2. Nicola
Drago dóro Casino is packed tonight. It's no surprise as this event has been on the lips of every socialite in the city for months. I weave my way through the crowds, moving towards the bar to get a drink. I arrived a little later than I had intended to, after an argument with my sister, Kira. She was adamant that I was making a mistake coming here tonight. I don't blame her for being worried about it. I really don't want to be here. But I have no choice. After my father's sudden death, and under the very suspicious circumstances of everything that happened, my sister and my mother got themselves into some trouble. They didn't just borrow money, they made a deal with the devil of the lending world - the most vicious, cold-blooded loan shark, Luca Vitali. He runs several businesses -- most of them very unscrupulous. I have heard rumors that he is involved in human trafficking as well.
Honestly, he is the last person in the world that I would ever want to associate with. But he gave me no choice with the threats that he made. I didn't want to tell my sister that though. I don't want Kira worrying more than she already is.
My emerald silk dress catches the colorful lights of the casino and sways around me as I walk. I keep my eyes focused on the faces around me.
I am not only here because Luca insisted I accompany him. I am also here because this is a huge opportunity for me to gather information from the powerful families who are attending, families I would never have access to.
I need to know what really happened to my father.
The investigator I hired is struggling as everyone is so hushed about it all. Apparently, Luca Vitali's reputation scares people. He is known to be ruthless and cold.
Anything I can find out tonight might help the investigator in some way.
I intend to talk to as many people as I can.
I move from clique to clique, saying hello, chatting a little, and making note of who is here.
Luca told me to meet him at the entrance, but the more time I can spend talking to people without him around me - the better it will be for me.
Luca has been chasing me for years. He has always had a thing for me; he is quite open about it, blunt in fact. He practically begged me to date him a while ago and was very bitter about it when I said no, and since then he has been forcefully pursuing me.
I have said no every time because as I said, he is not the type of person I want to be associated with.
He is fucking gorgeous though. I can see why so many women fall for his devilishly good looks and his charm. But I know more than all of that surface bullshit. I know who he is and what he does and quite frankly, it disgusts me.
He uses women, constantly with one and then moving on to the next. I know that if I did ever give in to his charm - he would most likely be instantly over me. He sees me as a conquest to conquer, and not a heart to win.
Although, having said that, I am also surprised he has chased me for so long. Why hasn't he given up yet?
Oh well, let him carry on trying. It is never going to work.
After a brief chat with one of his allies, I turn to find someone higher up the social status bar to talk to. That is when I feel it.
Someone is watching me. The hairs on the back of my neck tingle under a persistent gaze.
Is it Luca? Has he spotted me in the crowd?
I turn to scan the room, and almost immediately I see him. It's not Luca.
My heart skips a beat and the rhythm changes, moving a little faster.
If I thought Luca was hot - this man is like a Viking god in comparison. He is taller, with dark features and broad shoulders. His square-set jaw is flexing with muscles as he stares directly at me. Bold.
I grin and look away, but I can't help myself when I look back at him. There is something familiar about him, but I can't put my finger on it.
He runs his hand through his thick tousled hair, gazing at me with his piercing blue eyes that look like they hold a world of secrets. There is an aura of power around him that tells me he is someone important. The confidence is literally glowing from his body – a sculpted chest, every muscle defined and commanding attention. I can see how fit he is because the custom suit he is wearing is so well-fitted that it shows off the curves of his muscles.
I can't help but notice his open shirt that hints at what lies beneath – on his left pec, a tattoo peeks out, adding an element of intrigue to his already magnetic presence.
The sheer intensity of his presence sends a shiver down my spine.
I take a deep breath. I cannot let myself be distracted like this. I have a goal, an important one, and I need to focus on that.
I turn towards someone I know and start chatting.
But I feel the mysterious man's gaze is still very much locked onto me.
Glancing quickly over my shoulder my breath catches in my throat. He is walking directly towards me.
If Luca sees some stranger talking to me it is going to cause issues between us that I don't need right now. He is already too possessive over me, pretending as though he owns me in some way. I guess he does have a hold on me. But just because my sister and my mother owe him money doesn't mean that he owns me.
I glance up and my heart sinks. Luca has spotted me, and behind me, the handsome stranger is still moving in my direction.
Luca smiles. He doesn't deserve to be that sexy yet he steps close to me and slips his arm around my waist.
"Nicki, I have been looking all over for you. My date should be by my side." He says, his deep voice vibrating and enticing, not enticing enough to make me forget what kind of man I know he is.
"I didn't see you at the entrance, so I thought I would find you inside," I say sweetly.
"Mm." His dark eyes pierce into me, challenging me to step out of line again.
"Don't forget what we agreed on." He reminds me.
I suck in my cheeks to stop myself from telling him he is a scumbag asshole and threatening to kidnap my sister for his human trafficking business was something I will never, ever forget. But I say nothing. I smile.
Because as much of a threat as it was, I believe he would do it.
I have to keep my family safe.
He also agreed that if I did as I was told tonight, he would consider clearing the large amount of debt owed to his business. I hope that what he expects of me is not something I will regret for the rest of my life.
I swallow hard, trying to force away the disgusting bubbling in my throat.
Luca's fingers brush over my ribs, gently caressing my side.
I feel my automatic reaction, my body pulling away from him, and I do my best not to make it too obvious.
The Viking god of a man is standing right in front of me now and being this close to him has my skin blazing with electricity. Who is he? Why have I never met him before?
His bright blue eyes are piercing into me, as though there was no one else in the entire room.
To my surprise, Luca speaks first.
"Vitorio. Did you need something?" He sounds pissed off.
"Actually, I wanted you to introduce me to your date."
I don't like the fact that he called me Luca's date.
His eyes are so intense; I feel as though he can see right into my soul.
