His Dirty Bargain

by Fiona Murphy

  Russell tilts his head. “Maybe he’s like Cesare and Dante and doesn’t get involved with employees, which technically you will be while you try to find him something.”

  “No, it was something else. Like he resented the attraction, he seemed angry.” I’m not hurt. Considering I don’t want Enzo attracted to me any more than I want to be attracted to him, it shouldn’t hurt my feelings. And I’m not hurt. I think.

  “Damn, he’s gonna be one of those. He got burned by his ex so he’s making the next woman pay.”

  “How is he any different than ninety percent of the population? You did it, I’m doing it. It’s okay, really. I do not want to get involved with anyone. I meant what I said. It wasn’t one bad relationship or two; it’s been man after man since the day I was born. The person in your life should only add to it and make it better, and not one man in my life has done that.”

  “I’m a man in your life who makes your life better.” Russell pouts.

  “Barely.” I laugh as he smacks my arm. “I’m kidding. Seriously though, Enzo Sabatini has nothing to worry about from me. This is business, strictly business. I’ll find him something, it’ll take a day tops because there are so few homes fitting his wish list, and we go our separate ways.”

  4

  Chloe

  I sip my latte I brought from home, as I read through the properties we’re going to visit today for the eighteenth time. My eyes flick up to the time on the dash: six minutes until eight. I push a button a few times until the soaring notes of Chopin become low background noise. With a deep breath I close the folder, slide it in between my seat and the console and put my car in drive. I’m right around the corner from the front of Enzo’s building, where I’ve been for almost twenty minutes. Driving is more of a pain in the ass than riding the El or bus; however, I spend my day going from one building or house to another so I need my car.

  At the light I grab my air freshener and toss it into the glove box. I do my best to keep my car spotless, for my clients and resale. It’s a six-year-old silver Lexus bought pre-owned. I take no pride in it; as far as I’m concerned it’s a business tool. Clients responded well to it, so I figure it’s worth it.

  I slide in front of the building, scanning the sidewalk, refusing to check my makeup again. I’m not proud of how long it took me to do my makeup while trying for the bare-faced look, although I gave in to a lipstick in burgundy. It’s two minutes until eight. I fiddle with my long gold necklace with a round diamond circled in gold, a Christmas gift from Nonna. Looking down, I brush nonexistent lint from my dress, the black one Lydia picked out. My hair is long, loose, straight, and I’m dying to run my hand through it even though it doesn’t need it.

  The door opens. For a large man Enzo moves fluidly, silently into the car. He takes up the entire car, close, he’s so close. Oh lord, the scent of him floods my senses, leather, rain, and something completely Enzo. Even sitting my knees are weak, air is trapped in my lungs, fighting to get out yet unwilling to exhale him. Those black eyes meet mine, fire hot, bright and I’m melting at the apex of my thighs for him.

  His phone pings with a text. The phone in his hand, he sighs as he checks the display. Shaking his head, he looks to me. “Are we going?”

  The words are a taunt. Taking a deep breath, I welcome his dickish behavior, all the better to freeze up the crazy heat he causes. I don’t bother responding, simply putting the car into gear. Less than two miles away on Dearborn, we turn and thankfully there are several empty spots to park across the street.

  “I said no condos.” The harsh words are loud in the quiet of the car.

  Annoyed, I work to keep my tone light. “We aren’t going into a condo. We’re going there.” I point at the large brown, stone building. “Thirteen thousand square feet, six bedrooms, six and a half bathrooms, built in 1888. While there have been several updates many original details remain, stained-glass windows, woodwork, hardwood all original throughout.”

  He shakes his head. “No, it abuts another building, and there’s no privacy. Next.”

  I’m not surprised, not really; doesn’t mean I don’t want to smack him hard across his gorgeous face. I nod, pull out the folder and cross two homes off my already small list. Damn it.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Well, since you don’t like this one I’m going to guess you don’t want a house that is next door to a Catholic church.” He shakes his head. “I’m also crossing off another on Lakeshore Drive where the door opens onto the sidewalk without any front yard.” He shakes his head again. “Okay, that leaves us with three houses.”

