As they walked, escorted by Roman and Ziek, she asked to use the ladies’ room when they entered the restaurant. Ziek walked her to the ladies’ room and remained outside. She took care of business, reapplied her lip gloss, and looked at herself in the mirror.
“Keep it all business. Don’t fall for their power, the desire and attraction you feel. Know the dangers, the pain of loss, of death. Remember what happened to Vender. There is no one who will put you first, ever. No one. Everyone is after something. These men are the same.”
When she exited the bathroom, Ziek was farther away by the entryway to the dining area, when a group of businessmen entered the hallway going from the bar to the dining area adjacent to the one Ziek stood by. They all looked at her. One whistled low, and another licked his lips.
She kept walking, catching Fedarro’s eyes. He definitely noticed the men and was in a dead stare at her walking across the dining area. The moment she was close enough, he placed a hand on her lower back and guided her into the private area and a table. Collin was texting and put the phone away as she took a seat Fedarro pulled out for her. Ziek and Roman came to stand by the entryway to the private little enclave and room.
“This really isn’t necessary, but thank you for inviting me. It was a lot to take in,” she said as she looked over the menu. She supposed they knew everything that was on it or could order whatever they damn well pleased, being who they were. Sure enough, Collin ordered a couple of bottles of wine that she knew were expensive and very good.
“You can have whatever you’re in the mood for. The beef Wellington is quite delicious here,” Collin suggested.
She had felt nervous all afternoon and knew she wouldn’t be able to eat a full meal. “I think I’ll have something light, like the grilled shrimp over escarole. Thank you,” she said and then looked around the small, private room.
The waiter came and took their orders. They ordered appetizers and large filet mignon with sides. The waiter poured the wine, and then they each raised their glasses and toasted.
“To new beginnings,” Collin said.
“To business,” she stated, making sure he knew she wasn’t going to fall for his charms.
“Maybe,” Fedarro added.
Then they took sips of wine. She wasn’t sure why Fedarro was being resistant and had an attitude. “Do you eat here a lot?” she asked, when they remained quiet and just seemed to watch her.
“Not too often. We have a lot of our meals in the penthouse or around town, but this is one of our favorites,” Collin told her.
“I know what you mean. It’s hard to get in a home-cooked meal when there’s scheduling with business meetings and appointments.”
“You cook?” Collin asked.
“Every chance I get, though lately I’ve been super-busy. It’s definitely time to hit my mom’s house soon.”
“What do you mean?” Fedarro asked.
“A home-cooked meal. I can let her know when I’m stopping in, and she’ll make sure it’s ready or packed up for me to bring home.”
“You eat alone often?” Fedarro asked.
She exhaled, thinking that more often than not she preferred to eat alone and have some quiet time. “I rather enjoy those times, just in the apartment, looking at the city through the window and relaxing. I turn off the cell phone, put on some soft relaxing music, and just breathe, I guess.” She smiled then took a sip of wine.
Collin slid his arm around the back of her chair. “Sounds enjoyable. When was the last time you just relaxed and let things happen?”
She looked at him. “Don’t, Collin,” she said without thinking.
“Don’t what?” he asked, placing his wine glass down.
“Try to make a move on me just because I’m a woman and it’s what you do. I don’t need it, okay. I prefer being alone, not dating, not messing around, and trying to establish my business and make a living.”
“And where does happiness fit in there?” he asked.
“I’m happy,” she said to him and looked at Fedarro.
“You seem more scared, intimidated by us, by the Picatta men, and anyone in power,” Fedarro stated.
She swallowed hard. “I’m not ignorant to the ways of men in your positions. You should realize that by now.”
He leaned closer and held her gaze. “You should realize that we don’t mess around, that we expect respect and the truth with anyone we do business with or anything more. You shouldn’t be involved with men like Picatta or Saint James. It isn’t smart or safe,” Fedarro told her.
She looked toward the door and his guards standing there. “Feel safe? Am I supposed to feel safe with you and your brother and the guards who flank us wherever we were today? Is that your idea of safety?”
“It works to ensure we are protected just as you were today. It’s part of the world we live in.”
“Part of why I will not be another notch in your belts, a woman you seduce to get what you want because you felt like it at the time. That isn’t me. I don’t need a man, wealthy or otherwise, making promises he won’t keep, using power, money, influence to impress me only to not really be there.” She stopped talking and then exhaled. She took her napkin off her lap. She didn’t know why she was saying these things. “I think I should go.
She stood, and Collin did as well and stopped her. “Don’t go,” he said to her, holding her wrist and pulling her close to him.
He kept her wrist and arm behind her back in a gentle yet controlling manner that should have frightened her. So why did her pussy clench, her breasts throb to be touched, and did her lips part as he gazed down at them?
“Fuck it,” he said and pressed his lips to hers.
Gisella couldn’t believe how this transpired. Nor could she resist kissing the man back despite the fact he was in complete control, especially when he maneuvered both hands behind her back with one hand, eased the other under her hair and neck, and kissed her with oomph. When Collin finally released her lips and trailed his mouth along her neck and throat, she calmed her breathing. He released her wrists, and he stroked her jaw, stared down into her eyes, and was more serious than she had seen him all day. No smirk, no wise-ass remark, he clenched his teeth.
