22. Bianca

Theo looks at me as if I disgust him.

After my father lets that bomb drop, we both sit once again, and negotiations start. I"ve always known my father"s businesses weren"t legal. Hell, if he can get rid of a body so quickly, it makes sense that he isn"t a model citizen. But now? He"s blatantly flaunting his connection to the Italian mafia. If that isn"t enough, he has to also get involved with the Gallaghers.

Now that Enzo has revealed their plans and how the Irishmen will be involved in the business, I"m sure the arenas they want to install in New York are for to-the-death matches. I"d heard about them before; their type is prevalent in Boston and Philly, with some pop-ups in New Mexico and Nevada. They have an impressive audience, and the fighters can make big bucks in the ring. I can see why they"d want to move this to NYC too; the reach would be incredible.

Still, I can"t help but worry about Theo and how they"re forcing him to conform. For a moment, I wonder if Vlad knows about this, since he always has the scoop on everything that happens in the city. He"s got to have known, so why didn"t he say anything?

The men are now going to my father"s study to hash out the details over a drink. I"m almost tempted to follow them, but I know they wouldn"t let me in on the private talks. I"m left with Enzo"s wife, and better than nothing, I decide to take advantage of this to get more information on Agosti.

"We didn"t really get the chance to talk before, with the men going about their businesses," I start, plastering a smile on my face and hoping it looks genuine.

"Oh, please!" she replies, and unlike Enzo, she has no accent. "You don"t need to butter me up for information."

"I don"t?" I raise my eyebrow at her, surprised by her candor.

"You think I didn"t notice Enzo making eyes at you? He wants to fuck you if you didn"t catch on by now," she says flippantly, as if it"s the most normal thing.

"And you"re okay with that?"

"Why wouldn"t I be? We"re only together to maintain an image. We both have separate lives," Allegra huffs. "I"m going to give you a piece of advice. What Enzo wants, Enzo gets. If you want to save your husband, you know what to do."

"This is a very odd conversation," I add, trying to lighten the mood. What the actual fuck? Is she seriously playing wingman for her husband, hoping to guilt me into sleeping with him? Odd doesn"t begin to cover it.

"I prefer direct. I"m sure you"re a smart girl. Enzo will be the head of the Agosti family soon. There are a lot of benefits to becoming his mistress."

"I think I"ll pass," I murmur and redirect my attention to my cup of tea.

Her lips curl into a malignant smile.

"You might want to reconsider."

Realizing that Enzo"s wife might be just as crazy as the rest, I quickly extricate myself from the dining room and head towards the study, hoping to eavesdrop on their conversation. But as luck would have it, I leave the devil"s mate to come across the devil himself.

"Just who I wanted to see!" Enzo exclaims, his gaze moving up and down my body with interest. I want to snort, but I remember I have to keep up appearances. It won"t do me right to get on Enzo"s lousy side so early on.

"Mr. Agosti." I incline my head and try to move past him.

"Enzo, please." He grabs my arm, holding it firmly. I squirm a little to let him know I want him to let go, but he doesn"t. I almost sigh aloud. Fine, let"s see what he wants.

"Enzo, if you would, please release me." I bat my eyelashes at him.

"If you ask so nicely…" He lets go of my arm, but not before he backs me into one of the hallway"s rooms.

"Enzo…" I say again, with a little more frustration than before.

"I have to say I didn"t expect Martin"s daughter to look like this." One of his hands comes up to my face to caress my cheek, and I catch it mid-air.

"I must remind you I"m married."

"So what? So am I." I purse my lips. This won"t be easy.

"Yes, but unlike you, I love my husband." I try again to move past him, but he has me caged.

"I loved my wife too…" he almost whispers. "And yet that didn"t stop her, or me for that matter." Why do I feel like there"s more to their marriage than meets the eye?

"I can"t give you what you want, Enzo." I try to be more direct, hoping he will understand.

"And that"s exactly why I"ll enjoy the challenge. Must admit." His hand goes to my throat, slowly tracing from one side to the other. "I"ve never had a lady killer before. You got me curious… How will you taste?" His head dips down, and before his lips meet my skin, I manage to flip him around so that he"s the one backed into the wall. He laughs.

"I knew you were feisty."

"You"re not used to no, are you?" I ask.

"Can"t say I am." He"s still sporting an amused expression. He"s playing me. He hasn"t even tried to overpower me.

"Then, I should make it clear. I am not interested. I am not playing hard to get." I enunciate each word.

He studies me for a few seconds, probably deciding the veracity of my words, and then he smiles again.

"Don"t worry, cara, I don"t force myself on women. Should you ever tire of your husband, though…"

"Yeah, sure, I"ll give you a call," I reply sarcastically before stepping away from him and watching him leave.

I don"t understand what his game is. Enzo Agosti is an enigma. And I don"t like enigmas.