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An unexpected appearance on his.
Most certainly a reminder as to why I hate the Armani household so much.
Particularly now, Luca.
2
ARA
“Ibarely made it out with my fucking life.” I slam down a few print outs I’d promised Dmitri Volkov.
We’re the only two in his office as one of his bodyguards stands outside. It’s early in the morning, but I haven’t slept yet. I didn’t even dare go home after my encounter with Luca Armani—I haven’t even removed my disguise.
He sits across from me, his gaze landing on the prints, unfazed by my outburst. When Dmitri first discovered my attempt to hack into his systems, I’d grabbed his attention. Instead of consequence he offered me opportunity and whispered the only words that would motivate me. My entitlement to revenge. Which of course came at a price for his gain. Although I know what he wants, I don’t know why.
Just like my last two hits of ruining businessmen, I’d come no closer to closure on my revenge. I still only had names. I have to be cautious with the Armani family, but it doesn’t ease the stress with the countdown I’m on. With them being part of New York’s underbelly, the most powerful of the mafia families, I knew I was risking my life. I’d grown confident in my skills and being caught for the first time left a sour taste in my mouth.
Finally, Dmitri looks up at me with dazzling blue eyes and a charismatic smile—forever the playboy, even when conducting business. His brunette hair is slightly disheveled, which forces me to believe I’m not the only one who hasn’t slept.
Of course, I did my research before agreeing to do business with him. He was originally born on Russian soil, but he’s now nothing other than an American playboy with the faintest remains of his accent. He and his mother were shamed and kicked out of his father’s empire before he turned five. He fled to New York with his mother, and they fell back on her father’s businesses and reputation. From the intel I’d gathered, his father was high up in the Russian Bratva, and I have hoped dealing with the Armani family is nothing personal for him. Especially when my life is on the line. But I want my own revenge, and it is an opportunity I wasn’t willing to let slip away.
“Blonde quite suits you, Arabella,” he says in retaliation to my outburst. God help me, I’m about to jump across this table and lunge for this man’s throat. “I was under the impression, just as you were, Luca would not be in the country,” he continues. “I’m assuming, from this engagement, you didn’t find what you were after.”
“No, I didn’t,” I say, pulling away the photos; it’s the only form of leverage I have right now. “Now I need to find another way to approach the situation.”
“You knew there’d be risks going into this, just like the two times before.”
I bite the inside of my lip. Fucker knows me too well for someone who shouldn’t know me at all.
“Besides, you were in disguise. We will find another approach. But surely you got something from the camera in your necklace last night. You wanted your chance to play at spy, and hopefully it brings results.”
“You’re not going to get much from the footage considering I didn’t have enough time to snoop. Unless you want a video of Luca’s ball sack as he tries to force me to give him head, of course. Then you’ll be able to count every mole on his left nut.”
I’m exasperated the moment the sass leaves my lips. Luca really got under my skin and although it gets me nowhere taking it out on Dmitri, it sure as hell makes me feel better.
He chuckles. “Who would’ve thought Mr. Barone’s daughter was so”—he waves his hand around—“volatile, but also so dedicated to the cause.”
Dedicated is an understatement. By day, I do everything to hide it. To be the perfect daughter—to mask everything for my business and family as I run my father’s company. Although, for as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with discovering my mother’s killer and handing them the justice they deserve. I’ll uncover it because no one else has pursued it.
He adds, “If you feel as if you’re being tracked or you have reason to believe you are in any danger, contact me and my men. I can offer you a bodyguard. Do not take Luca Armani lightly. He’s not like the other men you’ve dealt with before.”
His warning goes without saying, but I refuse to let one man rattle me, not a second time anyway. That was then, and this is now. I’m not going to let constant fear tear me apart. “I don’t need your protection, Dmitri. Besides, it’s better if our association isn’t known. If I start having random bodyguards around me it’ll raise a lot of suspicion.”
“True. What I’m saying is, if you need my help, it’s here.”
“At a cost though, right?”
His charismatic smile stretches; it’s a smile that often has women falling to their knees for him.
A low knock rattles on the door, and I hear cursing on the other side. “I don’t give a fuck if he’s in a meeting! I want to talk to him now!”
The doors burst open and a beautiful woman with shoulder-length blonde hair walks in—and she looks pissed. She hesitates a moment when she sees me. He sighs and I know it’s my cue to leave. I have no idea who she is but don’t care to be involved in his personal drama.
Besides, I’ll eventually have to go home and prepare for tonight’s charity event.
There’s no time for sleep.
3
