Chapter 25
TWENTY-FIVE
Marchello
This wasn’t my territory, where my name was enough to get the job done, and it wasn’t New York, where negotiating a deal wasn’t as difficult as it would be with a cartel. Here, my name might be enough to get me in the door with men like Martino, but it didn’t guarantee I could walk away with what I wanted.
“No.” I tapped my hand on the bar.
“No?” Lucas asked. “That’s what you want me to take back to them?”
“Did I stutter?” I glanced across the room to Lissia and Dom engaging in an intense conversation. “I won’t agree to Martino’s request not to go after Diego. If he wants to protect him, then so be it.”
“Marchello.” Lorenzo leaned against the bar. “Can you afford another war?”
“I’ll do what has to be done,” I said.
Walking away from this deal wasn’t just about Diego. It was about showing my father, my enemies, and myself that I could hold the line. That I could protect my wife and my empire without compromise.
“Another war in the name of Lissia.” Lucas pressed his lips together and glared at me in disapproval.
“Don’t.” I pointed at him. “My father will have my back.”
“They are offering you a substantial cut of their profit.” Lorenzo pushed his glass to the edge of the bar. “I don’t think Juan’s cartel offers you that kind of percentage for moving a few shipments.”
“This isn’t about the money, and you know it.” I finished my shot of vodka. “If I allow Diego to get away with what he did in my territory while my father is trying to bring down that trafficking operation, I look weak.”
“He didn’t know he was encroaching on your territory,” Lorenzo said.
“But he was purchasing a woman. My woman.” I gripped my thigh. “He also came here and approached her without me present. He threatened her and could have killed her if that explosion went off with her in the car. Am I supposed to forget all of that for money?”
“Of course not,” Lorenzo sighed. “I know how valuable she is. I only wonder if there is a way to work this out with Martino.”
“If he wants to work with me, I’m open to it, but I won’t give in on letting Diego off the hook. He sent a message, and now I’m going to respond.” I looked at Lucas. “Tell Martino I appreciate the generous terms, but I can’t accept the offer at this time.”
“I’ll do it now.” Lucas left the bar area, looking less than pleased.
I faced Lorenzo. “I know this isn’t the outcome you were hoping for, but I can’t show weakness.”
“I understand.” Lorenzo glanced at his watch. “You’ve kept your bride waiting long enough.”
“Luckily for me, she understands.” I shook Lorenzo’s hand. “I appreciate everything you did to make this happen.”
“There will be other deals.” He nodded toward Lissia. “I have a few things to take care of and then I’ll stop by and say goodnight.”
I hurried across the room, intrigued to find out what Lissia said to keep Dom so captivated. Did it matter? She had a way with any man who crossed her path. After all, she had me wrapped around her little finger, and she knew it.
“Hey, baby.” She smiled when I approached.
Dom stood from the table and pulled out the chair next to my wife.
“Holding my place?” I sat down.
“Lissia insisted I sit with her.” He cleared his throat. “She’s difficult to say no to.”
“Hmm…” I gazed into her eyes as I spoke to Dom. “What had you so enthralled with my wife?”
“I told him the story about the night you kidnapped me.” She bit the corner of her bottom lip. “He wasn’t shocked.”
“She thought it was a game.” I rested my chin on my hand and smiled when I thought about her asking me to drop her off at the Ritz. “I wasn’t playing.”
“I was more upset that he threw my phone in the river than being taken hostage.” She finished her prosecco. “He growled a lot, but he didn’t scare me.”
“She scared me.” I smirked.
“It’s quite the love story,” Dom said. “Someone should write a book about the two of you.”
“I see it more as a movie.” Lissia slipped her hand inside mine. “Although, I can’t imagine they could find any man sexier than you to play the part.”
“How flattering.” I kissed her fingers. “Looking for a new dress?”
“I did see this amazing Chanel powder blue coat.” Her enchanting eyes sparkled. “It is cold in the city.”
“I’ll get it for you when we get home.” Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough. I’d had enough of Miami. I needed to get to New York and get back to business. There were too many loose ends to address.
I scanned the room, my gaze stopping at the entrance as Lucas entered with Martino and some of his men.
