Chapter 45
Alessandro
We’re using the boardroom at our waterfront office for the big meeting later today. I want all my men there in a show of force when we meet with Oleg and Toly. And Giada.
But first, I have a surprise for Lennon.
Big Tony is driving us there now. I’m having a hard time keeping my hands off Lennon in the backseat.
An amused grin ghosts my lips as she tugs at the little black, silk Chanel dress I bought for her to wear today.
She’s trying to cover up the swell of her cleavage, but it's designed to showcase it.
I slide a hand up her silky thigh and let my fingers brush the edge of her panties.
Her breath hitches and she stops squirming, a spark in her green eyes catching fire.
Much better. If we were alone, I’d slide my finger beneath the silk and into her wet pussy to give her something else to think about.
“You look beautiful,” I say instead. “We’re almost there.”
“You know I don’t like surprises,” she huffs.
I let a slow smile form. “Yes, you do, Angel.”
I can see her fighting her own smile. “Okay, fine, I do.”
We pull up to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
I help Lennon out of the backseat and intertwine our fingers as I lead her over to Jessica Eaton and her photographer.
Lennon is sneaking glances at me out of the corner of her eye. I hope this means as much to her as I think it will. I have a lot of making up to do for the pain my engagement to Giada caused her.
“Mr. LaRocca.” Jessica Eaton is tall with a strong, prominent nose, and her blonde hair is cut in a sleek bob at her shoulders. She offers her hand, and we shake. “And this must be Lennon. Stunning just as you described.” Her gaze sweeps over Lennon, and her smile grows. “Call me Jessica.”
Lennon shakes her hand, still wary. But her shoulders are back, her hair blowing in the breeze, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity. She looks like a true queen. And she’s finally mine. It hasn’t fully sunk in yet.
Jessica’s manicured hand flutters over her heart.
“Our readers are going to eat up your story. Childhood love. Redemption. A fairytale ending. Hope. That’s what we’re selling them.
Hope that their dreams can come true, too.
” She claps her hands and whirls around to the man waiting silently behind her, with a 35mm camera slung over his shoulder and more gear at his feet. “This is Mateo.”
Mateo holds up a hand in greeting. “We discussed the vibe for the photos to accompany the interview and decided a powerful businessman like yourself should have the city behind him.” She points to the water fountain. “Water adds an element of emotion. This is a love story after all.”
Lennon’s head whips around, and I can feel her stare burning the side of my face. I let the corner of my mouth raise, and then I turn and wink at her. She grins and I swear to fuck it’s like the sun coming out.
Mateo grabs his tripod and motions to us.
I interlace my fingers with Lennon’s and follow him.
“We’ll do some formal poses first and then some more fun, relaxed ones,” he says.
As we position ourselves in front of the waterfall, Lennon’s back to my front, I lean down and whisper in her ear. “This is our debut story for the Tampa Times. Now everyone will know who I truly belong to.”
I feel her relax in my arms.
“That’s it,” Mateo encourages. “Beautiful smile, Lennon. Hold that.”
***
We’re in the boardroom, seated around the table. The blinds are drawn so there are no distractions. I’m in the middle with Lennon on my right, and Gunnar on my left.
Rocco, Caelian, Fausty and Killian round out the rest of the seats. Big Tony is stationed outside the room with another armed guard, and half a dozen more soldiers in the lobby in case the Russians try anything stupid.
There’s a mixture of excitement and stress buzzing in the room.
Big Tony opens the door and ushers in Toly, his father and two of their guards. He gives me a nod.
Toly and Oleg take a seat across from us, their guards parking themselves against the back wall. They are both on edge, their eyes shifting to each of my men.
I introduce everyone and then fold my hands on the table.
“I’ve called this meeting to let you know the New York Commission, along with Santino Zerilli, have agreed to the terms of our tentative deal.
” I hold up a hand as Oleg smirks. “Toly will marry Giada Zerilli, and their children will inherit Santino Zerilli’s empire.
All skin trade will stop immediately here.
Including the Russian women in your bars.
They are to be given their passports back and released. ”
Lennon shifts beside me, and I know this pleases her. “We will continue to get the same percentage of profits from Santino’s businesses.” I nod to Caelian. “My consigliere has the contract with the exact numbers. You can have your lawyer look them over. You have twenty-four hours.”
Caelian slides a manilla envelope across the table to Toly.
I continue. “Obviously Toly and Giada will stay in Tampa. But,” I shift my attention to Oleg. “Oleg, for your attack on me and Lennon, you will leave Tampa.”
Oleg’s mouth tightens. He glances around the room, knowing this isn’t the time to pick a fight, then forces a smile. “Now that Toly will be established here and there will be peace, I have no reason to stay. There are things in Miami that need my attention anyway.”
The door opens again and Big Tony smirks at me as Giada struts in, perfectly coiffed in a fitted red dress, her neck, wrist and hands glittering with diamonds. Including the one that will soon be removed from her finger.
She takes in the room, sees Lennon and freezes.
Toly stands and pulls out the chair beside him. “Sit, dorogaya.”
Nostrils flaring and anger tightening the cords in her neck, she slowly sits and glares at me. “What’s the meaning of this? What’s she doing here?”
I rest my hand on Lennon’s knee beneath the table.
“Things have changed, Giada.” I motion to Toly, sitting smugly beside her, eyeing her like a piece of meat.
“Our engagement has been called off. Your father has agreed to an arranged marriage between you and Anatoly Romanov. I’d make introductions, but I know you’re already acquainted. ”
I take pleasure in the widening of her eyes, though she keeps her body still.
“Your father wants his empire to stay intact, so without a male heir, it will be passed down through you to your and Anatoly’s children.
” I’d notified Santino about Milo’s death as a courtesy.
I have no idea if he told Giada yet, but by her non-reaction, I’d say he has.
She scoffs. “Is this a joke? My father would never let me marry a Russian.” She glances nervously at Toly. “No offense.”
Toly grips the back of her neck and leans in, whispering in her ear.
Her face pales, but there’s a quiet anger building behind her dark eyes. She’s glaring at me. “And what? You think now that you’re free of me, New York is just going to let you marry your little whore?”
Lennon flinches beside me. I take her hand and intertwine our fingers. Then I lay both our hands on the table with her engagement ring face up. “They have already agreed. Sorry, you won’t be invited to the wedding.”
Giada’s red lips tighten as she stares at the ring on Lennon’s finger. Her chest rises and falls with rapid breaths.
Anger. Panic. Betrayal. Whatever she’s feeling, I don’t give a fuck. This little show is for Lennon. After the stunt Giada pulled at the fundraiser, I needed to give Lennon her power back. And some petty revenge doesn’t hurt either.
I glance at Toly and nod.
He reaches over and slips the engagement ring off Giada’s finger. She watches him with a stunned expression as he slides it across the table to me. I hand it to Killian. “It’s worth about two million. Use it to buy your yacht.”
“Aye, mate. Thanks.” Killian winks at Giada, which sends her over the edge.
She tries to stand, but Toly grabs her arm. “Sit the fuck down.”
Rebellion dances in her eyes, but it’s waring with fear. She looks at Toly and whatever she sees in his expression has her lowering back into the chair.
Toly digs in the pocket of his slacks and pulls out a velvet box. He slaps it on the table in front of Giada. “Now you wear my ring. The wedding will be tomorrow.” He grabs her jaw and presses his mouth to hers, slipping his tongue inside.
She’s trying to pull away but his grip is punishing.
Finally he releases her with a dark chuckle. “A fighter. I like it.”