Chapter 3
There was more than one way to catch a man's eye. We were basic creatures even if the one I had my eyes on was a monster amongst predators. There was no tricking Cesare Vitale, but there was teasing. I caught his attention, and I planned on keeping it.
"What do you want me to do about this?" Benito asked, a little more annoyed than he had any right to be. "You haven't given me anything and you've been spending time with him for weeks."
"Your father isn't a simple man. He doesn't just blab his deepest darkest secrets because I made him cum."
Benito's nose scrunched up at the mention of his father and our activities.
I wanted to do more than just make Cesare cum.
I wanted to rock his solid foundation and then tear it down.
I'd build it back up, piece by piece, making sure I was the only thing that could possibly hold him together.
Cesare Vitale would fall so in love with me that the thought of breathing without me around would drive him insane.
"All I have right now is how he likes to have me bent over. Or how his toes curl every single time my tongue—"
"Enough!" Benito pinched the bridge of his nose, the creases in his forehead looking deeper than the last time I'd seen him. He held his hand out as if wordlessly begging me to go no further. "You can keep those details to yourself.”
"I thought you wanted to know everything."
He lowered his hand and fixed me with a dark, menacing gaze that had goosebumps rising over my forearms. I fought my natural response to rub at my flesh. He might have been the younger version of the man of my dreams, but Benito was deadly in his own right.
"If I need to find someone more suitable—"
I blew out a breath, calming myself down. Just because I'd gotten a taste of Cesare, I was suddenly snapping at the bits to get back to him. I'd played the game this long; I could keep going.
"I got it," I said, cutting him off. I allowed the desperation to show on my face just enough so I didn't come off too suspicious. "You can leave it to me."
"Can I?" Benito sat back in the black leather chair in the back meeting room in Silver Dreams.
I hated that he was questioning me when all I needed was a way to get back in front of Cesare's face.
"Yes, I need the money."
Benito stared at me for a long while, his gaze boring into me with every second that passed. I felt stripped bare of the silk pants and robe I was wearing.
"Fine, what is your next move? You haven't seen him in days."
I fucking know that. I bit back my anger. It made no sense here. "He's made it a point not to come around. I'm pretty sure he doesn't trust the brothel."
Benito laughed. "If you thought he ever did then you're an idiot and the wrong man for this job."
I shook my head. "No, what I mean is he won't stay longer than he needs to."
"What you're effectively telling me is you're bad at your job."
I ground my molars. Talking to Benito was like talking to a brick wall.
Still, I preferred to speak to just him instead of all five of the brothers.
When all of them were around, their unwavering gazes bore into every crack into my defences.
I had to be on my P's and Q's. One slipup and I'd be chopped up in multiple different pieces and spread around the city.
"My job isn't the issue here. You wouldn't stay in a whores bed longer than it takes you to nut. You're a busy man; so is your father."
Benito pulled out a cigarette, lighting it in the same way Cesare did. I wonder if he knew he had some of the same mannerisms.
"Sounds like excuses."
This conversation was going nowhere. I was contemplating walking out, but I knew I still needed him.
"What are you asking me for?" Benito grunted out.
"Money." Everything came down to it, and I had none of it. Well, I had what I made so far but that wasn’t enough. It wasn’t going to get me in front of Cesare. I'd beg for money like a common whore before I messed up and missed out. "An advancement on my payment, to be precise."
His thick brows lifted, nearly touching his hair line.
Even his jet-black hair was gelled back like Cesare.
If he wasn't around anymore, I could have fooled myself into liking the imitation of him.
But I'd always know that although Benito had similarities to Cesare, he wasn't him.
In fact, all the brothers were like their father.
I bet if I pointed it out, they'd argue or threaten to kill me.
"You want more?" He took a drag from his cigarette.
"We've already paid for your updated wardrobe, you have the best room here, not to mention you're not making any money while you focus on Cesare, and we cover your living expenses.
" He tapped his fingers one by one as if noting how much he's already given me.