“We have company,” Dom said, a beat behind me. “Should I take Lissia back to the villa?”
“She can stay.” I gripped her hand and met her stare. “As long as you keep it together.”
“I’ll be the obedient mafia wife.” She scooted her chair closer to me.
“How am I supposed to believe that when you don’t?” I asked as the men approached us. “Lucas, you brought an audience to my dinner table?”
“I’m sorry, Marchello, but Martino insisted he speak with you,” Lucas said. “I gave him your message.”
“I was extremely disappointed to hear that you don’t want to do business with me.” Martino glanced at Lissia. “Even if I do understand why.”
“Lissia,” I said. “This is Martino Cortez.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Accetti.”
“Likewise.” Lissia didn’t let go of my hand, probably so she didn’t have to shake Martino’s.
“I realize you’re about to have dinner with your wife,” Martino said. “But can I have a few minutes of your time?”
“There really is nothing left to say, but if you feel you have some unfinished business, you can let it be known now.”
The fact that he wanted another chance to speak with me made me curious. I had sent Lucas as my voice to tell him we didn’t have a deal. Why would he go through the effort of seeking me out now?
“Are you sure you want to discuss it here?” Martino looked at Lissia, but if he was waiting for her to comply, he’d be here all night. “Perhaps we could discuss this in private?”
“I’m not the type of woman who will excuse herself and powder her nose, Mr. Cortez.” Lissia’s voice was calm and controlled. So much for my obedient mafia wife.
Dom stifled a laugh by clearing his throat.
“Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of my wife.” I motioned at the table. “If you could be quick about it, I’d appreciate it. I want to have dinner.”
“We need to stop playing games,” he said.
“Go on.” I wasn’t the one holding up these negotiations. I had one demand, and if he couldn’t meet it, I didn’t need to work with him.
“You know that I need your ports,” he said. “I also know what I offered you is something that no one else is willing to give you.”
“The percentage on the take was very generous, but it can’t always be about money, can it?” I gazed into Lissia’s eyes. “I have to protect what’s mine.”
“What if I said I could look the other way when it comes to Diego?”
“Then I would probably say we have a deal.”
“To the terms that were already stated?” Martino asked.
“I have something you need.” I let go of Lissia’s hand and held it out in front of Martino. “Access to my ports is so valuable to you that you’re willing to betray another’s trust. That puts you in an extremely vulnerable position. I hope you understand that?”
I waited for the handshake, but I also wanted to give him one last chance to walk away. Eagerness when it came to business was never my style.
“You let me worry about that.” He grasped my hand and gave it a hearty shake. “I look forward to working with you.”
“You can start by letting Diego know that you and I have entered into an agreement and that he has nothing to worry about.” There was no need to let Diego see me coming until I was there.
“If that’s how you want to play it, that’s fine with me. I need my products moved as soon as possible.”
“Lucas will be in touch to put the final details in place for your shipping arrangements.”
“I look forward to it.” Martino nodded. “Mrs. Accetti.”
“Have a good night, Mr. Cortez.” Lissia picked up her empty flute as the group of men walked away. “I don’t trust him.”
“You shouldn’t,” I said. “And for the record, your nose looks just fine.”
“Oh, that?” She smiled. “Only you have the right to ask me to leave a conversation.”
“I will only ever do that if it’s for your safety.”
Lucas and Dom made themselves scarce so Lissia and I could have dinner.
I grabbed the bottle of prosecco chilling in the bucket by the table. “We’re heading home in the morning. My business here is finished.”
“What about Diego?”
“He’s going on the backburner for now.” I filled her glass and placed the empty bottle on the table. “He might be useful to my father if he needs more information on the trafficking ring.”
“Your mind is extremely intricate.” She sipped her fresh drink. “There isn’t an impulsive bone in your body.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” I kissed her softly. “You’ve made me do some pretty impulsive shit.”
“Somehow, I think everything that has occurred between us was well thought-out and calculated.” She caressed my cheek. “I find that very sexy.”
“You know what I find sexy?” I slipped my hand between her legs and traced my fingers along her upper thigh. “How you never back down.”
“You mean you like my defiance?” She took a long sip from her flute. “That’s disappointing.”
