Chapter 6

Roman

"Do you want me to go after her, sir?" Leo's question cut through my train of thought. I heard him crystal clear but continued scrolling through the club report in front of me. Leo knew better than to repeat his question. My silence was enough of an answer.

"She will come back," I said shortly, dropping the iPad on the coffee table. "Palermo has his attention on the south shiphouse now. We need to move before he gets suspicious."

"I thought we opened up the south shiphouse to divert his attention from the Denbo basement. You know it carries everything we're working for."

I work with strategy and time. The Denbo basement was indeed our first operation and our secret hideout. Palermo had never really bothered about what I do outside of work. His only concern is getting the paperwork done and having his bank account loaded with money.

One of the things I learned while serving Palermo was that loyalty is a thin thread. It can be cut at any moment. But power? Power is different. If you possess it, it's hard for anyone to bend you.

Palermo has power. The kind I crave to pump through my blood. The kind I want to rip from him when I finally turn everything in my favor. He won't see it coming, and when it happens, it will be a scene worth rejoicing over.

"Gazzo has shaken him. Remember, he always reminds us about the thin thread of loyalty. It doesn't matter how loyal you've been—if he gets even a little suspicious of you, that's the end."

"So, are you saying he's doubting you now?" Leo asked, shifting in his seat.

A smirk appeared at the corner of my lips. I have never let my thirst for vengeance interfere with my work for Palermo. I have never given him a reason to doubt me. "I bring him more than he could ever bring himself. He can't cut me off, even if he wants to. Silver Charm alone is bringing him billions of dollars—all because of me. What do you think will happen if I stop running those clubs?"

"Palermo would be doomed. He can't get anyone better than you. But regarding the lady..." Leo's words trailed off when a knock sounded at the door.

"I told you she'd be back," I said, picking up the untouched beer from the table and pouring some into a glass.

On a normal day, I don't welcome visitors into my home. Apart from Leo.

Whatever business I have, I handle it outside. Women? They get it in a hotel.

Yet, for the first time, I entertained a strange woman in my home. And the crazy part? I want her back again. Something I never do. I never see the same woman twice. It's always one time and onto the next.

But something about Maya fascinates me. I know whatever I feel toward her is purely lust. But I want her. And she's damn well going to be mine, whether she likes it or not.

In fact, she became mine the moment she swayed her sexy legs on stage last night. The way my cock grew hard just at the sight of her smooth, long legs—I knew right then I wasn't going to let this crazy woman go.

Yes, she's crazy because she doesn't know who she's messing with. That mouth of hers had the nerve to talk back to me. The same mouth that screamed my name last night.

Fuck.

My cock was already hardening, thinking about all the things I did to her body. And all the things I'll do again.

Forever.

I didn't stop the smirk from spreading across my face as Leo walked back, Maya trailing behind him.

She wasn't wearing her heels anymore.

She was holding them.

And her dress? I wanted to rip it apart and bury my face between her breasts, sucking the life out of them.

Fuck.

Those damn sexy legs were glistening in the morning sunlight streaming through the room. So, she walked out on me and strutted down the streets, fully aware of how insanely sexy her legs are?

Let's even put the legs aside. Her whole body is a masterpiece.

How many men have seen her like that?

Anger tightened in my chest.

Her body is mine to look at.

Mine to touch.

Mine to pleasure.

Mine forever.

"Done holding on to your pride, mi amor?" I said softly as she finally reached the couch. A mix of anger, fear, and desperation flickered across her face.

I knew that look well.

She had no choice but to come running back to me. She won't survive Chicago alone. Chicago isn't safe for her.

But I am.

No, you're a danger to her, Roman.

I shoved the thought away.

Danger is my name, and she's already in my world.

"I'm not here because of you. I'm here because I saw someone," she spoke for the first time, her voice firm. But I saw through the facade. She was pretending.

She's a daddy's girl. But I like how she doesn't bend easily.

It's only a matter of time before she bends for me.

All of her.

"Who? Your father?" I asked. She's an only child, so it wouldn't be surprising if her father tried to bring her back. Probably to shove her into his so-called business deal.

Poor thing doesn't even have a clue what kind of business her father is really involved in.

"None of your business," she nearly spat. "Let's get this over with."

"You want to have sex with me again?" My tone carried a hint of amusement, but her expression was full of anger. I enjoyed pushing her buttons.

"You're an asshole for thinking I would sleep with you again."

"Learn how to talk to me," I warned. She should know better than to push me. There are consequences.

Leo was still standing, probably debating whether to warn her about my temper or let me handle it myself.

I chose to be amused.

I wanted to see how far she could go with her little act of bravery.

"This is how I talk. If you can't handle it, not my problem. I just need two days. After that, I'll be out of here."

Leo and I exchanged a quick glance.

Seems like she hadn't fully understood what I told her before.

She's already in my world.

There's no out.

It's a forever deal.

I don't give a fuck about her father or anyone else in her life.

She's mine.

Fucking mine.

"Mi am—"

"Maya. I don't need any childish nicknames."

Her tone shifted something inside of me. My fingers tightened around the glass I was holding. Leo noticed the change in my demeanor.

But Maya had no idea what her words were about to awaken. She thought letting my guard down for a woman was normal.

Fuck nicknames. I don't hesitate to put someone in their place.

But Maya?

Maya has me frozen.

I don't raise a hand to women, but my words? They cut like knives.

And my touch? It has them begging. For more.

"Sir, do you want me to get you a glass of water?"

I don't know if Leo suddenly became an idiot or if he had a slip of the tongue.

"Leave, Leo," I uttered calmly, my eyes never leaving Maya.

"Right away, sir." Leo bowed and left.

Maya glanced behind her as the door closed. A flicker of nervousness crossed her face.

"I don't have much time. Let's get—"

A chuckle rumbled from my chest, cutting her off.

"You think I have all the time in the world, mi amor?"

"Stop calling me that!" she snapped through gritted teeth, stepping closer.

If only she knew how much I wanted to rip that dress off her.

I set my glass down, giving her my full attention. Not that I could ever focus on anything else when she's in the room.

"I'll call you whatever I want, mi amor. Whether you like it or not. And this house? It's all yours."

"I only need two days. After that, you won't see me again."

We'll see about that.

"...But first, I want you to get me a job at your club."

Funny girl.

"And why do you need a job? The money I gave you should be enough to get around."

She rolled her eyes. "I don't need your money. I want to earn it myself."

I liked that.

And if it kept her here?

"Done. You're hired."

A sigh of relief spread across her face. "So... can I get an advance before I start?"

I chuckled. "You didn't even ask me what type of role you'd be getting," I replied swiftly.

Her brows knitted in brief confusion before she shrugged. "The same role from last night, of course."

Over my dead body.

The thought of any horny bastard eyeing her curves, licking their lips as she danced under those damn club lights, made something dark coil inside me. Her body isn't meant for their eyes. It's meant for me.

"I would rather have Leo dance on stage than let you up there."

"What does that mean?"

I sat up, my tall frame shadowing hers. She shifted slightly, her body tense, fully aware that she was dangerously close to being trapped. But before she could move, my hand curled around her waist, yanking her against me.

So close.

Too close.

Her breath hitched, her chest rising and falling against mine. There was just the tiniest space left between us, but I didn't close it. Not yet. I wanted her to feel my presence, to know she was caged in—by me, for me.

Her lips parted, and fuck, I nearly lost it.

I dragged my thumb down the side of her face, tracing the softness of her skin. Her pulse was racing—she couldn't hide it, not from me.

I looked straight into her nervous, fiery eyes and whispered, "It means I'm fucking obsessed with you, Mi Amor."