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  A black leather shoe peeks through the curtains, and I stiffen immediately. “Hold it right there. I have a gun,” I yell, but my voice quivers. I’m holding the gun out in front of me, ready to shoot whoever this dumbass is if he moves another inch.

  The person freezes. “Don’t shoot,” he says quickly, and the sound of his voice sends goose bumps scattering across my skin.

  I lift my finger off the trigger and let out a heavy sigh. I could’ve killed him. Not figuratively, but actually killed Leo Conti because he had to crawl through my window like a stalker and a freaking idiot. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  “Can I move now?” Leo asks, still frozen with only a foot inside my place and the rest of his body hidden behind the curtains.

  “Yes. I won’t shoot you… Well, not yet, at least.”

  The curtains part, and Leo’s head comes through the window, followed by his other half. He’s dressed in a pristine suit, looking every bit as fuckable as he did on Saturday night.

  “Why are you here?” I ask, still pointing the gun at him. Both turned on by his presence and wanting to shoot him too for scaring the shit out of me.

  His eyes slowly rake over my body, drinking in every inch of my bare flesh. “That answers that.”

  “Answers what?”

  He rubs the pad of his thumb down the corner of his mouth, looking all hot and shit. “If you sleep naked all the time.” He smirks.

  I glance down, my heart still pounding, and I’m so filled with adrenaline, I totally forgot I was buck-ass naked.

  I place my free hand on my hip and look him up and down, much the same way he’s looking at me. “Are you trying to make me shoot you?” I cock an eyebrow.

  He takes a step toward me. “God, you’re sexy as fuck.”

  I back up. “Don’t change the subject.” I want him way too much, and I need to do everything in my power to avoid his touch. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to talk.” He doesn’t stop moving toward me.

  The backs of my knees hit the mattress, and I have nowhere else to go. “How about knocking like a normal person?”

  He covers the gun with his hand, pulling the cool metal from my grip. “It’s too dangerous.”

  “Crawling through my window isn’t exactly safe.” I motion to my gun which is now safely in his hand and ignore the fact that our bodies are almost touching. “I could’ve killed you.”

  Honest to God, I was two seconds from pulling the trigger. The mess his death could’ve created would’ve been astronomical. How would I have explained why Leo Conti was crawling through my window?

  “That’d be pretty hard since the safety’s on.”

  I grunt and purse my lips. “I still could’ve shot you. It’s not that difficult to take the safety off.”

  His eyes twinkle. “I’ll take my chances with you over them.” He pitches his head toward the window.

  “Them?”

  Leo leans forward, and I hold my breath, thinking he’s going to kiss me. Even though I know it’s a horrible idea, my belly flips and my body tingles, wanting his lips on mine way too much.

  Instead, he places the gun on the bed behind me. “There are too many eyes on both of us.” As he rights himself, the back of his hand brushes against my thigh, whisper-soft.

  I shudder and am suddenly breathless, both from the tidbit of information he just dropped in my lap and his touch. “There’s no one watching me,” I argue.

  He tilts his head and says nothing more, but the look he gives me says everything I need to know.

  “Seriously?” My mouth falls open. “I’ve never seen anyone.”

  “There’s always people watching us, Daphne. Our fathers are too important for us to go unguarded or unnoticed.”

  I always knew my father had protection, but I never really thought about someone watching over me or my brothers.

  “Then I better put some clothes on.” I start to move, but Leo reaches out and grabs my hand.

  “Let’s not panic,” he tells me as his fingertips scorch my flesh.

  He’s the enemy.

  I repeat that statement over and over again as Leo stares at me with those dreamy, sinful eyes.

  I glance down, staring at the spot where our skin touches, and I know I need to take drastic measures. “Move it or lose it.”

  “What are you going to do, little girl?” he taunts as he swipes his thumb across the underside of my wrist.

