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Chapter 13
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Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 14
I didn't want to sound desperate but otherwise, I'd burst without some answers. "Can we talk in private?" I asked, mustering the courage to yank on his vest. Cosimo nodded and showed the way to a corner table. But just as I stepped away from the second station, the security officer sitting at the fourth desk raised his hand. Cosimo went to him and they whispered something back and forth in Italian. He then signaled towards me to step closer. "Put it on the screen," he said in a serious tone. The young man eyeballed him with a baffled look on his face. "Presto, presto (faster, faster)," Cosimo said, noticing the man’s hesitation while reaching a headset towards me. He took a step back, placed the gadget on his ears, and waited with his hands in his pockets. I did the same. This wireless technology canceled the external sounds quite well. Instead of the typing and clicking, my fast heartbeats and quick breaths stuffed my ears full. Great. I probably have a booger, I th
Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 15
Cosimo would hear our conversation if I called her. So I typed a brief email instead, hoping he wouldn’t catch what I was up to. Hi. How are you doing? I was wondering if you could do me a favor. I need background information on a certain Irina Vlad. She’s in close relations with the Medici family, she does modeling in Florence, and she’s a Romanian national. That's all I know. Dig up the skeletons in her closet, will you? Looking forward to your reply. Regards, Tamira. I put my phone away, somewhat relieved. We work with an old-school private detective. He might be outdated, but he’s just as resourceful as McGyver when it comes to sniffing out dirt on a client. The best thing is, he works for us incognito. And considering the fact that the Medici pretty much-controlled everything, not just in Citta del Salvatore and Pontefici but also globally, we had to do it without their knowledge. Then I remembered it would be beneficial if I knew a bit more about Luca too. I pulled my device
Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 1
The elevator doors swooshed open and I stormed out. My furious steps startled Miss Caige, the middle-aged secretary guarding the entrance to the office. "You're late, Miss Banks," she said without delay, her fingers dancing on the keyboard. "Only by two minutes." She looked at me with a wolf-like stare. "Twelve," she said, pointing to the round clock hanging behind her head. "The manager has asked for you." "Thank you," I muttered as I searched for my ID pass. My hands shook as they roamed through the contents of my handbag. I hope he won't hit on me again. I shivered from disgust as I remembered what had happened the last time he asked me into his office. Disgusting asshole! A sharp click made me jump. Miss Caige opened the doors and looked at me with a fake smile. I thanked her with a quick nod and entered. God, she must think I'm incompetent, I thought as I threw my bag onto my desk. Sofia popped her head over my cubicle and greeted me with a genuine smile. We star
Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 2
I stormed out of Russo's office completely brain-fried. He laid out all the rules and regulations I already knew about, but he had to look the part of a leader in front of his client. So suffocating. I needed to catch the 2:30 pm tram/trolley bus to Piazza Mercato. My groceries were running low and I was out of meat and dairy. I loved strolling along past the stalls, enjoying the fabulous blend of rich smells and vivid colors. A true convention under the blue sky: all sorts of people coming and going, merchants shouting out loud about their daily offers, and customers bargaining for a lower price--a delight for my big-city self. One thing I hated was the fully packed tram ride. Traffic was horrible between the hours of one and three o'clock in the afternoon. Jams upon jams in this Tuscan hell turned that vehicle into the fastest public transport available in Citta del Salvatore (City of the Saviour). And I wouldn't want to be caught in a matchbox taxi. Even though the tram was
Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 3
Citta del Salvatore wasn't a big city. It was more of a fishing town situated between Florence and Pisa. And all the traffic between the two went through here. Nonno (Grandpa) used to own a fishing shack in his youth, somewhere along the Flux. And Nonna used to tell the tale of how he fished her out of the river one early summer and they fell madly in love. But she stopped talking about him after she found out about his affair with the baker's wife. Are all men unfaithful? I wondered as I locked gazes with Cosimo. He sat in front of me flashing his signature arrogant smirk. With no shame whatsoever, he eyeballed me the whole way to Porto Luce, while keeping his left arm extended on ‘Miss Top Model in Florence's’ shoulders. She was so invested in playing SweetSmash; she didn't even flinch when Cosimo adjusted his pants and re-positioned his penis. I quickly glanced away, but I could not unsee his swollen groin area. Besides this, that stupid sound the icons made every time they
Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 4
"Welcome aboard the Belezza (Beauty)," Cosimo said, reaching out a hand to help me in. He was an arrogant ass, but there was something in the tone of his voice that caught my attention. And hearing him speak English with a soft Italian accent just made me giggle like a naughty schoolgirl. I settled on the open deck with a canopy that provided shade to the whole rear of the boat. Irina went inside to indulge in a cold drink, while the two men discussed something boat-related in Italian. I chose to stay outside and let the wind play with my hair while admiring the God-given nature and the man-made riverbank. And as I sat there, my thoughts kept turning back to Cosimo. His smile, his speech, and even that perverted smirk drew me in. If only he weren't such a dick, I thought, standing up and leaning over the rail. I popped my sunglasses on and enjoyed the ripple of the water. I can't explain why, but I always fancied foreign guys over British lads. Maybe they just seemed to lack
Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 5
I expected to see my life flashing in front of my eyes. My childhood in York and the summers spent with Nonna, or majoring in history and ending up selling insurance for the wealthy. That wasn't so bad, though. I took a couple of courses and put on my high heels at the right time to climb higher, landing an investigator position a year after. This mind of mine was full of mystery, for now, I found myself in the air on a ladder, thinking to myself, "I'm ready for this interview. Can't wait for my promotion." A lift waited with open doors at the top of the ladder. It was about to close, so I hurried up. "Wait for me, please," I shouted to the person inside it. He placed his foot between the closing gap and stepped aside when I rushed inside. In the reflection, I caught a glimpse of my glossy heels and fine silk stockings. Their darker shade accentuated my ankles and calves, making my legs look leaner. I turned around to thank the gentleman for his kindness only to gasp in sho
Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 6
The scribbles in the ledger dated back to 1020, the middle ages. This year, all the Maggio descendants were set to gather and celebrate their millennial power. But the key piece for their reunion was missing. My investigation didn't even start and I already faced life-threatening challenges. And I was convinced, me falling into the water was Irina's answer to my meddling with her man. Where was she anyway? I looked around, concerned. Cosimo turned towards Nonna and pulled his lips into a gentle smile. "Signora, I'd like to talk to her in private," he said. Nonna complied with a nod, and accompanied by Padre Matteo, left the room. "The carabinieri (police officers) are standing outside the ward, waiting to get your statement," Cosimo said with a straight face. "I'm sorry for causing trouble. But it wasn't my fault. Irina pushed me in on purpose." "I know... But you'll say you slipped and lost balance..." I jumped up hearing his words, the room spinning from the sudden
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Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 15
Cosimo would hear our conversation if I called her. So I typed a brief email instead, hoping he wouldn’t catch what I was up to. Hi. How are you doing? I was wondering if you could do me a favor. I need background information on a certain Irina Vlad. She’s in close relations with the Medici family, she does modeling in Florence, and she’s a Romanian national. That's all I know. Dig up the skeletons in her closet, will you? Looking forward to your reply. Regards, Tamira. I put my phone away, somewhat relieved. We work with an old-school private detective. He might be outdated, but he’s just as resourceful as McGyver when it comes to sniffing out dirt on a client. The best thing is, he works for us incognito. And considering the fact that the Medici pretty much-controlled everything, not just in Citta del Salvatore and Pontefici but also globally, we had to do it without their knowledge. Then I remembered it would be beneficial if I knew a bit more about Luca too. I pulled my device
Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 14
I didn't want to sound desperate but otherwise, I'd burst without some answers. "Can we talk in private?" I asked, mustering the courage to yank on his vest. Cosimo nodded and showed the way to a corner table. But just as I stepped away from the second station, the security officer sitting at the fourth desk raised his hand. Cosimo went to him and they whispered something back and forth in Italian. He then signaled towards me to step closer. "Put it on the screen," he said in a serious tone. The young man eyeballed him with a baffled look on his face. "Presto, presto (faster, faster)," Cosimo said, noticing the man’s hesitation while reaching a headset towards me. He took a step back, placed the gadget on his ears, and waited with his hands in his pockets. I did the same. This wireless technology canceled the external sounds quite well. Instead of the typing and clicking, my fast heartbeats and quick breaths stuffed my ears full. Great. I probably have a booger, I th
Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 13
I looked at my watch: five minutes to eleven o'clock. One hour had passed since we entered the guest parlor—one painfully long hour. Sitting down didn't suit my nerves, so I walked around studying the decor. No dust, just a bitter scent of old reigned all throughout the opening. And even though the walls showcased amazing portraits and incredible landscapes, the atmosphere inside stayed undeniably rigid. Four large windows let the warm sunlight in, the abundant brilliance reaching into all four corners of the room. Beautiful, except I didn't find it romantic anymore. I pondered in silence, lost in my thoughts. I noticed the police captain approaching only when the floor screeched beneath his footsteps. "You resemble the Bella Dona di Pontefici," he said with a straight face. "Did you know that?" "It was painted over four-hundred years ago. So... I highly doubt that." "You can't take a compliment, do you?" "It's an unrealistic one at best. Because of the style of the arti
Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 12
I knew I had no reason to be jealous. We had sex. It was fun. That's it. We haven't discussed anything concrete, so I was clearly overreacting. But I could barely control these consuming flames, and I found myself raging inside me. I cleared my throat with a loud cough and stepped in. "Miss Vlad, a pleasure to see you again," I said, interrupting them boldly. Cosimo wiped his lips down as the woman turned in my direction. With a smirk on his face and a hand in his pocket, he walked up the marble steps and entered the greeting hall. Arrogant much? I thought, my gaze following him in. Irina's eyes narrowed, and her expression changed. "I can smell your cheap stench on him," she said with clenched teeth. Holy shit. I shouted inside me. Poker face, Tami, you got this. "Don't know what you're talking about," I replied quickly. Some of my words slurred on their way out, but all I cared about was avoiding a fiasco, so I hurried after Cosimo. But she grabbed my elbow. "No.
Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 11
I have never been so close to a helicopter in my life, and neither have I ridden in one before. My legs turned into jello as I climbed in, and I left sweaty handprints all over the cold leather seat. I was worried I'd throw up or faint. Making a fool out of myself wasn't a nuisance in Cosimo's eyes, but I wanted to keep my cool and not ruin this adventurous day. The driver, who was a boat captain, turned out to be also the copilot. I wouldn't be surprised if the man turned out to be also the chef and his masseur as well. He had chiseled features and always wore sunglasses, so he might very well be Cosimo's bodyguard. He fit the profile with his tall, buff figure. I stared at the two, holding my breath as they carried out all the safety checks, looking like professional pilots with years of experience. Cosimo rotated his seat a bit towards me and smiled. "Non aver paura, signorina (don't be afraid, miss). It will be just a short ride," he said, his tone ringing full of enthus
Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 10
I locked gazes with him. His hooded eyes shimmered with desire and his lips begged to be kissed. And that thin smile behind the stubble on his face made him look even more appetizing. "Sex is taboo in the eyes of many. Why is it such a feared topic when it feels so heavenly?" he asked, breathing onto my shoulder. My heart skipped a beat when he brought his lips real close, but he didn't touch my skin. You teasing bastard. I know what you're up to, I thought. "What are you talking about? Are you trying to seduce me?" I asked. "First of all, you let me peek between your legs so boldly... Then these nude pics... Too bad they're a bit blurry. So, I don't know who's seducing who." "Neither of those were done intentionally," I said, pulling back into the corner of my seat. "That makes it more fun. You're alluring without even trying. I'm curious, what kind of lover are you?" "And I'm curious, why are you hitting on me when you have a girlfriend?" "Irina is... not my girlfri
Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 9
Because of shock, tingling nerves, and excitement even, I couldn't fall asleep. Instead, I scrolled my phone for articles on the SBS, the South Bank Syndicate, hoping to find something about their feud with the Maggio. There wasn't anything available in great detail, just a mere Wikipedia page and a couple of old sketches of the river. The earliest accounts mention them as a band of river pirates operating on the Flux after the Great Italian Plague. They robbed merchant boats and shared the spoils with the people—according to a four-hundred-year-old poem. The governing power didn't like this. The Maggio Bank, with the support of the Catholic Church (represented by a Maggio cardinal), lured the pirates into a trap, killed everyone, then sank their vessel, The Serenity, with all the treasure on it. I guess they didn't cut off the head of the snake if they're now seeking retaliation... I sighed, rubbing my eyes. I wonder if the ledger contains more information about this or perhaps
Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 8
We had all the windows open for the breeze to come in, but there was nothing tonight, just the stripping heat stuck to the altitude. A couple of angry dogs chased a cat up the alley, and after a while, silence settled in our neighborhood as well. I closed the drapes and started getting undressed. I pushed my skirt down and suddenly, a strange feeling burst through my core. My chest tightened and my breathing turned shallow as this dreading feeling twisted in my gut. He knew where my room was... What if he's watching me? I turned around slowly and scoped every inch of my room thoroughly. The walls and the furniture were off-white and classy, with a sixties vibe. Exactly when Nonna had moved into the apartment. She kept everything retro and squeaky clean. So spotting anything dark was easy. Nothing out of the ordinary. Hmm, maybe I'm just being paranoid. "Twenty to eleven," I sighed, taking off my wristwatch, then everything else. I must get up early to pack a few things, I
Affair with the Billionaire Chapter 7
Padre Matteo drove us home. Slowly but surely, I thought while he kept giving out blessings whenever a regular churchgoer passed by. Or he did the holy cross every time someone drove past us at more than twenty miles per hour. Our street was so narrow, there was no way two cars could fit next to one another. There was a sometimes malfunctioning stop sign at each end of the street to avoid some very loud altercations between drivers eager to get home. And tonight was like many other evenings, with cars stuffing up the street, men acting pretty much like animals, shouting and honking aimlessly. We knew not to go down the rabbit hole. Instead, we asked the good priest to drop us off around the corner. It was faster to walk back on foot. "I hope to see you at Mass on Sunday," Padre Matteo said, hinting at my sporadic church visits. Nonna got out of the car first. I staggered after her, my head spinning from all the high-pitched Hallelujah songs on the radio. "She'll be there,
