Paid In Full (Vitale Brothers Book 2)

Chapter 1

I adjustedmy tie as I smiled at the camera. The flash went off, making small, black spots appear in my vision. I blinked them away. Stupid damn cameras. I hated them, but they were good for men like us. Being in the public eye, putting on a good face was the only way to survive these days. Attending charity events was a great way to blend in, to throw off anyone who might look at us a little too closely.

Benito was off to the side, talking to one of his well-to-do friends. The ones that viewed us as scum while they called us in the middle of the night to clean up their dirty work. I scoffed at the notion. I hate schmoozing with these pricks. God, I want a smoke.

“Mr. Vitale!” A boisterous laugh reached my ears, and I instantly cringed. When I turned around, AJ Weston was grinning like a fool. “So excited to see you here tonight. How are you?”

I shook his hand. “Excellent as always,” I said. “It’s good to see you out and about.” He handed me a glass of champagne, and I readily took it. “Did you have a chance to go over our proposal for the hospital build?”

The man snorted. “Yes, yes, I knew you were going to be on my ass about that.” He swiped a puff pastry filled with shrimp as a waiter walked by and stuffed it in his face. “Like I told Mr. Hollister just moments ago, we will go with whoever puts in the most competitive bid as far as time and money goes.”

I stiffened. “Well, no one can compete with Mr. Hollister,” I pointed out. “Considering his use of illegal immigrants and how criminally underpaid they are.”

It was worse than that, though. Able Hollister was, for all intents and purposes, a slaver. He took illegal immigrants, threatened them with deportation, and forced them to work for pennies. His shitty work was all over the city. Anyone who dared to question him was met with violence or ruin. He had powerful men in his pocket.

But I wasn’t one to be fucked with.

Weston huffed. “Those are all unsubstantiated rumors,” he said, his tone clipped. “Trying to undercut the competition by bad-mouthing them won’t win you any favors.”

I pressed down the urge to slit his throat and smiled instead. “Of course. So sorry for my impertinence.” I laid a hand on my chest to show my remorse. “It’s been a tough day. Why don’t we have another drink?”

The grin returned to his thin lips. “Now, that’s more like it.”

I chuckled as I turned on my heels and led him through the building to the bar. As soon as the preppy girl bounced over to us with a big smile on her face we ordered.

“Two bourbons, something aged and top shelf,” I said as I passed a tip over the bar to her.

“Right away, Mr. Vitale.”

As she poured our drinks, I glanced off to Benito. He nodded, one fast subtle movement to get on with it. Well, I don’t have all night. After all, I’m in a time crunch. This was just the first stop on the I work too damn hard tour.

“Oh, I meant to tell you those cigars came in,” I said as I turned back to Weston in time to grab my drink. “Do you want to take a look? I stashed them upstairs before the party started. Don’t want anyone snagging those, you know?”

The man chuckled. “I have a hard time believing anyone would be stupid enough to steal from you.”

“Oh, you’d be surprised,” I said. “Follow me.”

“Lead the way.”

He stayed behind me as we climbed the stairs to the second floor of the grand old house. It was used often for these kinds of parties and for good reason. It was historical, out of the way, private, and with just enough dark spaces. Every CEO in town had their urges, and what better way to get a fix than in a place like this? Wives were none the wiser. The press was contained; it was the perfect place to indulge.

We moved into one of the empty offices. As soon as Weston was inside, I locked the door.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Ensuring our privacy,” I said calmly. I walked over to the desk and pulled out a box of Cubans. When I met his gaze, he still looked nervous, but seeing the cigars calmed him.

“Excellent,” he said, a grin stretching his face. “Should we smoke one now?”

“I was hoping you’d ask,” I chuckled, using that upscale, cheesy laugh that made me want to barf. I pulled two free from the box and rounded the desk. I offered one to him but pulled it back right before it was within his meaty grasp. My smile fell away. “Let’s have one after you accept our bid.”

Weston’s face fell. Anger took over his features, red spreading from his neck to his ears.

“I already told you that I would make the best decision for my company.”

“You want to make the best decision for your overly stuffed pockets,” I snapped. “And you’re wearing my patience paper thin. So, let’s try this one more time.” I yanked him forward by his shirt collar, his eyes so wide it was almost comical. “You’re going to give the contract to us.”

“I-I won’t be pushed around by a bunch of no-class Italian trash!”

Real laughter bubbled from my lips. “Oh, I wouldn’t have said that.” I walked over to the door, turned the lock, and yanked it open. “Hold him down.”

I had to give our men one thing, they moved fast. They swarmed Weston, taking him down as they slapped tape over his mouth. Not that anyone down below could hear us anyway, but if he screamed too loudly, they might. There was no point taking too much of a risk, even if I thought it was funny. Benito’s orders were finite.

“Open his shirt, but be careful. Don’t hurt his face or do anything too visible, you know? Can’t have him walking out of here looking all fucked up.” I clipped the end of the cigar and pulled a matchbook from my pocket. I sucked in thick smoke before I blew it out. When I crouched beside Weston, his eyes were wild, sweat decorating his forehead.