  I don’t know what kind of women he’s used to being around, but the one thing I’m not is weak. Growing up with three brothers and a father who didn’t live on the up-and-up made it almost impossible for me to be a damsel in distress or anyone’s victim. I could punch like a guy and take down a man twice my size without breaking a sweat. It didn’t matter that I was naked; I could still put his ass on the floor.

  “I’d hate to wrinkle your fancy suit,” I tell him, giving him a once-over before staring him straight in the eyes. The corner of Leo’s mouth twitches before he finally releases me. “I’ll ask again, why are you here, Leo?”

  “I wanted to see you again.”

  “Well, you saw me. All of me…again.” I point toward the door. “So, you can go now.”

  Leo’s eyes narrow as he closes any remaining space between us. I hold my breath as he reaches out and brushes a few strands of hair behind my back with his fingers. Even though my breasts are inches from his face, his eyes are locked on mine and nowhere else.

  “We’re not done,” he tells me again.

  I can’t help but stare back at him.

  “There’s no we, Leo. There never will be. There never can be. Whatever happened, happened. We’ll leave it at that. Two drunk people fucked. End of story. No big deal.”

  Leo’s eyes darken, and he grips my wrist again, tethering himself to me. I know I should pull away, but there’s something about the way he’s looking at me that makes moving impossible. “First of all, I wasn’t drunk.”

  “So, you took advantage of me? A drunk chick. Nice.” I know it’s a complete lie. He didn’t take advantage of me. I can guarantee I was more than willing. But I’m sticking to that as the reason why I slept with the son of my father’s mortal enemy.

  “Bella.” He sweeps his hand under my hair and rests his palm against my neck. “Nothing happened.”

  I’m not even listening to him. I’m too upset, mostly at myself, to even hear what he’s saying. “Hell, only a sleazebag would fuck a drunk girl.”

  His tongue pokes out, dragging slowly across his bottom lip. I watch the smooth movement with my lips parted, making it impossible for me to deny the attraction much longer.

  His fingers dig into the back of my neck, just below my hair, sending shock waves down my spine. “Daphne, I’m going to repeat this, and you’re going to be quiet and listen.”

  I blink, taken aback by his bossiness and a little turned on.

  “We went back to my place to talk. We made out a little bit, but you were so tired, you undressed in my living room and walked—well, mostly staggered—to my bed and collapsed. Nothing happened. I didn’t take advantage of you.”

  “Oh.” I stare into his eyes and then realize he’s been lying to me. “Wait. What?”

  “I’m not a sleazebag.”

  “Okay.” I nod. I don’t know what else to do or say. I feel like an asshole, but come on, anyone in my shoes would’ve thought the same damn thing.

  “I feel like shit that you left thinking we had sex. I needed to talk to you, and I want to take you on a real date.”

  With the way he’s holding me and how he’s looking at me, thinking isn’t easy. “You what?”

  Leo’s hot.

  Like GQ hot with a dash of Godfather. Dark hair, dark eyes, lush mouth, and built for riding. He’s totally my dream man, minus the fact that we could never be together and his cocky attitude leaves something to be desired…most of the time.

  “I want one date, and then I’ll leave you alone.”
r />   “That’s all?”

  Going on a date with Leo Conti wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. I’d done crazier shit for men who were not at the same freakishly hot level as Leo. I take that back. They were all hot, but some weren’t too bright. Those were the ones I had put up with long enough to go one round, or sometimes two, in the sack before pushing them away, which was pretty easy and comical.

  “If you never want to see me again after that, I promise to go away forever.”

  “One date,” I whisper as my belly flutters. “But how? If we’re being watched, that would be damn near impossible.”

  “You let me worry about that, sweetheart.”

  I have a few triggers, and men calling me by pet names when they don’t even know me is one. Most women would think it’s charming, but not me.

  “Let’s get one thing straight. I’m not your sweetheart, your baby, your doll, or your anything. Got it?”

  Leo smirks. “I got it, bella.”

  I’m about to reply and tell him off, but before I can, Leo leans forward. My breath hitches as his lips come near mine. I’m staring into his eyes, unable to breathe, waiting for the moment his soft lips touch mine. Wanting it more than anything.