“Why?”
“Because I like your belt, and now how am I supposed to get you to use it on me?”
“Haven’t you figured out by now that you don’t have to misbehave for me to punish you?”
“I just have to give you what you want.”
“Be as wild as you need to be.” I coasted my fingers higher, touching the edge of her panties. “I’ll always rein you back in, but don’t mistake my patience for mercy, princess. When I take you later, you’ll remember who you belong to.”
The server approached us with another bottle of prosecco and a glass of vodka.
“Mr. Accetti,” she said. “Compliments of Mr. Garcia.”
“Tell Lorenzo we said thank you.” I smiled at her. “We’re going to have dinner in a bit.”
“Just let me know when you’re ready.” She placed the drinks on the table before picking up the empty prosecco bottle. “I’ll be around.”
She sauntered away from the table, swinging her long blond ponytail behind her.
“She thinks you’re hot.” Lissia licked her top lip, and my cock stirred.
“What makes you say that?”
“Because she didn’t even look at me.” She motioned toward the new bottle of prosecco. “Let’s take that back to the villa.”
“What about dinner?”
“We can order in.” She moved her hand along my thigh. “I want to be the only woman to look at you tonight.”
“I’m not going to argue, but there is something you need to know.”
“What’s that?” She dropped her gaze to my lap and smirked. “I already know you’re hard.”
“I am, but that’s not what I wanted to tell you.” I leaned in and trailed my lips along her jaw, then whispered, “I can’t even tell you what that server looks like because you’re the only woman I’ll ever see.”
“You always have the right words.”
She turned her face and pressed her lips to mine. When we touched, nothing else mattered. The sweet apple flavor of the prosecco lingered in her mouth as our tongues mingled. I placed my hand on the small of her back, drawing her as close to me as I could without pulling her into my lap.
“Chello, if you don’t stop, I’m going to hike up my dress and ride you in front of all these people.”
“I might not stop you.” I yanked her into my lap, causing the glasses on our table to rattle. “Go for it.”
“Are you crazy?” Her eyes widened as she looked around the dining room. “People are staring at us.”
“Do you want me to shoot them?” I kissed her neck. “You already know I will kill for you.”
“You’re insane.” She giggled. “Let’s get out of here.”
“And you said I couldn’t be impulsive.” I scooted her out of my lap and stood. “Wait until you see what I do to you later.”
“I’ll definitely need this.” She swiped the bottle of prosecco off the table and took my hand.
“I’m going to pour that all over you and then lick every inch of you.”
“Let’s hurry.”
Her throaty laugh filled me with such joy. When had we ever had this kind of moment in public? Although, had we ever been like this—light, silly, and in love—in private? Just the two of us being ourselves, and not worrying about what came next.
This was the most burden-free I had ever felt, but just like that…
Four men in off-the-rack suits and dull shoes entered the dining area.
I pulled Lissia to my side, stopping her from moving.
Their haircuts were cheap, and their poorly grown facial hair needed to be manicured.
“Fuck,” I mumbled.
“What?” She followed my gaze. “Who are they?”
“Aggravation.”
“They don’t look like gangsters.”
“They’re worse.” I tightened my hold on her. “They’re cops.”
Lucas got up from the bar and hurried over as the four detectives crossed the dining room and headed right for me.
“Are they here for you?” Lissia looked up at me. “What should we do?”
“I’ll handle it.” I gently kissed her. “Whatever happens, it’s not a big deal. As long as you stay in control and keep quiet, you have nothing to worry about.”
“Marchello Accetti,” said the first one to reach me.
I nudged Lissia in Dom’s direction, paying more attention to her than I did to the men who were about to ruin my night. Once she was by Dom’s side, I turned my attention to the four nuisances standing in front of me.
“How can I help you gentlemen?” I asked.
“Turn around and put your hands behind your back,” one of them said, pulling out a pair of handcuffs while another trained their gun on me. “You’re under arrest.”
The cuffs snapped around my wrists, but the real weight came from Lissia’s wide-eyed stare. This wasn’t just about me anymore. Every move I made from here would ripple out to her, and I couldn’t afford to misstep.