the door at home, I see my stepfather passed out on the sofa, but this time he’s covered in bruises, black eyes with his face bandaged. I wonder if he stumbled out of a bar or something. “Did you fall?”
“Yes. Now mind your damn business.” He’s lying, but it’s not like I give a shit after the world of mess he’s left for me to clean up. Not to mention the lack of electricity. I’ve called the light company, but we apparently owe two grand somehow. They won’t discuss it unless I pay the past due. Assholes.
“I’m trying, but you’re sending me into spiraling debt and threats which I’m sure is what happened to you. Keep your head up so you don’t drown in your own blood,” I say, even though I don’t give a shit if he does. This mess, the pain in my head, the sick fucker wanting payment in a whole different way makes me feel nothing but disgust for the man in front of me.
I walk away and head into my bedroom, hoping that the lights are back on, but I knew he wouldn’t manage to pay the bill. It’s futile to even believe for a moment that I could depend on him. My heart aches, and my head is filled with so much anxiety that I can’t fall sleep easily, so I barely get four hours before my alarm goes off on my phone.
Work is brutal and made even more so by the absence of my favorite distraction. I don’t know how much more I can take before I decide to run. With thugs on my heels for my stepfather’s debt, maybe it’s wise to leave as soon as possible with the money in the safe which is my paychecks I’ve never been able to collect. My luck my father would have me arrested for embezzlement if I take it. I’m just grateful he hasn’t tried to break into that one. Although I do have it hidden.
****
It’s been two days since I’ve last seen the handsome Professor, as Ella calls him. Although something screams in my head that he’s most definitely not a teacher, but I’d love for him to instruct me and my body, over and over.
He hasn’t come in since I lost my temper with him. I regret it, even if he was a jerk and deserved my anger. A part of me felt like his presence eased my shitty day, making it a treat to feel special. Yes, men hang around, trying to get my attention, but it’s like he wanted my attention but didn’t at the same time. It makes me insane because it only adds to the damn stress that the café already brings to my life.
I drop my head on the stack of papers in front of me. After seeing my stepfather looking like he got a beating, I know he’s been lying to me about the money. I’ll never get out of this without selling the place.
Tears fill my eyes, and I reach for a tissue to wipe them when I notice a shadow at the office door. I look up, hoping it’s my stepfather and that it’s not at the same time. I’m shocked to see my rude, handsome big tipper.
“We’re closed. There’s no coffee right now,” I explain when it strikes me that the café’s been closed for three hours. “Wait! How did you get in here? I’m sure I locked the door.”
“I own this place,” he says with a straight face, looking around the room with distaste. His smug face returns to mine and there isn’t an ounce of humor in it. He’s in a tailored three-piece suit, looking ever the professor, or more like a male model. I want to crawl up his body and smack him at the same damn time.
“Have you lost your mind? You don’t own this place.” I run my eyes down to make sure he’s not carrying a weapon, and then I see his busted knuckles that are starting to heal. “Where did you get those from?” A sense of dread fills me since I’m sure I already know the answer.
“So I’m here to make sure the books are accurate and the company finances are spot on.” He ignores my question, refusing to even look in the direction I’m pointing. His sexy eyes never leave mine for a second.
“Who are you?” He waltzes in here with a different attitude than the previous days. It’s almost as if he’s a different person although my heart’s still fluttering the same way it does whenever he’s around. The prick.
He twists the side of his mouth into a wry smile. “I suppose that’s important. I’m Niccolò Bianchi. Like I said before, I’m the new owner.”
The blood rushes to my ears and my face flushes with anger as I digest his words. “Bullshit. My stepfather couldn’t sell my share of this company,” I inform him. Although I wouldn’t put it past my stepfather, I still have the law on my side.
“Well, technically, you both did. Although I’m guessing this isn’t your signature, then?”
He shows me a document with my signature on it, but I’m certain that I didn’t sign my property rights over to anyone. “That’s mine. How?” Paling, I hold the paper, nearly crumbling it in my hand as I shake.
“Your father’s a piece of shit.” I look up at him and see a sense of remorse in his eyes like he feels guilty for scamming my stepfather out of our business. Either way, I am not taking this handsome fucker’s shit.
Standing up, I take it and rip the document in half in front of him. He scowls and shakes his head, but I don’t care if he likes it. “Still, it’s not legal, so you have to go.”
“You’re cute when you’re angry. As it is, I don’t have to go anywhere. I might not have the rights to your half, but I have his,” he reiterates
“Probably gotten under duress, making the contract void,” I say with pride, having learned that much in school.
His lips twist up into a smirk. “You’re smarter than they give you credit for.”
Did he just call me stupid? “Fuck you. You have to leave.”
“No, I don’t have to leave, and I sure as fuck won’t. Now watch that pretty mouth of yours.”
I control my blush and give him as much sass as my tired soul can muster. “Why? Did you get tired of watching it? What were you doing—scoping out the place so you can steal it from us?”
He laughs, pissing me off.
“Steal it? Please. You and your father owe me a lot of money. A lot.”
“I only owe the bank,” I insist, knowing I’d never agree to deal with anyone else no matter how good looking he is.
He shakes his head, and reality seeps into my bones. I gasp. Could his brother be the guy who accosted me outside the other day? Oh my goodness a wave of nausea rolls through my stomach.
“That’s where you’re wrong. Those supposed bank documents aren’t legitimate. He lied. The loan came from the Bianchi family. No payment on the loans means one of two options: the business is ours, or bodies get buried and the business is still ours.”
The color leaves my face and I shake my
head in disbelief. He’s no classy professor from Northwestern or some prestigious college around here; instead, he’s a common criminal. “So you’re a thug.”
“I’m a businessman, and I don’t take kindly to crooks.”
“Says the guy who robs people of their businesses.”
“Just for your information, if you default on a loan, the bank does the same fucking thing I am doing, except I’m not trying to take it from you personally—only your father’s control of it. You can keep your precious coffee shop. I’m just trying to recoup the losses.” He inches closer, leaning his hands on my desk and staring into my eyes with his sexy glasses that I want to smack off his gorgeous face.
“What do you mean? What do you want?” Does he want me to pay him back on my knees or something like his asshole brother?
“I’ll be handling the books from now on, and your father is no longer allowed to step inside this business or what he got will be a hell of a lot worse.” He pauses and then growls, “What the fuck is that?”
That’s when I remember I rolled my sleeves up when I overheated while I was cleaning up the back. I follow his gaze to the purplish yellow bruise that still shows the outline of a handprint. “Nothing.”
His eyes heat with dangerous anger and as much as I should be terrified of this man, I know he’s not pissed at me; he’s concerned. “Don’t tell me it’s nothing, Ivy.”
“I’m surprised you remembered my name.”
“I haven’t forgotten it. My manners, on the other hand, I left those somewhere else where you’re considered. Let me try this again. My name is Niccolò Bianchi, and I am the accountant for the family and our financial institution. I’ve obtained the rights to this company via your father, who, I might add, wasn’t pleased about giving them to my brother and myself, but considering he owed us a fortune and we took you into consideration, this is the best we can do.”
“What do you mean you took me into consideration? So your goon of a brother can take it out on my pussy?” I challenge, pressing my hands on the desk and glaring at him.