18. Dante #3
“No, they keep you trapped.” She reached over to brush her fingers against mine. “You’ve been playing this role for so long, I sometimes wonder if you remember who you really are underneath all those layers.”
“That’s the point. There is no me without the layers.”
She squeezed my hand. “But someday, when you’re free of all this, you’ll need to know who you are beyond the performance.”
“Maybe,” I conceded.
“He’s making you feel things you don’t want to feel, isn’t he?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.” She stroked the back of my hand in silent comfort. “It’s okay to be attracted to someone, Dante. It’s okay to want something for yourself.”
I sighed. “Not in our line of work, it isn’t.”
“We give so much of ourselves to others. Don’t we deserve something real for ourselves?”
“Real isn’t an option for me right now.” I pulled my hand away. “You know that.”
“It could be. Eventually.” Her eyes held mine, communicating what we couldn’t say aloud. She knew about my long-term plans, my determination to free myself, even if she didn’t know about Raphael’s role in my motivation.
“Besides,” she said, her playful smile returning, “having allies who make you feel good isn’t such a bad thing.”
I nodded, acknowledging her point without verbally committing to it.
Her smile turned teasing once more. “I’m sure having him on your side would be a lot more fun than having him against you. Though I bet having him against you would be pretty fun too, if you know what I mean.”
“Subtle.” I rolled my eyes. “What makes you say that?”
She rewarded my openness by giving me answers without the game. “He talks about you as if you’re some rare, precious treasure he can’t believe he’s found. It’s kind of sweet, if you’re into that romantic Italian bullshit.”
“Which you are.”
“Guilty as charged.” She grinned. “You know what we should do? We should arrange a threesome. You, me, and the Italian sex god.”
The suggestion sent a jolt of heat through me. “For a client?”
“That’s how we’ll justify it to management, but it would be for us.”
“Who did you have in mind?”
“What about the Vega brothers?” Natalia suggested. “Those two pay top dollar and constantly seek new experiences.”
The siblings ran the largest drug distribution network on the East Coast, using their chain of nightclubs as fronts. As regular clients who preferred watching rather than participating, they were ideal for what Natalia was suggesting.
“That could work,” I agreed. “Or there’s Nikolai Petrov. He’s been asking for something special for his birthday next month.”
“The Russian arms dealer? Perfect. He loves watching beautiful people pleasure each other. And he tips obscenely well.” Her eyes were bright with anticipation.
“Can you imagine it? The three most talented people in that brothel, all focused on giving each other orgasms while some rich asshole pays through the nose for the privilege of observing without touching?”
The concept of their combined attention flooded me with lust. “Against my better judgment, I’m in.”
Her smile widened. “Perfect. I’ll start feeling out Nikolai next time he visits.”
“When he agrees, Ishi can handle the arrangements.”
“You’ll have my people talk to your people?” Natalia giggled. “Look at us, coordinating our calendars like proper professionals. Though I’m not sure there’s anything professional about planning the threesome of the century.”
“I prefer to think of it as strategic resource allocation.”
“Ugh, you’re such a business major.” She playfully rolled her eyes. “Always with the corporate speak.”
“It’s called code-switching.”
“It’s called being a repressed overachiever.” Her grin turned flirty. “But don’t worry, Renato and I will fuck that right out of you.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You can try.”
“Oh, we will.” She checked her watch and sighed. “As much fun as this is, I should get going. I have a client in an hour, and I need to prep.”
“Anyone interesting?”
“Some dumbass tech CEO billionaire who likes to be pegged and spanked while I berate him for being a naughty boy because he’s exploiting his workers.
” She stood, gathering her things. “I’m going to break him until he gives his entire staff at least a twenty percent raise, so it’s just your standard Tuesday fare. You know how it is.”
“Maybe we’ll run into each other next week?” It was framed as a question for anyone listening, but it was my confirmation to her we’d meet again.
“Wouldn’t miss it.” She leaned down and gave me an affectionate kiss. “Think about what I said about allowing yourself something real.”
“I’ll consider it.”
“That’s all I ask.” She squeezed my arm. “Oh, and I expect a full report if you and Renato hook up before our threesome. Every dirty detail.”
“Don’t hold your breath.”
“Too late.” She laughed as she put on sunglasses. “I’ve already got a countdown in my head until I get to watch him take you apart. It’s going to be magnificent.”
I rolled my eyes. “Goodbye, Natalia.”
“Ciao, bello.” She mimicked Renato’s accent, laughing as she sauntered toward the door, turning heads as she went.