Chapter 9: An Eye for an Eye

POV. SALVATORE DI SANTE.

I stride through the lobby of the financial complex where my offices are, ignoring everyone as I head to the elevator. I step inside, and the two occupants leave, abandoning me to my solitude.

I press the top floor button, and the doors close without waiting for Renzo or Eva, who are lagging behind. The last thing I want is to talk to anyone, not after the ambush Rossetti pulled on me, but this won’t stand. He won’t even know what hit him.

That damned conniving old man.

The doors open, and I step out of the elevator.

I pass the reception, and halfway down the hall, I find Luciana, my assistant, looking flustered.

“Mr. Di Sante…”

“Not now.” I raise my hand, silencing her.

“But…”

I glare at her, and she stops dead in her tracks, falling behind. I enter my office and slam the door shut, open the door to the terrace, and let my gaze lose itself in the middle of the city. I take a deep breath to keep from losing my shit.

The anger I feel right now threatens to drown me.

Children with a Rossetti?

Was marrying the daughter of my wife’s and son’s killer not enough? Swallowing my pain and rage to marry Helena isn't sufficient. Mauricio Rossetti took everything from me. I will do the same to him. The Ferrettis’ intrusion only served to accelerate things.

Yes, I married Helena as part of the deal to prevent the Ferrettis from taking the city, but my father chose me because he knew I have a debt to settle with that family. I don't just plan to leave the Rossettis penniless. No, I will make Mauricio pay. I will bring him to his knees before me. As for Helena… she is collateral damage. She will also pay for her father’s sins.

It’s time to utterly destroy the plague that family is.

I swore it to Ginevra and my son. I do not intend to fail them, not when my vengeance is within reach. For a moment, I almost gave up and just ended it. The day I found Helena, I was ready to make her pay.

An eye for an eye.

My wife for his daughter—that would have been so easy. But no, that would drive the Rossettis to the Ferrettis and save them from ruin.

I close my eyes and let the memories flood me…

Flashback.

I walk out of the dressing room and see her run across the room. Her hair is wavy, and she’s wearing a red dress that accentuates her curves. When she straightens up, her light brown eyes meet mine before she gives me a beautiful smile.

“Why don’t we go for a drive?” I suggest, and she shakes her head.

“Darling, the girls are waiting for me at the café. Plus, I want to tell them the good news,” she says, placing her hand on her belly. I feel my lips stretch into a smile as I approach Ginevra, wrap my arms around her, and kiss her lips.

“Tonight, we’ll tell my parents the good news,” and she smiles.

“Your mother can finally stop harping on us for not giving her a grandchild,” she scoffs.

Ginevra and I have been married for six years, and though we always talked about having children, it hadn’t happened—until now. At last, we could have the family we wanted.

She gives me a quick kiss and I reluctantly release her. She grabs her purse and winks.

“You’re mine tonight. I have a surprise for you.”

She sighs.

“I love it when you get romantic,” she whispers, stroking my chest.

“And you know I’m here to please your every desire,” I reply as she nibbles my chin.

“See you tonight, darling,” she sings, walking away and leaving the room.

End of Flashback.

I slam my fist against the glass railing and curse myself.

That is the last memory I have of my pregnant wife. The next time I saw her was in a morgue after her car plunged off a cliff.

I don’t remember much about that day. The next thing I knew, I was standing in front of her tombstone.

I lost myself.

When I crawled out of that dark hole, it was thanks to hatred and the thirst for vengeance. I discovered that Mauricio Rossetti had eliminated all loose ends—no witness but him. How did I know? Simple. Only Mauricio had a motive; only he had the power, besides being stupid enough to attack a Di Sante.

The damned feud had claimed its last Di Sante victim. The next strike will be the decisive one.

No one, except me, knows Ginevra was pregnant. I didn’t hide her existence either. Helena has already asked me, Who is Ginevra? When she did, I was tempted to tell her to her face what her father had done, but that would be a warning to that wretch. Mauricio must blindly believe that I don't know what he did.

I have waited for this for two years. I can wait a few more months.

A smile tugs at my lips.

In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy making the impetuous Helena’s life a living hell.

I return inside the office, and halfway to my desk, the door opens, letting in Renzo and Eva.

“I know you’re pissed, but Eva discovered something while working with Morelli.”

I gesture to the chairs opposite the desk and take my seat.

“The Rossettis don’t have the monetary liquidity to handle the project,” I raise an eyebrow. “They’re not bankrupt—” yet. Eva shakes her head, exchanging a look with Renzo before continuing. “—but that explains why they want to play it safe.”

“We will keep the project as I want it. Talk to the architect and have him do his damned job. I need Rossetti to take the risk and invest. To bite off more than he can chew.”

Renzo’s smile is a reflection of mine.

“You’re going to make him invest more than he has,” it’s not a question.

“When that happens, we will step back, and the construction will halt, resulting in losses.”

“That’s absolutely crazy. We’ll lose money too,” Eva snaps.

As if money mattered to me in all this.

“I’m in a position to absorb that risk. The Rossettis, on the other hand…”

I lean back in my chair.

In the end, I will sink them. I will make them useless to the Ferrettis, and they will be nothing.

“And Helena?”

“Leave that to your brother.”

By then, Helena will wish she had never agreed to be part of this, and Mauricio will witness how I destroy his company and his daughter.

Renzo stands up and adjusts his jacket.

“That was an entertaining morning,” he murmurs, just as I give him a warning look when I see his mocking gaze.

He leaves my office and closes the door behind him.

Eva stands up, taking light steps and swaying her hips sensually. She approaches the door and slides the bolt.