  “I said to have five for me to see.” Annoyance flares across his stupid beautiful face.

  “I did have five for you to see. You don’t want to see them. I can turn around if you want.”

  His black eyes flash hot. “I told you what I wanted. If I said I wanted space around me, why would you pick a home where the house is right against another?”

  “Because it’s on one damn side. It’s also a big damn lot, it would have taken a pool, not a huge but one would have fit. You didn’t say anything about privacy, you said room. The house by the church has privacy, but it is right next to a busy over-a-hundred-year-old church. And I’m not an idiot. I have other homes; they aren’t for sale though, so the price will be for the seller to call. I have four of those.”

  He doesn’t say anything. At a light I chance a glance. “I’m glad you aren’t wasting my time today after all.”

  I roll my eyes. “This is my time too.”

  It’s a relief he’s quiet until we’re almost to the next house. “We are turning past Ashland.” He raps the words out until they sting.

  “Three blocks, three damn blocks. The house is worth it, there’s a park, a huge backyard, on a corner lot. This is a quiet neighborhood and only a few blocks away you’re in the thick of everything. You gave me a damn ten-mile-by-four-mile radius; if you don’t make even a small allowance then let’s just call it a fucking day and I’ll take you home now.”

  He doesn’t say a word. I take his silence for agreement.

  I park in the driveway. “This home is ten thousand square feet. There are five bedrooms with three of the bedrooms en-suite, eight bathrooms total. There is an indoor basketball half court. Three fireplaces, hardwood floors. As you can see there is enough parking for Dante, Cesare, and several more guests, including a three-car heated garage for Chicago winters.”

  It’s hard not to sigh with relief when he follows me out of the car. Keying in the code for the small box to unlock the house, I step inside and hold the door open. God, he’s huge. He’s in a steel gray silk suit cut to perfection, a pale blue shirt highlights his deep olive skin, his silk tie is a dove gray. “Marble entry, half bath.” I gesture to the large living room. “A formal living room, there’s another family room off the kitchen.”

  “When was it built?”

  “2005, newer with classic design though, as you can see. With the chair rails, the staircase—"

  “What’s that?”

  “An elevator, there are four levels in the house.” His mouth quirks up. It can’t be called a smile, not really, all at once I’m desperate to see him smile.

  “Bethany would love this place. She loves the elevator in Che and Alicia’s place.”

  “If you don’t like this place, I’ll make sure to put this on their list. This kitchen is gorgeous, the stove is amazing. Dante mentioned all of you were taught to cook and do it often. This island is a great place to spend the afternoon making pasta, a marble countertop will make it easy.”

  He shrugs. “Keeping marble clean is a pain in the ass.” He walks toward the French doors. His eyes are on the park behind the house.

  “You can put up trees for privacy, this backyard will fit a pool, with plenty of room. The lot is six thousand two fifty.”

  “Price?”

  “Four million two fifty, they are at market. It’s priced to sell.”

  His eyes roa
m the backyard. Without another word he goes back inside. “You said four levels?”

  “Yes, the next level has the master bedroom, another bedroom, an office with a terrace off of it.” I work to keep up with his long legs. “This bathroom is amazing, the bathtub—”

  “Is too small.” I bite my tongue. He hates it. The next ten minutes pass in agony, his frown deepening with every step.

  As we walk out of the house, he shakes his head. “No.”

  Forcing a deep breath, I simply nod. “On to the next one.”

  I double back to Lincoln Park. When we pull in front of the home I keep one eye on Enzo. He’s frowning and shaking his head. “You don’t even want to go in? It’s eighty-two-hundred square feet, six bedrooms, five and a half baths, built in 1989—”

  “No, this street is off the main but it’s still busy, there’s no parking.” He shakes his head.

