The Carrero Contract - Selling Your Soul (Mafia Romance)

I head back for the lift and go downstairs.

I do a walk through with Jackson following me, around all the rooms and seating areas, pointing out tiny things that should be rectified before Showtime. Such as the squint light on the ceiling of the largest lounge pit in the main VIP lounge. And the lopsided fabric of one of the swags up over the stage. He goes off to find a ladder and I drill the staff who have come in early to do last minute prep on tonight’s running. I am in boss mode and trying to focus all my nerves on the little details. An area I have always excelled at.

‘Keep the champagne circulating; always have full trays walking around, and keep the food going too. Treat this like a charity event where you would constantly have canapés and booze being distributed among the guests. If they are sitting, then watch for them gesturing you over. I want every single man who comes in here to feel like he has our full and utmost attention on them and feel special, all night. No matter who they are.’ I sound stern as I watch the little gathered arc of eyes on me for direction—my mix of servers and bar staff.

‘Yes, Miss Walters.’ I get an echo from all of them, all eyes on me as I pace back and forth agitatedly. I am aware that I am getting more frantic as golden hour looms upon us and I don’t know how to settle my nerves. I don’t remember it being this bad first time we had our opening night here, but maybe that’s because Alexi helped take control and all the weight was not on my shoulders alone. His presence has been a huge void all day.

‘You all now have these.’ I point to the little mic chip on the collar of the nearest girl. An exact replica to the ones Alexi and all his security use. I don’t have one because I don’t want the distraction of them talking to one another all night when I need a clear head to keep my eyes on the entire scene.

‘Any problems at all, you press it and talk. Security is all wired in to one another and as long as you state where you are and say RED, they will come. Don’t use it for anything other than that.’

‘So, we say … Main lounge, red?’ The young blonde dimwit who is forever questioning me speaks up and I turn and stare her down. Not impressed with her butting in.

‘Yes Veronica, like that,’ I snap.

‘It’s Victoria …’ She butts in shyly and I just eyeroll at her in annoyance.

‘That’s nice, Veronica. Now shut up, I’m talking,’ I retort cattily, more prone to my bitch side lately while my emotions have been a little overwrought. I am still very much a believer of leaving my staff a little afraid of me, so they never get too cosy.

‘Don’t abuse it. Only if you feel like there’s an issue or risk. Not for anything else. Right, Veronica? Our security is working too and watching everything, so don’t annoy them.’

Dimwit nods her head like an overenthusiastic puppy and I just sigh at her, wondering what possessed me to not give IQ tests when hiring for this place. Sometimes I swear I got the barrel scrapings of the pick. The rest of my staff all nod quietly.

I have to brief the escorts when they arrive of the new measures put in place for their safety and apart from that, get ready for tonight. I am planning on a good long soak in the tub and I have a leisurely two hours left to make up and put on my new dress.

I have gone for black sequins all over in a very elegant little cocktail number. It’s got a scoop cowl neck and lace-up corset back that helps hold my girls up with cleavage popping effect. Shoulders and a little boobage on show subtly, yet long moulded sleeves and comes to around my knees—Sexy yet not overly so.

‘Ok, chop chop. Make sure everything sparkles like a diamond and nothing is out of place. We have two hours till Showtime and you lot have to carry on organising all the food onto trays and get everything perishable into the refrigerators in the kitchen. Work out between you who is overseeing the food side and who is overseeing the Champagne. I want the bars tended up and down all night as we have guests in both lounges.’ I clap my hands at them, more so to focus my own brain back on task and get another round of nods.

with a hand gesture. I click my fingers at Jones, the head of floor security here, and he walks over towards me with that same unemotional,

another Carrero of some kind, or he’s just very Italian with good looks. I sort of can’t tell with some

cards to the rooms and their panic alarms. They have to wear them at all times. I will be down to see them before we open the doors, but I want them briefed on your new protocols if they encounter trouble. We don’t want anything to go wrong tonight.’ I am less haughty with this man as I know he is very capable and runs his detail with an authority and attention that I respect. He’s never

in that same deadpan tone,

lot to prove to myself and to that

you know … disregard anything she says unless she’s screaming rape or someone has her cornered in the BDSM room … Maybe.’ I smile wickedly, a hint of humour seeping out

more than a few minutes and it is starting to drive me mental. I need something to do with myself to stop my antsy pacing and obsessive order issuing. Maybe I should go take that soak in my bath

door, getting level with the lift cut-off and nod to the two securities whose detail it is to guard this door all night as

from sheer force, and Alexi and Mico come dashing in, looking like their arses are

first appearance all week and just stand to gawp at whatever they are doing. Comical

door shut dramatically and forcefully in anger and Mico bursts out laughing before spotting

to kill Alexi on sight?’ He throws me a smile and I just look bewildered. Confused with what the hell is going on and why they both seem to be breathless from walking the ten feet from the

you talking about?’ I

new guard dog taking a liking to my fucking leg—Your fucking cat!!’ Alexi snaps at me, irate, openly annoyed and bends down to rub his leg under the knee and then his thigh. It’s the first time I notice three little dots of blood appearing through the denim of his

you?’ I can’t help the giggling that bursts forth through my words, and he glares at me, straightening up and snarls my way. All thoughts that he might come back nicer than

be run over,’ he

should he. Leave him alone.’ I answer drily, hands on hips. The air sizzles once more with our familiar

and smug that he got what

reach for his gun, I freak out impulsively. Jumping at Alexi and grabbing his arm to pull him away with a sudden swelling of complete crazy

dare!!! Don’t you fucking dare!! You leave him alone, you hear me!’ Tears blur my vision instantly. Panic grips me as my insides feel zapped by a voltage of pain at the thought of him hurting Feral, and my voice wobbles as I try to restrain him, getting an Alexi set of hands on my shoulders as he pushes me

me, using his forearm to push me away from him because I am still stupidly battling his hands to

Hardly a gentleman!

character … maybe he can sense what a prick you are?’ I throw at him and he just smiles

back. I totally missed the sunshine that you are in my life, Cam.’ Alexi pushes past me and heads for the lift, dismissing me and this topic, meaning he is going upstairs and I just sigh heavily

till opening, I guess he’s getting ready here. In his room,