“You don’t even realize how gorgeous you are, how sexy and appealing. The way men look at you, watch you, desire you, and how fucking aggravating it is to watch when we want you, too.”
“No, Collin, we can’t do this.” She lowered her head, and he gave her hip a shake.
“Why the fuck not? The attraction is there.”
“That isn’t the problem.”
“Then what is?” Collin asked, pushing her.
“The danger that surrounds us. That’s what she fears,” Fedarro stated.
She looked at him, and he held her gaze.
“Sit down and enjoy dinner. Then Roman will get you home.”
Chapter 3
Bella couldn’t help but notice that Gisella’s phone kept ringing and buzzing, and she appeared annoyed. Caprice, Donata, Fina, and Giada were talking about Friday night and attending a party at Club X. Caprice was going to meet them there after her performances at Club Magique. Bella placed her hand over Gisella’s forearm.
“What’s going on?”
When Gisella gazed past Bella toward Turbo and Harley, Bella’s security when her men weren’t with her, it bothered her.
“Nothing. Just super busy working at the agency and getting my own business growing.”
“I’m sure that’s pretty stressful. Why branch out if you’re making great money with the agency?”
“I want to get away from that, away from Keller and Andrew and their demanding ways.”
“They still hitting on you?” Giada asked, now joining in.
Gisella snorted. “What do you think? You know them and have seen them in action.”
Giada nodded. “They are super-good-looking, though.”
“They are, and we can’t deny that,” Fina added.
“Good look
s are not the problem. I don’t like their attitudes or how they think they own me, like more than me being an employee.”
“You’re more than that. You’ve helped to grow their company,” Fina said and took a sip of sangria.
“Which is why I want to pull away and do my own thing. I actually enjoy dealing in the high-end market and helping people get their money’s worth. I can really be with a client from beginning to end in the process.”
“Doesn’t working every day with no day off weigh its toll, though? I mean you were working last night when I called to confirm today,” Bella asked.
“I had a few clients yesterday and a showing in the afternoon. I have three places to show after lunch today.”
“Seriously?” Donata asked.
“Yes.”
“Who were you working with yesterday?” Caprice asked.
Bella knew who Gisella was with, and she couldn’t help but wonder if that was why she was acting funny. Mateus and Major had asked Bella about Gisella and how she knew men by the name Picatta. Bella remembered Gisella knowing Emanuel and most of their family for years and that she helped them for real estate needs. Her men weren’t happy about that and had told Bella that if those men ever came around when Bella was with Gisella that Bella needed to understand why her security would make her leave. Mateus said they weren’t good men. They were into bad things and were trouble. She worried about Gisella.
“So who? Someone famous? An actor, actress? Who?” Fina asked, smiling and taking a sip of sangria. The others wanted to know as well.
Gisella held her glass, and before she took a sip, she whispered softly, “Fedarro and Collin Fiorre.”
“Whoa,” Caprice whispered.
Fina whistled.
“Holy shit. They are gorgeous, and scary and, oh God, fantasy in human form.”
Bella saw Gisella’s eyes narrow at Giada.
“What? They are untouchable. I mean they don’t even talk to anyone unless they feel like it. People can’t even approach them without like, permission and shit. It’s wild,” Giada added.
The others agreed and talked about how good-looking Collin was and how intense, mysterious, and angry Fedarro was, too. They gossiped about stories they’d heard of their capabilities and how they didn’t date women. Women threw themselves at them, and they had so many offers that the two men could pick and choose whom they had sex with.
Gisella’s cell phone buzzed, and this time she looked at it. It was obvious to Bella that Gisella was getting upset at the conversation. Could her friend be interested in the Fiorre brothers? Did she realize how crazy and dangerous getting involved with them would be? Had something happened already?
“Excuse me a moment. I need to take this call.” She stood.
The others continued talking, but Bella looked at Caprice who sat next to her. Caprice whispered to her, “Morano got a call from Major. Something about Gisella showing Fedarro and Collin real estate yesterday. They had dinner afterward. Even though the guys didn’t say anything, I wonder if something went down.”
“You mean like Fedarro and Collin hitting on her? I wouldn’t be surprised. They talked to her most of the night when you first took the stage at Club Magique,” Bella added.
“Sooo, maybe she does like them. We should find out.”
Just then Gisella returned. “I’m so sorry I can’t stay for dessert. That’s the potential client I’m supposed to meet in an hour. He moved the time up because of business later this afternoon. I’ll see you guys Friday night, though,” she said, and they all stood to hug her good-bye.
“I’ll call you later so we can talk,” Bella said.
Gisella smiled. “I’m good, Bella, really. Just a lot going on, and business has to remain top priority and focus. I can’t get sidetracked, you know.” She squinted.
Bella wasn’t sure what she meant. Like maybe liking Fedarro and Collin could sidetrack her from her goals? She would find out later.
“Be safe,” Bella said, and then Gisella left.