When he speaks to Luca, he doesn't take his gaze off me and I find myself fighting against a grin that is threatening to spread across my entire face.
Why couldn't I have this man as my date, instead of the snake I got stuck with tonight?
Luca has apparently decided to ignore him. He makes no move to introduce us, and the bitter look on his face grows darker as his brows scrunch together.
The stranger holds out his hand, and I place mine gently in his. His hands are warm, his long fingers wrap around mine and the fire inside me grows wilder.
"I'm Vitorio, Luca's brother. And you are?"
Luca's brother? No wonder he looked familiar to me. That explains it. There are similarities, and now that I know it, I can see it clearly, but still - Vitorio is much better looking than Luca.
"Nicki. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"I haven't seen you around here before, Nicki. Did you come tonight just for the poker game? Do you live in the area?"
"She is here with me, Vito." Luca snaps his way into the conversion, with annoyance in his tone, his fingers dig into my side, perhaps warning me to know my place.
"I see that, where did you two meet?" Vitorio asks.
"We met a while ago," Luca responds abruptly. I get the sense that Luca and Vitorio do not get along well. There is a tension between them that is making this entire iteration feel awkward and heated.
"I didn't know Luca had a new love interest." Vitorio ignores his brother and speaks directly to me. His eyes are pulling me towards him and making me forget myself for a moment. It was fine when he assumed I was Luca's date. But I cannot have him thinking I am a love interest. I have my limits.
"Business. It is a business relationship." I make it clear, to avoid any confusion between Luca and myself, and now his brother.
"I see." Vitorio grins, and a deep dimple forms on his right cheek. Fuck he is hot.
Luca is not impressed. He puts on a bit of a show, letting his hand drift over my body. I manage to maintain my composure, even though I am desperate to slap his hand away. I made an agreement with him, for the safety of my sister, I can't forget that.
I still can't help my natural instincts though, as I turn my face away from his. My lips tighten, and my shoulders are tense.
Vitorio seems to be paying far more attention to my body language than Luca is because his eyes are following Luca's hands and when he looks up into my eyes again, he looks worried.
I smile, trying to dispel the increasing tension.
Luca is glaring at me. I can see the words written in his dark gaze. Behave.
I pull my eyes away from Vitorio. Tonight is not a night for me to be playing games or getting lost in the eyes of a beautiful man.
I need to remove myself from this situation and let the brothers have a moment alone to sort out whatever is going on between them.
"If you will excuse me. I just want to get a drink."
I wiggle a little, gently escaping Luca's tight grasp. I smile at him, reassuring and friendly. I want to let him know that our agreement is still in place and that I will be right back.
As I walk away I breathe a heavy sigh of relief. My word, Nicki, you are so adamant not to get involved in mafia business and here you are practically eye-fucking some tall, beautiful man who is related to the person you hate the most in the world.
For all I know, he could be exactly like his brother -- charming, good-looking, and a total asshole.
That isn't the feeling I get from him; he seems completely different. But it doesn't matter anyway. I am not here for that. I am here to try and find out what happened to my father. I want to know how he died.
I take my time ordering a Martini, not really wanting to go back to Luca.
I watch the brothers interact from where I am standing at the bar. They do not like each other. But do I know anyone who actually likes Luca Vitali? I chuckle.
I guess I just need to face this night and get it over with.
I take a moment to regain my composure, push my shoulders back, and put a look of confident defiance on my face. I won't be taken for a fool tonight. I agreed to come here. But I am not a toy. Luca wants to pretend that I belong to him with the way his hands are all over me, but he is going to come up short very quickly if he tries anything more than that.
I will put on a show for the other guests. But that is all he is getting.
As soon as I arrive back, standing again with Luca and Vitorio, Luca immediately reaches out and grabs me closer to him. For a second I feel my eyes rolling in annoyance. He is so childish. So possessive. Again I think about how he is behaving like he owns me.
I take another slow, deep breath. It is going to be ok. After tonight things will be better.
We have an agreement.
While I was away, the tension between Luca and Vitorio only seemed to have gotten worse.
There is a silent, stiffness between them.
"Nicki, I have a client I want to introduce you to. I would like to pursue him to do business with me. A little - encouragement - from such a beautiful woman - might have him more interested in doing business with the Vitali family." The sly smile on his face makes me want to vomit.
"It would be a pity, wouldn't it, for something to happen to that beautiful sister of yours."
He snarls.
Vitorio is watching closely. He doesn't say anything at all. I doubt he knows why I am here with Luca, or what I have agreed to, to keep my family safe.
Then Luca yanks me again closer against his chest. His eyes stabbing into mine.
I can't say no, but I can't agree to sell myself to some businessman just so that Luca can benefit from it. I am terrified of the consequences of saying no to him outright. I have to figure out another way around this.
"Luca, I am your date tonight. How would it look if I was flirting with another man? Wouldn't that look bad for you?" I ask, innocent and calm.
Vitorio looks unimpressed by what is happening in front of him.
Why can't he help me? Surely he is as powerful as Luca? Or is he also involved in all of the disgusting shit his brother is involved in?
I glance over at him, as I bite my lower lip.
Luca pulls my face back towards his and leans close to my ear to whisper the threat so that his brother cannot hear.
"Don't forget my words, little girl. Do you want your sister to end up on the other side of the world living her life as a toy slave for some rich master?"
I bite my lip. I hold my breath. I hate him.
I gently place my hands against Luca's chest, smiling again.
"Luca, why don't you and I spend tonight together, as you wanted? We can always make some other arrangements another night?"
He looks displeased. But wraps his arm around my waist again as his expression relaxes.
I wish I could breathe freely. I feel like an animal trapped in a cage with a wilder animal. A rabid bear perhaps.