Page 16 of Owned
Or it should be me…. If I ever get in the mood to complicate my life. Which I won’t.Absolutely fucking not, Caraldi.I’m not ready for that. If I know what’s good for me, I won’t ever be.
But now she’s licking those plump lips of hers. That urge to tilt her face up is back. This time, I don’t fight it. I crook a finger under her chin and raise it. She sucks in a small gasp as I stare into her eyes. Her lips part, and I’m guessing she’s expecting me to kiss her.
“Don’t fuck it up,” I murmur. Then turn back to my desk and sit down. “You can go.” I focus my attention on the paperwork in front of me. I don’t look up until the door shuts behind her.
Chapter 10
Nikki Love
Ileave the staff dressing room after touching up my makeup and head back toward the Platinum Suite. In a hotel known for offering six-star facilities, the VIP area would probably rank a solid twelve. Nothing is too much for these guests. Every staff member looks like someone who just stepped off a catwalk. Premium drinks are all on the house, and so are the meals, which are prepared by a Michelin-star chef.
The amount of money that moves in this place is mind-blowing. I can’t believe there are people in the world who can throw such vast sums around as if it means nothing. And not just money. I’ve seen unbelievable things change hands here. Cars, luxury yachts, racehorses. One man bet a night with his wife – she stood behind him, beautiful as a cover model, not saying a word. I wonder if she felt the way I did when my father dropped his bombshell. It made me feel sick. But I smile at a swarthy man who’s just tossed a tip at a croupier that could pay my rent for a year.
As much as my new role still fills me with trepidation, I’ve had my share of generosity, too. And every cent is stashed in a savings account – it’s nowhere near three million dollars, but it’s my only hope of buying my freedom one day. If there’s even a possibility of that. My father hasn’t reached out since that last message giving me Dario’s name. Though I guess I was the one who blocked him. How the hell could he help anyhow? Lowlife loser.
“Babe! Fill ‘er up, will ya?” A man at a nearby roulette table is snapping his fingers at me. “You know what I like, yeah?” I recognize him as a London tech whizz. I’ve been told he flies in once a month to see if he can work the system. He can’t.
“Certainly, sir,” I smile. “Armand de Brignac Demi Sec on crushed ice. With a cherry.”
“That’s my girl,” he grins. I’ve never known a man to enjoy sweet champagne. And on ice?Whatever.When you’re rolling in dough, you can drink what you like, I guess. I make my way to the bar to put his order in.
“Sorry, hon,” says Eddie, the bartender. “We’re all out. You’ll have to get it from the main floor catering.”
I roll my eyes. “Darn. I’ll head down. If Tom comes looking for me, let him know, would you?” Our floor manager is pretty cool, but I don’t want Tom thinking I’m shirking.
Eddie gives a nod and gets back to his mixing. I make my way to the central casino floor and turn down the hallway that leads to the catering supply area. I’m on my way back with a bottle in an ice bucket when the sound of talking from a nearby office draws me to a halt. I’ve barely spoken to him since I started here, but I’ll never forget the rich, husky sound of his voice. It’s Dario…he’s annoyed with someone. And there’s something familiar about the other voice too.
“No,” Dario says. “The deal is done. I’m not open to negotiation.”
The other man makes a hissing sound. “It’s been two weeks, and what have you done? Nothing. A complete fucking waste.”
“What I do with her is none of your concern,” Dario says. Her? Who is he talking about? I can’t help myself. I hold my breath and tiptoe to the doorway. It’s slightly ajar, and I can just make out his tall form in the center of the room. There are three other men with him, all with their backs to me.
“I’ll buy her back,” the other man says. I edge closer, straining for a better look. And then my heart stops. It’s the man who attacked me that night. The one who tried to rape me. The memory of his hands on my body makes something inside me curl in on itself. I feel sick.
Why is he talking to Dario?
“It’s too late,” Dario replies. “You had your chance when that motherfucker lost his round. It’s too late. The deal is done.”
“You think you can get away with murder,” the other guy grinds out. “You think you own this town because your father is cartel. Well, I’m “family” too. I want my share.”
Cartel? I feel my blood run cold. When they spoke aboutfamily, did they mean mafia? I feel my hand shake, and I steady it.
“Get it somewhere else,” Dario says. “This is not family business. It’s my business. I paid for her, and she’s my property. Nikki Love is mine.”
I bite back a sob. I’d been afraid before, but now I’m truly terrified. My father didn’t gamble me away to some billionaire businessman. He’s lost me to a mob boss.
And now I’m owned by a mafia king.