If I wasn't doing this already out of pure selfish reasons, I would have told the brothers to go fuck themselves. Cesare wasn't the kind of man you spied on and betrayed for a few measly dollars.
"If you ask me, you've already received an advancement."
But I'm not asking you.
I clicked my tongue. Now wasn't the time to be stingy. "We both know he's used the services here plenty of times, but not a single person has ever had him repeat. Except me."
Benito grunted, smoking instead of giving me the acknowledgment I rightfully deserved. It was fine. As long as I got Cesare in the end, everything would be worth it. The humiliation and degradation would be nothing compared to having him in my arms.
"How much do you need?" Benito asked.
"Only fifteen thousand."
"Only." He shook his head before standing up. He rebuttoned his suit up and tugged at the sleeves. "What do you need it for?"
"A few things. Mainly I have to look presentable for the art showing coming up."
"How do you know about that?"
I wanted to roll my eyes, but instead I crossed my ankles. "Many influential men and women come through these doors."
"You're not meeting with any of them."
I shrugged. "Doesn't mean I don't hear things. Cesare will be there."
Benito nodded, confirming what I already knew. There were a lot of very rich and important people attending.
"Fine, it will be delivered to you later." Benito's heavy gaze pinned me to my seat. "I find out you're fucking me on this, and I will personally escort you to hell. Am I clear?"
There wasn't a single part of me that didn't believe Benito wouldn't hold up his end of the threat. If he caught on to anything I was doing, I was as good as dead.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
The moment the door closed behind him, I let out a huge breath.
Fuck, talking to him was like standing in the middle of crocodile infested waters.
There was nowhere safe and no way out. I pushed myself up and headed back to my room.
I grabbed the tablet from my desk and checked the schedule.
Mine looked full only to fool Cesare, but in truth, I hadn't seen anyone.
I'd be bored if it wasn't for the fact that I had so much to plan and get ready.
I blew out a breath, checking out my appearance once more.
Waist-length, thick, brown hair was back in two loose braids.
Gold charms decorated it, bringing out the soft natural highlights in my hair.
The shorter strands were skillfully left out to frame my face.
I wore the lightest amount of makeup only enough to enhance my natural features.
Black eyeliner rimmed my eyes, bringing out the green in my hazel eyes even more.
I darkened my eyebrows enough to make them stand out.
My earrings matched the remainder of the jewelry I had on me.
It went nicely with the black button-up tucked into fitted white pants.
I left the top three buttons undone on my shirt, showing off my chest. At the last second, I'd chosen to forego the gold harness.
It was a bit much. I wanted to catch Cesare's attention, not blind him.
I looked good. There wasn't a hair out of place. Even the little facial hair I let grow on my chin was groomed to perfection. Cesare deserved nothing less.
The car door was opened and the once comfortable air turned a bit cooler. "Are you ready, Rafael?" my date asked.
I glanced over to him. He was a high-end stockbroker.
James Sullivan was a handsome man. At twenty-eight, he was influential in the tech industry.
He happened to be a regular at Silver Dreams. He'd made it known he wanted to take up some of my time, but other than tonight, there hadn't been a chance.
"Yes." I placed my hand in his. There was no spark, no ignition of desire that ate at me the more time we spent together.
It was nothing like when I was with Cesare.
Every fiber of my being was always so attuned to him that it was impossible not to feel like I was on fire with need.
With James it felt like I was holding hands with a statue.
His looks and status were perfect for the situation. It wouldn't look suspicious for me to be here tonight. The only thing I couldn't possibly plan for was Cesare's reaction.
"So glad you decided to slip me into your schedule," James said a little too close.
The most I could do was muster up a smile and put all my focus into finding Cesare. The closer we got to the entrance, the tighter my stomach got. The moment we walked past security, my insides were a knotted mess.
Where are you?
“Do you enjoy art shows?” James asked.
Hadn’t he ever heard of shutting the fuck up?