  “I’ll text you the details,” he says and releases me.

  My mouth hangs open, and I can’t even form words. My skin is still tingling, waiting for him to kiss me, but he’s already heading toward the door.

  I’m never the girl at a loss for words.

  Never.

  But I’m standing in my bedroom, unable to move like a moron. I hate the way Leo Conti plays with my emotions and how my body betrays me every time he’s around.

  Tomorrow night, I will not be a pawn.

  “Why do you keep looking at your phone?” Angelo asks.

  I look up, not even realizing how often I’ve come back to the counter just to see if Leo texted me about our date.

  “No reason,” I say and smile, hoping he’ll drop the subject.

  “You never look at your phone at work,” he tells me, pointing out the obvious and never letting anyone’s bullshit slide. “And that smile—” he points at me and drops his chin “—is bullshit.”

  “Fine. If you must know, I’m waiting for a call.”

  “Must be pretty important.”

  “It’s not, Betty,” I tease him.

  He’s being nosy as fuck, just like our mom. Angelo’s usually the one to mind his own business, but tonight he’s a little too interested for my liking.

  He pushes five beers in front of me. “Take these to table five.” When I don’t move right away, he says, “Please.”

  “Only because you asked nicely.” I quickly glance down at the blank phone screen before grabbing the beers and hustling toward table five.

  “Sweetheart, settle a bet,” one of the men says as I set the beers down at their table. I let the little nickname slide because one, he’s a paying customer, and two, I’ve been called worse.

  I tilt my head and place my hands on my hips. They’re so intoxicated, I’m sure their pressing question is going to be a doozy. “Shoot,” I tell him with a quick nod.

  “Can we be crass?” the guy closest to me asks, and I’m honestly impressed he uses such a big word.

  “Sure.”

  “Okay, so… You’ve been dating a guy for a month, and it’s finally the big day you two are going to do it.” The guys around the table are all giggling like schoolgirls except one, the guy I assume they’re all making fun of with this little question. “You’re about to get busy, he drops his drawers, and his penis is so small it’s almost an innie… What do you do?”

  I honestly feel bad for the guy. I don’t know what’s worse—having the world’s tiniest penis, or his friends knowing about it.

  “He better be damn good with his tongue,” I say.

  The looks on their faces are priceless.

  “So, you wouldn’t end the relationship?” another guy asks.

  I shake my head. “Let’s face it, boys. Someday, all your dicks won’t work and will be useless anyway, but a tongue is forever.” I smirk as their mouths hang open.

  I turn my back and head toward the bar, but I stop dead when I see Angelo staring at my glowing phone.

  Oh no. Shit.

  I walk faster, and any sense of victory from moments ago is gone. I quickly snatch my phone off the bar as soon as I can.

  “So, who’s The Best You’ll Ever Have?”

  I stare at my phone, seeing the funny little name he must’ve put in my contacts when I was sleeping or you know…passed out.

  “We’re just friends.” I slide my finger across the screen, opening the entire message, thankful Angelo could only see the nickname.

  I’m typing out a reply when Michelle walks up to us and looks over my shoulder. “Who are you texting?” she asks, being just as nosy as my brother.

  “The best she’ll ever have,” Angelo tells her.

  I glare at him. “Don’t start,” I warn.

  “Daphne, you can’t be serious,” Michelle says because she knows exactly who we’re talking about.

  “You know him?” Angelo raises an eyebrow, getting all intense.

  I turn to her and narrow my eyes. “Shut your mouth, Michelle,” I whisper.

  “No.” Michelle smiles at Angelo and shakes her head. “I don’t know him, know him.”

  I’m ready to reach out and wrap my fingers around her neck, strangling the life out of her and the ability to rat me out. She’s my best friend and is always supposed to have my back, even when I’m fucking everything up.

  “He’s just some guy we met,” Michelle says, covering for me and therefore saving her own life.