I slapped his round belly. “Alright, let’s try this conversation a better way.” I shoved the cigar against his stomach. He screamed against the tape, and I glared at the newbie.

“Sorry, Giancarlo.” He slapped a hand over the tape.

“Better.” I turned back to Weston. “I want that contract.” I shoved the cigar onto another spot of flesh. The smell of singed hair and skin burnt my nose. “You’re going to give it to me.”

He panted so hard I was sure he would hyperventilate at any moment. Up and down his chest rose, every action shuddery. I chuckled. Weston wasn’t so tough on his back with his belly exposed, now was he?

“Are you going to give us the contract?”

Weston glared and shook his head. I whistled.

“It takes a special kind of man to be this fucking stupid.” I shoved the cigar against his side. This time, I leaned into it, really letting it burn. His screams sounded as if his throat would be raw for a long damn time. I yanked the cigar free and pulled a face as I looked at the flesh-covered tip. “Gross.”

Weston’s eyes rolled up. I reached out and slapped him on the cheek a few times until he blinked rapidly and focused on me.

“Let me tell you how this is going to work. You’ll do what I want, or I’ll make your life hell.” I tapped my chin thoughtfully. “Hey, you’ve got that pretty little wife, right? The blonde number, all tits and tight ass?”

His eyes widened, and the quick breathing started up again. I grinned. Don’t like that, do you?

“I know her schedule, Weston. From morning to night, I know everything that woman does. That five AM run to keep her ass toned goes down some badly lit areas. Some of them are really rural too,” I pointed out. “It would be a shame if I had to grab her off the trail and stomp her cute head in. Something that hot shouldn’t be trashed, you know? I’m sure you paid a lot for that body.” I clicked my tongue. “Shame to waste good product.”

Weston gestured wildly. I held up a hand.

“Let him speak.”

The tape was ripped from his mouth, making him cry out. He looked up at me, fire in his eyes, but fear was much more prominent. It wasn’t odd for men to want to lash out when they felt emasculated, but most weren’t stupid enough to try it.

“The contract is yours.”

I clapped my hands together. “Hey, do you hear that! See, this is how real men get shit done.” I slapped a burn mark on his belly, and he screamed. “Shhh, don’t do all of that. Now, here’s what you are going to do. You’re going to get up, go to the bathroom, and clean yourself up. Then you’re going to approve the contract and send it through for signing in about an hour, okay? Not later than that, though, ‘cause I really got shit to do, and I’m not in the mood to wait around all night.” I snapped my fingers. “Oh, and if you say anything, you know I have to kill you, but not before I kill your wife in front of you, right?”

Weston glared but nodded. “Yeah. I get it.”

“So glad we could have this chat.” I stood up, adjusting my tie properly, before I grabbed my box of cigars. “You’ll have to forgive me if I miss out on our smoke together. Maybe next time we can do business the right way and not have to go the unpleasant route.” I turned to my men. “Get Mr. Weston out of here safely. And stick with him all the way home. I’d hate for him to take a detour and test me.”

“Yes, sir.”

I patted the newbie on the chest and handed the cigars over. They could take care of that. I had to report in with Benito. I strolled over to my brother once I was back on the floor below. He briefly excused himself before he looked at me.

“Done,” I said.

Benito blew out a breath. “Nicely done. This time tomorrow, we’ll be setting up plans to build a hospital. That will do wonders for our name.”

“All thanks to you, big brother,” I said as I looked around, bored now. The mask was starting to slip. “Should I go take care of that other thing?”

“Yes. And Gin?”

“Hmm?”

“Discretion.”

I smiled at him. “When am I not discreet?”

“Well, you fucked the man’s wife.”

I snickered, feigning innocence about Weston’s girl. “Who told you that? I would never do something so wicked.”

Benito’s flat facial expression said it all. I stifled my laughter as I turned on my heels and exited the party. One assignment down, one to go. Then I would find something hot, tight, and feisty to slide into.

* * *

“Bids are starting in five minutes!”a man called. “Have a seat before the merchandise rolls out!”

I walked through the house, my eyes sweeping from side to side. Benito said I needed to be looking for a Calahan. Roger Calahan. The man had spent more than his fair share of our cash, and when any of the underlings attempted to collect, they were met with bullshit and violence. That meant it was my turn to get what was ours.

Reaching out, I snagged the arm of a woman dressed to the nines. Her tight bun, pencil skirt, and flowy blouse were all top-notch. A tablet was clutched in her hands as she talked to people moving around her. Clearly, she was in charge or close to the top.

“I’m looking for Roger Calahan.”

She yanked her arm free, her face pinched. “And who exactly are you?” she scoffed.

“I’m Giancarlo Vitale.”

All the color drained from her face in an instant. She unfolded the arms she’d quickly folded a moment before as her mouth opened and closed. I raised a brow waiting for her to get her shit together.

“O-oh, Mr. Vitale. We weren”t expecting you tonight.”

Looking her up and down, I frowned. She must be new. The auction house was a recent purchase, one we kept under the name of a shell corporation. That way, it was easier to be anonymous. The only people who really knew we owned it were the manager and the person she chose to be underneath her. Clearly, I’d met the little underling that she hadn’t clued in. One that was about to get her neck snapped if she didn’t get out of my face.

