Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 54522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
“It’s uncustomary and rather rude to make a pass on a woman who’s holding onto another man’s arm,” I say as I flash him a charming warning smile. “I’m sure there are plenty of other lovey ladies for you to hit on inside my casino.”
I’m a gentleman outside work, despite what many think. That said, I have my limits.
“Yes, of course,” he laughs. His unflappable demeanor is suspicious. “I just assumed that since she’s so young that she might not be yours yet.”
With that, I slide my arm out from Isla’s and stand her behind me. With a snap of my fingers, Junior is here to keep an eye on her for me while I deal with this arrogant prick.
“You don’t look familiar to me, friend,” I say to the man who now realizes he’s crossed a line and pissed me off. “But let me help you understand how much it displeases me to be insulted inside my own club.”
I roll up the cuff of my sleeve, revealing a forearm with every inch covered in ink. I ball my hand into a clenched fist.
“Hey, I didn’t mean anything by it,” he says as the glass in his hand shakes. “I was merely complimenting the lady on her—”
I lift my arm to throw the punch before he’s done talking. But before I can land it squarely on his jaw, Alonzo intervenes and pulls me back.
“Whoa, boss, hold on!” he says, stepping in before things get out of hand, much to this guy’s relief. He turns to the man and apologizes before sending him to the bar for a complimentary drink on the house.
I shake Alonzo’s grip off of me. “You’d better have a really fucking good reason for having done that,” I growl at him as I try not to make a scene at my event.
“Yeah, I do. That guy was one of our new business partners, an ally. You almost clocked a new client. Maybe you should take a walk and try to calm down a bit, Vincent. Your obsession with this girl threatens to weaken our business deals if you keep up like this.”
I want to shoot back at him, but I know Alonzo is right in this instance. So, I simply turn around and grab Isla back by the arm again.
“We’re leaving now,” I say to her as I walk toward the exit.
“Sir,” Junior says from behind me. “What would you like me to tell your guests?”
“Thank them for coming. Tell them I have business to attend to. Just handle it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Elevator doors closing, I released Isla’s arm, composing myself. But instead of standing there quietly, she presses me on what just happened.
“What the hell was that about?” she asks with fire in her eyes. “I didn’t need you to come to my rescue. That guy was harmless, and I was finally enjoying being out of that god-awful prison for a moment. Why did you ruin it? I was doing what you told me to do.”
“That prick was not harmless, trust me,” I say, still combating the adrenaline rushing through my veins. “And it wasn’t about you.”
“What was it about then?”
“Don’t worry about it.” I turn to look at the elevator keypad. Wishing that the ride to the penthouse would hurry so that I can get out of this enclosed box with Isla looking like temptation personified.
“I don’t get it,” she continues as she steps closer and stands right in front of me. “Why keep me here? Why rush to my defense as if you’re protecting my honor or something? Why me?”
I feel a sort of feral desperation take over as I look at her. I am Vincent Moretti, the most powerful mafia don in the city, and yet here, inside of my building with this feisty little ballerina, I feel powerless with her.
“Because,” I blurt out without thinking. “You’re the only thing I can’t control.”
Just as the elevator dings at the penthouse level, Isla reaches her hand around and pushes the button to close the doors.
“What are you—” before I can finish speaking, she lunges toward me and puts her mouth on mine.
The kiss coming from this soft, gentle dancer is hard. Her slight, tiny body presses against mine with all of her minuscule weight. I fight against the overwhelming urge to pin her against the wall of the elevator and take her now.
When I feel her tongue slide against my own, it’s more than I can bear. In an instant of incredible internal conflict, I realize that if I don’t pull away, I risk letting Isla Hart ruin me.
Since I can’t allow that to happen, I seize the moment to regain control and see if I can bring her to her knees. I smash the elevator’s “hold” button with my fist. Isla looks at me with uncertain eyes and opens her mouth to ask what is happening. I don’t give her the chance to ask that question. Instead, I flip her position, pinning her back against the cold metal wall of the elevator, and slide my hand up her dress.