Chapter 4
Nina
I resist the urge to touch the earpiece I’m forced to wear.
Worried it’s visible, I once again make sure my hair covers my ear as I walk through the lobby of the five-star hotel.
I’m wearing a dark burgundy silk cocktail dress that’s too short, along with five-inch heels, and my hair is up with a few curls framing my face, which is covered in makeup exactly the way Boris likes it.
The lipstick is bold, matching the dress.
My skin is already crawling as if I’m covered in filth.
The gold floral brooch pinned to my chest contains a camera so Boris can see everything.
One slip up and he’ll punish Simi.
Even though I’ve done this before, it doesn’t make it any easier. Nerves spin wildly in my stomach, and I’m nauseated.
You’re doing this for Simi.
I can feel men’s eyes follow me as I walk, and when I take the carpeted steps down to the bar area, a group sitting at a nearby table notices me.
They proceed to stare, and one of the men whispers, “Fuck, look at that body.” My skin crawls at his remark.
“Dressed like that, it’s clear she’s here for dick. I’m going to shoot my shot.”
Doing my best to ignore them, I continue moving toward the bar. More men notice me, and soon, there are a few blatantly ogling me.
My stomach churns, and I clutch my purse tighter.
I suppress every instinct in me that wants to turn around and leave before this goes any further. The noise of the bar is overwhelming, a mix of low voices, glasses clinking, music humming in the background.
Apprehension crawls beneath my skin, and my pulse starts to speed up, sharp and fast.
I concentrate on keeping my breaths even and do my best to hide the fact that I’m seconds away from unraveling.
The tiny camera hidden in the brooch feels like it’s burning my skin right through the fabric of the dress, and it’s a constant reminder that I somehow have to seduce a dangerous man.
Just get through this for Simi.
The thought of my precious daughter is enough to make me focus on the other people in the bar.
I glance over the room, trying to act as if I belong here. I take in the tables, two exits, and faces I don’t care about.
As I wait for Boris to give me my next instruction, my gaze moves over a man who’s sitting alone at a table, and before I can process it, my eyes snap back to him.
A different kind of nervous sensation ripples through my body as I stare at him.
His attention is on his phone, and he’s not doing anything that sets him apart from the others, but still, he holds my attention.
Because of everything I’ve been forced to endure, I’m disgusted by men.
But not by this one.
I’m so caught by surprise, my lips part.
Then he glances up, and with a sharp gaze, he looks to his right. Slowly, his eyes sweep through the bar, moving in my direction.
Good God, he’s distractingly attractive.
My heart beats faster and faster because I’ve never seen such a gorgeous man before.
Please, don’t let it be him.
I tear my gaze away from the handsome man and glance at the other patrons, anxiously waiting to hear who the target is.
‘The man straight ahead at the back of the room. He’s sitting alone and is busy on his phone,’ Boris’ voice comes over the earpiece.
My stomach drops as my attention snaps back to the attractive man, and I take in the rest of him. His short and neat dark brown hair. The hard line of his jaw and the stubble that makes him look more dangerous than polished.
There’s nothing soft about him, nothing inviting, and somehow that only makes it more difficult to look away.
My gaze drifts lower, catching on the way the charcoal button-down shirt stretches over his broad chest. When he shifts slightly, the matte fabric pulls just enough to make it obvious that he’s all muscle, and I hate that I notice.
‘Move closer,’ Boris snaps.
Feeling very uncomfortable and even more nervous, I take a step toward his table.
‘Smile! You look stiff.’ Another order is barked at me.
Of course, Boris would have eyes and cameras on me as well, so he can see everything that happens.
My lips press together for a second before I force them to soften into what I hope looks like an inviting smile.
I take in Georgi Torrisi’s arms. With the sleeves rolled up, I see his tanned skin and veins. The watch around his left wrist looks expensive. My attention remains on it for a moment until I recognize the brand. Patek Philippe.
He’s also wearing a ring on his middle finger and another on his pinky.
I love his style.
I keep moving, even though every step toward Georgi makes my chest feel tighter, and the weight of what I’m about to do bears down on me like a ton of bricks.
I can still feel the other men in the bar watching me, their gazes clinging to my back. The unwanted attention makes my skin crawl again.
Don’t think about anyone else. Just focus on the capo of the Cosa Nostra.
Oh God. This is not going to be easy.
As I get closer, something in the air shifts. Up until now, he was the prey, but the next instant, his eyes snap to me, and it feels like the tables are turned. I swear I feel a wave of energy roll over me, and my muscles tighten as if my body is getting ready to flee.
