Chapter 9

Chapter 9

RUSSEL

"You got the sample, yeah?" I asked as soon as Aldo entered my office.

He gave me an affirmative nod, "I did, boss."

I let out a satisfied breath and leaned back on my seat, "What did you do with it?"

"Took it to Dr. Romola."

"Finally. Took you seven days to get it." I shook my head, "How did she react to being randomly pricked by a stranger?"

"She handled it like a champ."

Aldo's half smile made me smile too. "And the guy she's been talking to?"

"Oh, we are still unable to get his face and name since he hardly ever leaves his car. But he picked her up at the park shortly after I bumped into her."

I sat forward immediately and my grip on the chair tightened, "Where'd they go? And don't tell me you still couldn't get his face!"

Aldo chuckled softly, "They didn't get the chance to go anywhere or do anything. I followed them, they stopped in front of a fancy restaurant, but something happened that made her run out of his car in a hurry."

My breath caught in my throat, I had actually seen her dash into her room and take the cash I gave her. Then she ran back out with a speed that left me worried.

"Did the bastard hurt her?"

"No. Turns out she had to visit her brother at school. The whole money business and all.”

Now that was good news, I didn't know when I started smiling. To think I'd actually just thought of pulling that particular string today. Now I won't have to, it felt like the universe was pushing her right into my arms.

They did have a lot of family problems and a shady past at that. Plus her mother’s sickness was another string waiting to be pulled. Whatever happened, she needed money. And I had money. I only had to make her see it.

Hee problems were only small compared to how much she was tormenting my dreams. Each time I closed my eyes, she was there, tempting me, seducing me. I had never craved something for so long without getting it, certainly not a woman, and she was the first.

What was so special about a blonde with hazel eyes? I will find out, and pretty soon.

"That will be all for now. I have some business to attend to. Keep me updated on any developments with them."

Aldo nodded and left the office. I checked my watch—I had a few hours before my next business meeting. Perfect.

———

The soft music from the hidden speakers filled my private suite as Rochelle stood by the door, her eyes downcast. She knew exactly why I had summoned her, and the slight trembling of her slender body revealed her anticipation.

"Come closer," I commanded, my voice low and controlled.

She took small steps toward me, her red dress clinging to her curves. Her dark hair cascaded down her back in loose waves. She was stunning, but she wasn't Allesia. No one was.

"Your business reports were sloppy this week. You know I expect perfection."

"I'm sorry, sir." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

I circled her slowly, like a predator stalking its prey. "Sorry isn't good enough, Rachel. You know what happens when you disappoint me."

Her breath hitched. "Yes, sir."

I reached out and traced a finger along her jawline. "Safe word?"

"Wine," she replied without hesitation.

I nodded, satisfied. "Good girl. Now, take off your dress and bend over the desk."

As she obeyed, I opened the drawer where I kept my favorite tools. This would be a pleasant distraction from my frustration over the Guerrero situation. I needed to release this tension, and Rachel was more than willing to help me with that.

For the next hour, the room filled with the sounds of leather against skin, of pleasure mixed with pain, of domination and submission. Rochelle surrendered completely, taking her punishment beautifully, her cries turning to moans of pleasure as I rewarded her submission.

By the time we finished, my mind was clearer, more focused. I straightened my tie as she slowly dressed herself.

"You did well," I told her, my voice softer now. "Take the rest of the day off. Have the spa team take care of you."

She smiled gratefully. "Thank you, sir."

After she left, I poured myself a glass of scotch and returned to business.

Three hours later, I was back in my element, seated at the head of the conference table as my top lieutenants presented their quarterly reports. Despite the pleasure I had taken with Rochelle, my mind kept wandering back to Allesia Guerrero.

"The offshore accounts have been secured, and we've successfully laundered the proceeds from the last shipment," Aldo reported, sliding a folder across the table.

I nodded absently, flipping through the documents. "And the new venture in the east side?"

"Profitable beyond expectations," Aldo replied. "We've already recouped our initial investment and are looking at a thirty percent return by the end of the quarter."

Business was good. My empire was expanding. I should have been pleased, but all I could think about was her rejection. The fact that she still hasn’t called was bugging me more than I wanted to admit. It was no longer just about claiming her, it was now about my ego.

"What about the real estate investments?" I asked absentmindedly as I dragged my eyes back to the files in front of me.

As flimsy as it sounded, we had to keep our legitimate businesses running smoothly on the surface. The perfect distraction for snoopy cops.

The meeting continued for another hour, with reports on various aspects of business ventures, both legitimate and otherwise. When it finally concluded, I dismissed everyone except for Luca.

"Stay," I told him as the others filed out of the room.

Luca was my most trusted man, the one I called when things needed to get handled delicately. When everyone else had left, I leaned back in my chair and fixed him with a steady gaze.

"I need information on Renzo Guerrero. Everything you can find. And I want to know more about Allesia's mother."

Luca's expression didn't change. "She’s sick, that’s the most obvious.”

"Hm. I need to know her condition, her treatment plan, how much it's costing them. Find out who her doctors are and what they're saying about her prognosis."

"You want leverage," Luca stated. It wasn't a question.

I swirled the amber liquid in my glass. "Allesia has refused to accept my generous offer. Their mother's illness might be the key to changing her minds."

Luca nodded, understanding exactly what I wanted without needing further explanation. That's why he was invaluable to me.

"I want you to do something for me, Luca. Something that will leave them with no choice but to come to me."

"What do you have in mind, Boss?"

I smiled coldly. "Make sure their insurance claim gets denied. Find out who's handling their case and make them an offer they can't refuse. Then ensure that any other financial avenues they might pursue suddenly become unavailable."

"Consider it done."

“I need her to eat her words and then I’ll smile in her face and remind him why my name is Russel Mancini.”

“He’ll get the message.”

"And Luca," I added as he turned to leave, "be subtle. I don't want them knowing who's behind their sudden streak of bad luck. Not yet."

After Luca left, I walked to the window and looked out over the city that was practically mine.

Somewhere out there, Allesia Guerrero was struggling, worried about her mother, about money, about her future. Soon, she would realize that I was her only option.

There was no future for her without her accepting my offer.

I took a sip of my scotch, savoring the burn. "I'll be waiting, angel," I murmured into the wind. "Waiting for you to run straight into my arms. And you will. Sooner than you think."