I shrugged. “Didn’t announce I would be here,” I said evenly. “Where is Calahan?”

She shuffled from one foot to the other. “He’s, um, sitting out there.” She pointed to the crowd sitting down to await the auction.

My neutral expression turned into a scowl. “He’s bidding on someone when he owes us so much money?”

“No,” she said quickly, shaking her head as dark brown wisps of hair whipped around her head. “Tonight, he’s offering something up. I think it’s to pay you off, sir.”

I held out a hand. “Tablet.”

She quickly passed it over. “His name is Ash. Twenty-two. Light brown hair. Dark eyes,” she muttered, rattling off the details. “He’ll be one of the first ones up. It’s a commodity to have a well-refined male to sell.”

I stared at the picture on her tablet. The guy she described was staring back at me. However, his face was innocent, as if he hadn’t been exposed to the ugliness of the world. I swiped a finger over the screen, looking at his stats.

“Hefty price,” I muttered. “What makes him so special?”

“Virgin,” she whispered. “They’re so rare these days.”

“How do we know that?”

Her ears tinged red. “Well, he was examined. Trust me, no one’s touched him. His father kept him locked away for much of his life. Besides going to school and coming home, he hasn’t been around much of anyone.”

“What’s your name?” I asked.

She stiffened. “Teresa, sir.”

“Teresa,” I said. “You should tell the manager to keep you clued in on who owns this place. It would be a shame if you ended up on that stage.”

She swallowed thickly. “I-I’m sorry, sir. I had no idea, but—”

“That’s all I want,” I said, smiling. “Goodnight.”

I handed the tablet back to her before I mixed in with the crowd. I stayed tucked into the back, keeping an eye on Roger as he laughed and chatted with the people around him.

I’m going to wipe that smug smirk from your face.

As the auction started, the noise of the room quieted down. Everyone took their seats, and I took mine.

“We’re starting off with this one,” the auctioneer called. “He’s pretty young and kind of fit for his height and weight. His best attributes are his obedience, willingness to please, and his soft demeanor. Come on,” he called.

The kid was pushed onto the stage. He stumbled forward, arms cuffed behind his back. When he turned to the crowd, his eyes were wide, darting all over the room like a scared animal. A piece of cloth had been shoved into his mouth.

“We’re starting the bid off at $200,000.” The auctioneer glanced around as murmurs filled the room. “Did I mention he’s a virgin?”

No one questioned the price anymore. Paddles went up, murmurs coursed through the room, and I was caught up in the electricity of the moment. I glanced up at Ash. His eyes shifted over the crowd as if looking for help before his gaze connected with mine.

I smirked as I raised my paddle. “Five hundred,” I said, speaking over the noise.

A man turned around to glare at me. “Six.”

What was supposed to be a silent auction erupted into the loudest thing I’d ever attended. It was pure chaos. Laughing, I kept going, egging on the bids. All the while, I could see Calahan’s greedy little gaze whipping around the room. Thankfully, he’d never seen me and didn’t recognize who I was. The only person he knew was Benito.

Good. Can’t wait to see the look on his face once he realizes who I am.

“Eight hundred thousand!” someone shouted.

I raised my paddle, not breaking a sweat amongst their perverted, fevered actions. “One point five million,” I said. “Final offer.”

Calahan shot up. “Sold,” he snapped at the buyer. “Sold!”

I stood up as the rest of the room dissolved into hatred. There was no way they could have ever beaten me, but they tried. As I walked up the aisle, Ash’s eyes stayed on mine. I was amused to find that the brown of his irises was flecked with green and gold.

Huh, he’s kind of appetizing.

I tried to keep my thoughts contained, but I couldn’t stop thinking about ripping his clothes off and examining what I’d just purchased. Focus. I turned my gaze from him to his father.

“Roger, how good of us to meet. Should I put every dime of my purchase on your account?”

He stared at me, gaping. “What?”

“Don’t you owe the Vitale’s one point two million?”

The man stammered over his words. “T-that means I’m entitled to some money back,” he blustered, redness coursing over his cheeks and neck. “At least give me the difference.”

I smirked. “Well, for your debt, there’s taxes, interest rates, late fees.” I ticked each thing off on my fingers. “As far as I’m concerned, you still owe us about four hundred thousand. Better get on that.”

Roger stepped after me as I walked away. “What the fuck!” he snapped. “How am I supposed to get that?”

I shrugged. “Not my problem. You’re done speaking to me.”

I gave him one last disdainful glare before I turned and walked toward the stage. Roger could rot for all I cared. The best part was that I’d just stolen his most valuable asset.

Time for that fucker to fend for himself.

“Your prize,” a man said, roughly passing Ash to me. “Congratulations, Mr. Vitale.”

I looked at the man in my arms. When he glanced up, those big eyes made my heart do flips. It suddenly dawned on me that I had an entire person to figure out what to do with. I could turn him loose, but his father would pick him up and use him again. What option did I have?

“Guess you’re coming home with me,” I muttered.

Really hope this doesn’t bite me in the ass.