There’s no surprise on his face, his hazel eyes sharp, making it feel like he’s able to see right through me.
Shit.
Panic flares up in my chest, but somehow, I take the final couple of steps.
His posture doesn’t change, his expression stays the same, but there’s something coiled beneath it, controlled and ready to strike.
‘Don’t hesitate,’ Boris hisses. ‘He’s a known playboy so it will be easy.’
Apprehension slithers down my spine because this is definitely not going to be as easy as Boris thinks.
All the previous men I had to lure to their deaths were older and usually drunk.
‘Don’t lose your nerve!’ Boris snaps angrily.
As I stop by the table and Georgi stares at me, my mouth feels bone dry as I lick over my lips to wet them.
When I try to say something, my breath catches in my throat.
My heart pounds hard against my ribs, and for a moment I’m so flustered I forget everything.
The plan, the lies, the men waiting outside.
“Hi,” I manage to croak.
Georgi tilts his head slightly to the right, then his eyes drift down my body before returning to my face. “Hi.”
One single word, his voice deep and rough, sends tingles rushing over my skin. My gut screams for me to get away. Not because I’m playing with fire by trying to seduce a capo, but because I’ve never felt the things he’s making me feel, and it scares me.
‘Nina!’ Boris roars so loudly in my ear that for a second I fear Georgi might have heard him. ‘I will fucking lock you in that basement, and you’ll watch as I beat Simona the way I beat your worthless mother!’
The threat instantly clears my mind, and forcing a seductive smile to my face, I move closer.
Instead of taking the seat across from Georgi, I pull out the chair beside him and pivot it toward him.
Sitting down, I rest my elbow on the table next to me, then slowly cross my legs, letting my foot brush against his calf before I meet his eyes.
“I saw you from across the room and couldn’t resist joining you. I hope you don’t mind.”
I’m sorry. It’s either you or my daughter.
Georgi
I’ve taken many beautiful women to bed, but fuck, I’ve never laid eyes on anything quite as exquisite as the woman who just joined me.
Still stunned by her beauty and the way she’s coming on to me, I can’t stop myself from staring, my usual charm taking a minute to kick in.
Her dark brown hair falls in soft curls around her heart-shaped face and down her back. Smooth olive skin. Wide and soft brown eyes. A button nose. High cheekbones.
Christ, this woman is pure perfection.
My eyes lower, drinking in the sexy sight of her black dress that’s practically molded to her body. Her breasts. Her small waist.
Fuck, those legs. The fabric sits high on her thighs, and it makes my cock harden at the speed of light.
Only then do I pick up on the nervous energy coming off her, which is in total contrast to the way she’s acting.
Interesting.
I was planning only to have one drink while I checked my emails and messages, but now that this beauty is here, I’m game for whatever she has planned.
Because I don’t plan to leave the hotel, I told the guards to stay with Raya. I doubt someone will attack me in the bar, but if anyone is stupid enough, I can defend myself, and I’m armed.
Wanting to see what she’ll do, I smirk and lean back in my chair, resting my hands on my thighs. “I don’t mind at all.”
Ball’s in your court, sweetheart.
“What’s your name?” she asks, her eyes drifting down to my lap where the outline of my hard-on is visible, before darting back to my face.
There’s a flash of unease on her face, but it’s gone as quickly as it came.
“Georgi,” I answer, keeping my voice low. “What’s yours?”
“Nina.”
I feel her foot brush against my calf, and the smirk on my face grows. “Do you want to take this to a room?”
She lets out an uneasy chuckle. “You’re very confident.”
My eyes narrow on her. “You’re very nervous.”
“I’m not nervous.” She squares her shoulders, pushing out her perfect breasts.
“Good.” The word is nothing more than a low rumble. “Makes getting you upstairs easier.”
“Wow.” Another chuckle escapes her. “Do you always move this fast?”
“Only when a beautiful woman walks up to me looking like she’s working up the courage to do something reckless, and I’m all about being reckless in bed, baby.”
Her lips part, and a pink blush forms on the apples of her cheeks. “Maybe I just wanted company.”
I shrug. “You picked the right table for that.” I lean forward and, unable to resist, I brush the tips of my fingers up the inside of her calf until I reach her knee. “Or we can skip the act of you pretending you want to get to know me and get straight to the fun part.”
Her features tighten slightly. “That’s a bold assumption.”