I leaned against him and played the dutiful, ditsy whore. “I’ve only been to a few at the rec center, but nothing like this.” My eyes widened as I used the moment to search for Cesare. “Thank you for bringing me.” I barely contained myself from rolling my eyes.
“Of course, someone as beautiful as you should be shown the world.” His breath fanned over my ear, leaving a moist-like film over it. The urge to scrub at my skin was all too real. I smiled through it and leaned against him.
“You know, if tonight goes well, I could be the one to give it to you.” His blue eyes were dull and too perfect. “Show you the world, I mean. We could do weekend trips to Rome and vacations to the Bahamas.”
What an empty promise.
I knew James’s reputation already. He’d promised at least half the workers at Silver Dreams to whisk them away from the whoring lifestyle and to give them money and happiness.
It was bullshit, and he never delivered past two weeks.
Every single person who’d followed him came crying back after being gone for a short while.
“What’s that piece there?” I asked, pointing to the far side of the open-floor gallery.
I needed to see more of the place. Cesare had to be somewhere around here. James’s rambling fell to the background as I checked out every face and prayed each time it was Cesare. My stomach flipped the longer I went without seeing him.
What if this is a bust?
No, Benito confirmed he’d be here. There was no way Cesare missed out on this. The man was a fucking workaholic although he was apparently supposed to be retired. I caught sight of salt-and-pepper hair, standing at least over six feet. My heart rate picked up and jumped straight into my throat.
Do I look good? Fuck, where is a mirror when I need one?
James’s arm snaked around my waist, and I nearly lost it. I twisted around to jab him in the throat but stopped when the man turned the corner. It was, in fact, not Cesare.
“Are you okay?” James asked, squeezing my ass before moving his hand back up to my lower back.
I forced down the shudder and plastered a shy smile on my face. “Yes, there is just so much to look at.”
“James, it’s so good to see you.” A group of men headed our way, and I personally wanted to thank them for taking his attention.
A sigh worked its way free, but it was short lived as I tried to hunt Cesare down without being noticed. I discreetly checked out any hidden corners I could see, but still, my man wasn’t to be found.
Come on, Cesare, show up.
As if the universe itself was finally on my side, I finally caught sight of Cesare. My breath caught and it took everything in me not to go run over to him. I forced myself to look away from him. If I stared too hard, he'd no doubt know.
Stay subtle.
I let out a measured breath and slowly tuned back into whatever James was saying.
Aya and Patrick saw him often, and the one warning they had about the man was duly noted.
He was a talker. I wasn't even sure he'd stopped to take in enough oxygen at the rate he was going. Even as the men who’d originally walked off with their partners, James continued to talk.
We moved from one art piece to another. It was getting harder and harder to keep up the facade that I was remotely interested in anything they had hanging up.
I couldn’t tell the difference from one painting to the other.
My sole focus was a single man. The woman on his arm didn’t even match his type.
She shamelessly touched him like he was hers.
If I could, I’d shove you down stairs.
The imagery of her breaking her neck down a flight of stairs was the only thing keeping me sane as she whispered in his ear.
Stop letting her touch you.
My stomach was burning the longer I had to witness the pair. They didn’t fit, not like him and I did.
“Rafael.” James gripped my chin and turned my head.
Fuck, I messed up.
I softened my features slightly. I removed his hand slowly and leaned into his space. “The painting called Butterfly Wind was still on my mind, sorry.”
James visibly relaxed, checking over my shoulder. I was slipping up, but I wasn’t sloppy. I knew exactly what art displays were behind me.
“Would you like to go look at it again?” He pulled me tightly against his body. “Or I could buy it for you. Being with me, you could have any painting you want.”
What I want is for you to jump off a bridge.
“Let’s enjoy tonight. I don’t make deals with clients.”
James chuckled, but I worked myself free as much as I could. Any distance between us was good. The moment we weren’t plastered against one another, I could breathe. The hairs at the nape of my neck stood on edge.
He's watching me.