The Carrero Contract - Selling Your Soul (Mafia Romance)

I guess the feeling is mutual, he looks devilish in a sexy way still.

And we are back to that little pet name of his that I dislike so much. I stare at him for a long moment, wondering what he has up his sleeve with such a generous offer, and tap my nails on the bar impatiently; Brain in overdrive and not afraid to be shameless.

‘Triple what you paid me before. Seeing as I am no longer hostess and I will make this club better than it ever was. New York!’ I throw my new pet name at him. If it’s good enough for the goose, then it’s good enough for the gander.

I have the upper hand; if he really wants me here then he won’t argue. Triple is probably a little greedy but I think I deserve it after all the shit he put me through. It also means if I save and end up back on the dump then I have instant funding to get far away from here. Backup plan in motion. I’m going to tuck away enough cash to make sure I never end up back in the meat packing district or end up working for another Joe.

He narrows that gaze on me and then breaks into a sly smile and taps his own palm on the bar, mimicking me.

‘Just triple? I was expecting you to ask for a hell of a lot more. Deal! I’ll get it sent over first thing. Now come on. I have something upstairs for you.’ He jumps to his feet, done with this now he thinks it’s settled and starts to head off, but I am not going anywhere just yet, instantly annoyed.

‘Wow, wait! … Who said I was done here? If more money is on the table then I am not just agreeing to that,’ I retort childishly, metaphorically stamping my foot, simmering severe annoyance. I should have asked for more.

‘Already did! Should have aimed higher, baby. Triple until a profit comes rolling in. End of conversation.’ It’s that husky, no more chatter and ‘I am boss’ tone that I bloody hate—I grit my teeth as burning anger circles in my stomach.

Conversation is futile when he has his mind set, and I am in no mood for a fight after a good afternoon and a great mood. I have to stop myself breaking into full-on ‘NOT A CHANCE’ mode and instead try and simmer.

‘FINE! Well, in that case, you better keep your credit card topped up because I have expenses that I need taking care of while I reinvent myself and revive the redhead.’ I sulk haughtily, hating how he managed to manoeuvre me so quickly back under control and took over our negotiation. I am supposed to be wearing the trousers in this, not him. The control freak needs to learn a thing or two about backing down and staying there.

‘Looks red to me.’ Another flash of smug smiles and I can’t do anything except follow him out of the bar because he is still walking off, regardless of my not moving. He isn’t waiting and if I sit here to prove a point he will just go to his dinner and I won’t know what it is he has to give me. He is obviously setting limits on what hold I have over him … and I guess he also just retracted his credit card.

Total Tosser! That didn’t last long.

to battle him on some level,

it obvious I am hurrying to catch up. It’s been months since I was constantly on shoes like

though and I like the fact I am not such a tiny next to Giant Kingpin when I have a few inches to

lets the door

his way with a disinterested smile. Not caring if he

not used to it after spending months with Hoe-anne.’ It’s heavily toned with sarcasm. I just can’t stop taking bites at Joanne, like an itch I have to scratch because even though I’m here, I still haven’t forgiven him for anything that went on before I left here. I still

the very small enclosure. I can smell him from here, more so than sitting in the bleach-fumed bar—Aftershave,

of security guards perched on the desk with the bank of monitors to the right. I am happy to see the two uniformed men sitting behind that are distinctively Carrero and I guess he only trusts blood to watch his club from here on in. I wonder whatever happened to the guard from before, the one who let that arsehole try to take me,

would have extracted whatever information he needed and then literally cut him loose. Not breathing and weighed down with concrete boots in the bottom of the river probably. I wonder if he ever sorted the Santagato issue out and if I am still in danger by coming

baggage. I presume with his sadistic mind he probably has more fun than just

and I don’t harbour anything but real genuine feelings of care when I see him. It’s nothing like what I felt for Alexi, more like sibling affection, if I knew what that was, and even though he looks a lot like him and is a very handsome man. There is just no attraction there at all. Life would be a lot simpler if he and I gelled that way, and he had no fiancée to speak of; but the sad truth is, I’m just not interested in Mico beyond friendship. I adore him; I may even have a sort of love for him. I feel safe

myself for thinking this,

for a powerful and dangerous path and Alexi is

Get a grip, Camilla.

flicks my hair as I pass and earns himself a head turn from Alexi in front of me. I only see the side of his face but it’s a filthy look and I guess he hates that his toy won’t let him touch, but Mico can. He must be furious with that little detail as

Mico on the arm and give him a little twirl of my new dress to show it off— can’t bypass

hips and lift my heel to show off my sexy black patent Louboutin shoes, making a

nice to see you back to how you were. This place has been severely lacking in beautiful redheads.’ Mico hits full

giggle under my breath as I make my way in getting a small shake of the head and knowing smile from Mico. He knows what I was doing, and he finds his cousin’s reaction equally