  Angelo isn’t buying what she’s selling, but he doesn’t have time to argue because a customer on the other end of the bar is waving him down. One of his female regulars who only wants him.

  Michelle snatches the phone from my hand. “You can’t be serious with this shit. You know how dangerous he is?”

  I grab the phone back before stuffing it into my back pocket to avoid anything else being seen. “He said one date and he’d leave me alone,” I tell her.

  “A man like Leo doesn’t do just one date, Daphne.”

  “How would you know?”

  “I heard about him.” She raises an eyebrow as her lips flatten.

  “Heard what?”

  “I’m just warning you now he’s not someone you could be involved with.” She pauses and rubs the back of her neck, glancing around to make sure no one’s listening. “There’s your father. Plus, I heard Leo doesn’t like to give up control and can be a complete dick.”

  “It’s only one date. What could go wrong?”

  Michelle rolls her eyes and glances up toward the ceiling. “Everything.”

  6

  Daphne

  Leo’s text was cryptic. He simply said to be ready at six and wear a dress with heels. He didn’t drop a clue as to where he’s taking me even though I asked many times. He only sent back a quick reply that stated, “You’ll see,” and left it at that.

  When I make my way downstairs and open the door to my building, I expect to see Leo, but he’s not here. Instead, there’s a man dressed in a black suit with dark sunglasses, and a fancy car parked at the curb.

  “Good evening, ma’am,” he says, dipping his head slightly.

  I peer to the left and then to the right, waiting for Leo to pop out of somewhere and yell surprise.

  “Mr. Conti is waiting for you at your destination.”

  “Where are we going?” I ask with a shaky voice as I pull the door closed behind me and wonder if I’m walking to my death.

  I’m headed off to God knows where. Maybe it’s a trap. Anything’s possible with my father now out of prison. Leo could very well be kidnapping me to hand me over to his father in some crazy-ass Chicago mafia coup d’état.

  “I’m under strict orders not to reveal a single detail.” The driver walks ahead of me, an
d I follow like a lamb stupidly heading to slaughter.

  “Wait.” I stop and grab my phone out of my purse. I shoot Leo a text, asking what the fuck he’s thinking sending a strange man to my door when I’m already apprehensive about going out on this date to begin with.

  The man folds his hands in front of his chest, watching me, not the least bit amused.

  Leo: Just get in the car, Daphne.

  Easy for him to say.

  He’s the one in the know, while I’m clueless and supposed to trust a man I barely know.

  Sure, he’s hot as hell, but beyond that, I only know our fathers hate each other.

  I punch in a quick reply, trying to take deep breaths before I hyperventilate.

  Me: You could be kidnapping me.

  There’s a brief pause before he starts typing something back.

  Leo: I could’ve done that when you were passed out. Just get in the car. It’s a surprise.

  Me: I hate surprises. They don’t mesh well in my world.

  The driver’s phone rings, and he turns his back to me before answering the call. “Yes, sir,” he says quietly. “I understand.”

  I tap my foot, waiting for someone to give me a straight answer or I’m turning around and calling off the big date. “Well?” I say as soon as he faces me again.

  “Mr. Conti has instructed me to tell you we’re going to the airport. But beyond that, he’d like to keep it a surprise.”

  “The airport?” I nearly choke.

  “Ma’am, Mr. Conti has chartered a private plane for the evening. Now, if you’ll please.” He motions toward the car. “I don’t like to keep him waiting.”

  “I’m sure you don’t.” I walk past the super stiff driver and head toward the car.

  He rushes in front of me, grabbing the handle before I can and opening the back door. “Ma’am.” He pauses and straightens, somehow looking even stiffer than before.

  I slide into the back seat and look around the sleek, black-leather interior, kind of impressed with the lengths Leo’s going to for our date.

  The driver gets in and doesn’t say a word as he pulls away from the curb. I stare out the tinted windows, wondering if I’ll ever make it back home again and know I have to tell someone where I’m going just in case.