“You’ll call her later?” Caprice asked.
“Definitely.”
* * * *
“How did it go?” Keller asked Gisella as she walked into the office at the agency.
“He’s a bit eccentric in his tastes. You could have warned me,” she told him as both he and Andrew followed her into her office. Her secretary handed her three files for closings and some documents that needed review. She thanked her. Then the woman closed the door. Andrew sat on the edge of her desk, and Keller stood there looking her over.
“So what do you think?”
“I think he’s going to want to think it over for the next few days. If I had to guess, I believe he’ll choose two two-zero-seven. It has that outdoor patio on the roof, and he likes to throw small parties and things, although he was talking about all the renovation work it needed.”
“At two two-zero-seven? Is he nuts? That’s in perfect condition. Top-end everything,” Andrew stated.
“Like I said, eccentric.” She sat at her desk, crossed her legs, and glanced at the notes on her desk. A lot of them she had already handled, so she tossed them into the garbage.
“Well, we don’t know whether we should thank you or be angry with you for not sharing this to begin with,” Andrew said.
“What do you mean?”
“First, that you met York Saint James, and he wants to do business with you. That’s serious stuff.”
“You know I met with him and the Picatta brothers.”
“I bumped into Iglesias at lunch downtown. I spoke to him about the deal and working with us and you here,” Keller said to her.
“Keller, why would you do that when Iglesias purposely spoke with me about doing it privately?”
“He said you weren’t interested in negotiating the deal and all its factors.”
“I’m not, Keller, nor should you be. It’s not typical real estate,” she said to him in warning yet knew he and Andrew did illegal deals often enough that she wanted out of here.
“Well, we know what we’re doing. Iglesias put us in touch with York Saint James, and we’re going to take this deal over so you won’t need to be involved. Considering that you’re doing the side business and things are going well, it should work out for all of us,” Keller said.
“If this is what you want to do, then do it. I don’t want to be involved at all. I made that clear to Iglesias and Emanuel the other day.”
“You don’t need to be involved, well, other than an initial meeting,” Andrew told her.
“Initial meeting? You just said this is your deal. I don’t need to be involved in any way.”
“It was one of York Saint James’s requests. There’s a banquet affair at Hotel Marquis. He thought we could all meet at a private table to discuss some things, but he asked if you would be attending the event, and considering that many of our clients will be in attendance, we knew that you would be. The event brings in a lot of the big shots. You know this, Gisella,” Keller said.
She exhaled. “I was planning to attend, but I’m not promising to go see the man. If we bump into one another, then so be it, but that’s it. I said I want nothing to do with any deals with him or the Picattas. You take them on as clients from here on out.”
“Seriously?” Andrew widened his eyes, looked to Keller, and then back at her.
“I’m done with them. Soon enough I’ll be leaving here and focusing on a small number of clients and a referral basis.” She was pissed off. She didn’t even want to talk to Emanuel and Iglesias for doing this. They were pushing into every aspect of her life, and she couldn’t help but wonder if it had something to do with Castron seeing her with Fedarro and Collin.
“Not sure if Emanuel and Iglesias are going to go for that, but whatever you want. We knew from the start that your real estate business would take you from working for us eventually. We don’t want to lose you, Gisella. Even consider hanging on part-time, and we’ll accept that,” Keller said to her.
“I’d better get this paperwork done,” she said, and they nodded and left the room.
She glanced at her cell phone and scrolled down. No wonder Iglesias and Emanuel were texting her so much. She was glad she was ignoring them.
Her cell phone rang, and she saw the caller ID. Her heart began to race, and she glanced up to be sure the door to her office was closed. It was, so she answered.
“Hello.”
“Hello, Gisella. How are you?” Collin asked her.
“I’m doing well. Thank you. What can I do for you?”
“My brother and I were discussing some of the aspects of this deal with Myran.”
She chuckled. “I had a feeling that the three of you would wind up negotiating terms with one another. It’s why I questioned him even using me as a middle person to begin with. So what is the bottom line? What do you need from me?”
“Actually, Myran said for us to get together with you again to go over all the details and to negotiate an offer. He explained that you know his bottom number. We have a few concerns, but we can go over them with you. Would you be available Sunday? Around lunchtime? We could meet at our penthouse and have lunch ready for us. We do have an earlier meeting but should be finished by twelve.”
“I suppose if that works best for you, then sure. I can be there.”
“Roman will pick you up at your place around eleven thirty. That way you have enough time to get through any unforeseen traffic.”
“Okay. Sunday at noontime. Thank you,” she said, and then they were both silent. She wanted to say something to him, but she was so intimidated by these men. It was crazy. “Well…is there anything else I can help you with, Collin?”
“We’ll see you Sunday,” he said and ended the call.
Her heart felt heavy in her chest, and her gut clenched. This was bad. So bad. Gisella couldn’t even stop thinking about how Collin kissed her and then how she was curious about how it would feel to have Fedarro kiss her. Yet she knew this would lead to a dead end. No one looked out for her. Men put themselves first always.
Made Men 4: One More Time (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 6
