I must have suffered a psychotic break when Dad abandoned me.
I scan the floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of Central Park, and the twinkle of city lights in the distance. Sure, it wasn’t a traditional prison, but I was still his prisoner. The bedroom is immaculate with more paintings of Italian cities, but not a single personal touch. Except for a framed photograph on the nightstand. I move toward it, but he jumps in front of it, cutting me off.
“The closet is that way.” He points to another set of double doors across from the massive bed. Of course, he has black silk sheets. He opens the door and lets me peruse the wide selection of sleek black suits and classic button-down shirts. It’s likeSaks Fifth Avenueexploded in this man’s closet. I’ve never seen so many designer names in one place. Does this guy not own any t-shirts? “I can have Magda buy you some clothes tomorrow.”
“Or I can just get mine from home.”
He raises a dark brow.
“What?”
“I may need you to accompany me to certain events in which you’d require a specific type of attire.”
“What type of events and what type of attire?” I hiss.
He leans against the doorjamb, looking unfairly hot with his partially unbuttoned shirt and the myriad of tattoos curling around his tanned flesh. He lifts his eyes to mine, and dark hair tumbles over his brow. “I’d hoped to discuss this tomorrow once you were more settled.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to being your prisoner. So you might as well just tell me now.”
He huffs out a breath and palms the back of his neck. “Given my position, there are numerous social commitments I must attend. Having a beautiful woman on my arm would make things easier.”
Beautiful. My traitorous cheeks blush at the compliment. “Easier how?”
“I don’t date, Stella. When I go to these events, the women tend to get … aggressive.”
I snort on a laugh, unable to contain myself. “The big bad mafia boss is scared ofaggressive women?”
“No,” he growls. “I’d just prefer to spend the evening focused on business instead of shooing off women I have no interest in pursuing.”
“So you’re into men?”
He blanches, his mouth curving into a satisfying scowl. “Cazzo, no!” he snaps. “I simply don’t have time for that sort of relationship right now. Nor do I desire one.”
“That’s really all you want from me? Arm candy for a few parties?” With all the rumors I’ve heard about the ruthless Kings, I find this hard to believe. This man could have any woman, why me?
His lips press into a hard line, and he watches me for a long moment, those bottomless midnight irises piercing. “Yes.” The answer is loaded and tension fraught as if there was so much more behind that one word.
“And you don’t expect anything … sexually?” I swallow thickly once I get the word out.
“No.” His mouth twists. “I don’t need to force women to sleep with me.”
A rush of air expels through my thinned lips, and I nod slowly, discreetly eyeing the gorgeous man. I wouldn’t think so. “And in exchange for that, and payment from my father, I’ll be free to go at the end of the month?” It seems too good to be true.
“Yes, that’s the deal.”
I swallow hard again and take a good look at the man in front of me. I’d just called him a mob boss, and he hadn’t flinched. Is this guy really the infamous head of the Kings? He seems awfully young to lead such a powerful organization.
Luca stands beside me, oddly silent.Luca. Luca. Something about that name sends a chill tattooing up my spine. Fuzzy images whirl through my mind, and I blink quickly to chase the unnerving feeling away. He still watches me, the fine lines around his eyes crinkling.
What choice do I have other than to agree in this moment? The next chance I get, I’ll escape.
“Fine,” I finally murmur. “But let’s talk some ground rules.”
A chuckle escapes through his pressed lips, the warm, rich sound like melted mozzarella on Mrs. D’s lasagna. I lick my lips as heat fills my belly. “You are in no position to make any demands, princess.” He ticks his head at the far corner of the gigantic closet. “You’ll find some t-shirts in those drawers. And boxers in those.” His gaze rakes over me, and another explosion of goosebumps puckers my skin. “They might be a little big, but they should be okay for tonight.”
Judging by the width of his shoulders, they’d be gigantic on me. “I still have to go back to my house for something.”
“Whatever you need, I can buy for you. I don’t want you going back there right now.”