She leans against it and looks at me with a pout meant to be sexy.

I’m unmoved. Eva and I have slept together several times over the last year. She doesn’t ask for anything in return; she only seeks satisfaction.

So, we both win.

She walks, circles the desk, and sits on top of it, pulling on my tie.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Filing a formal complaint with the boss,” she snaps with a pitiful pout. “You haven’t come to see me since your wedding to the insipid Rossetti.”

“I’ve been busy…”

“Fucking the little girl you married?” Her tone is sharp as she pierces me with her gaze.

“You look ridiculous making a jealous scene.”

I don’t owe her an explanation; in fact, I don't owe one to anyone. My thing with Eva is nothing—just a body to satisfy my carnal needs. I screw her, and that’s it. There’s no commitment, no feelings. I don't care about her or her feelings at all.

“Salvatore,” she hisses in a whiny voice. “We’ve always been good together, and we have fun. I’m not asking for fidelity.” She leans in and sucks on my earlobe before continuing. “Fuck me. Now. I know that will relieve the tension from today.”

I stand up and circle my hand around her neck, tipping her head back slightly.

“You won’t give up, will you?”

Her answer is a smile. She moves her hands to the buckle of my pants. I lean down, and instead of kissing her, I soften my grip and inhale her scent. Vanilla fills my senses. I frown and pull away from the sickly sweet smell, which causes me revulsion.

I look at her, and without losing my serious demeanor, I make her get off the desk and kneel down.

“You want me to fuck you?” I inquire in a cold tone. She nods. “Then suck it, Eva. Earn my favor by sucking my dick.”

She doesn’t think twice and pulls my member out of my pants before engulfing it. I harshly bury my hands in her hair and thrust my hips, seeking relief. The muffled sound is the only thing audible in the office. I stretch out one hand, open a drawer, and grab a condom.

I pull her away from my cock, and she gasps for air as saliva drips down her chin, but she gives me a wide smile while her hands continue to stroke my cock.

I urge her to stand up, and when she tries to climb onto the desk, I shake my head and lead her to the sofa.

The last thing I want is to fuck her on the surface I use daily. This is just about releasing the pressure valve; it is and always will be just that. I unroll the condom and slide it onto my cock while Eva hastily pulls up her dress, revealing her panties. I move them aside and tease the tip of my cock against her entrance before plunging inside. She hisses and arches, eager for more.

So I give her what she wants. While she begs for more, I’m not thinking about her, only about myself and my satisfaction. Each thrust makes her arch further, and I roughly grab her ass, slamming my hips against her buttocks. She rubs her clitoris and stifles a scream as she lets go when her orgasm hits, unconcerned about anyone hearing us, since the walls are soundproof, and besides, I couldn't give a damn what they might say if they hear something. Eva trembles and claws at the sofa as she releases.

I feel my back tingle and my balls clench before I come, but I don’t allow myself to collapse onto her.

I breathe deeply, still with my hands on her ass, which are now marked. I pull out of her and dispose of the condom as she collapses onto the sofa.

“See? We are good,” I hear her say smugly.

Don’t make me laugh.

“If you say so,” I reply in a deadpan tone.

“What do you mean, if I say so?” I tilt my head and look at her.

“What do you want me to say? That you’re unique and your cunt was made by the gods?” I scoff. “Get a grip, Eva. It’s just sex. We fuck, and that’s it. It’s always been like this.”

She glares at me and pouts as she straightens her dress and stands up.

“I hate it when you get dismissive.”

“I’m just being honest. We both know what this is about, and you’ve always agreed,” I refresh her memory from the doorway of the bathroom.

“But you don’t have to say it that way.”

Women and their sentimentality. Unwilling to get into a useless argument, I prefer to cut the topic short.

“Lock up before you leave and tell Luciana not to disturb me.”

She straightens up and leaves without another word, but she makes her displeasure known by slamming the door.

As if that would affect me in any way.

It’s late when I walk through the villa. Aldo greets me upon entering, as always.

“Any news?”

“The Signora arrived a couple of hours ago and is in her room.”

Perfect.

“I’m going to take a shower before dinner.”

He nods, unperturbed.

I head up the stairs and stop at Helena’s bedroom door. I yank it open and find her sitting on the sofa by the window, reading a book. She is absorbed, her brown hair falling like a veil over her shoulders.

She notices my presence and looks at me with blazing eyes.

“Haven’t you been taught to knock?”

I know she’s mad at me for earlier today… for the way I approached her. But I have news for her: I don't give a damn. I’ve discovered that the delicate Helena has spirit. That will make the situation more entertaining.

“Dinner will be served in a few minutes.”

“I don’t plan on coming down.”

“Did I ask if you want to?” I raise an eyebrow and give her a challenging look.

“Go screw yourself.”

“I’ve got news for you: I already did,” I blurt out maliciously.

I want her to feel uncomfortable, to piss her off.

She puts the book aside, stands up, and with a look of smug satisfaction, stops in front of me. I tower over her by a couple of heads, but she has determination. I can acknowledge that.

“Let me tell you one thing, Di Sante: Fuck all you damn want. You can screw half the city of Florence.” She continues, her eyes shining with a promise. “But the day… listen to me closely, the day I catch you doing it, say goodbye to your dick because I will cut it off myself.”

What does this damn brat think she is?

“I can say the same to you, but I’ll slice that harpy neck of yours.”

She smiles smugly.

“Unlike you, I know how to get things done.”

With that, she turns around and walks away before looking over her shoulder at me.

“I’m hungry now. So if I’m going to join my new family, I think it might be entertaining.”

Bitch.

I’ll show her what entertaining is.