  I sigh but don’t bother arguing. “Fine, hold on, let me make sure he’s okay with us going by this early. I didn’t think we would go through almost all of the properties in less than an hour.” I text the owner and wait.

  “The next one isn’t for sale?”

  Shaking my head, I keep my eyes on my phone. “Nope, but it could be. His response to my question was make him an offer.” The answer comes through. “Got the go-ahead, they have a housekeeper who will let us in. This was sold last year for eleven nine. I sold it. It’s a beautiful property with a huge lot with plenty of room for a pool.”

  I ring the doorbell, and within seconds the door is open. A pretty older Hispanic woman opens the door. “Hello, Mr. Chang, he told me you are coming. Every room is open to you. If you need me, I’ll be in the kitchen.”

  “Thank you.” She nods as she quietly leaves us in the foyer. “This home is eight thousand square feet. There are six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and it was built in 2013. As you can see it’s classic in design, a lot of hardwood, chair rails, crown molding, and everything was done with attention to detail. These hardwoods are wide plank oak.”

  Enzo follows me, his eyes touching on everything, missing nothing. No frown until we get to the kitchen. “I don’t like all the wood. It feels heavy in here even with the white cabinets.”

  As I look around, I nod in agreement. “The fronts could be redone, it wouldn’t be cheap but—”

  “You said it sold for eleven nine, and it’s only eight thousand square feet.”

  “It did sell above market. Market in most areas of the city varies from three hundred to right under five hundred per square feet. Some of the homes in this area of Lincoln Park can go as high as eight hundred. Anything more is over market. But this has everything you asked for, you won’t have to buy any other houses to get what you want. This is on three city lots, that’s where the price is coming from.” I turn, gesturing. “The kitchen opens to the family room, then out onto the back.” I open the huge arched doors then step out onto the terrace. “You have a fourteen-foot deck and enough room for a pool.”

  He goes down the stairs, I can’t keep my eyes off him. Please let him buy today. It’s so fucking annoying I want to deck him, and at the same time find out if his lips are as soft as they look.

  Before I can get it together he’s back in front of me. A small nod, barely perceptible. “Are all six bedrooms on one level?”

  Shaking my head, I go inside. “There is a third level, a lower level has two of the bedrooms and two bathrooms. There’s a recreation area downstairs as well. The master bathroom, double sinks, and this bathtub, is it big enough?”

  Those soft lips purse. “It is, but it’s a soaking tub, not a jetted tub. I’d have to replace it.” He opens the glass door of the shower. “Steam shower?”

  “Yes, the control is there.”

  Another nod, and I fight not to squeal in happiness. I’m so good.

  Tour over, I thank the housekeeper, then go outside where Enzo is leaning against my car deep in thought. “Okay, two more properties to go.”

  A glance at my watch; it’s a little after nine thirty. Enzo took his time, taking everything in as we walked through the house. Unlike the first house, when I felt his eyes on me almost the entire time. The drive to the next house is quick without traffic.

  His black eyes glisten with interest as we pull into the driveaway. I allow a small smile. “This place is priced to sell at below market. It’s only two point six million. As you might already be able to tell, it’s on five and a half lots. And it’s made use of every inch, there are six bedrooms and six bathrooms within twelve thousand square feet. Built in 1913 it’s designed by Maher. A few of the homes are in a three-block radius, and they are all Prairie style. Of course there are updates but many of the details remain, like this door. All of the wood is original.” I allow my hand to run over the rich wood along the stairs.

  A corner of his lips tips up. “Putting an elevator in here would be a tragedy. You’ve been in here before.”

  I nod. “A few times for the clients who say they want a large home, but what they really mean is a big condo in a steel and glass building. It never fails to make me sad. This is a real working fireplace, this hearth is gorgeous, those original glass doors; how can you not appreciate how beautiful this place is?” I point out the doors leading into the library. “Everything comes with it, the grand piano, the leather sofas, it’s all included.”

  We head into the kitchen. “The kitchen was updated recently with restaurant-quality appliances.”

  A frown appears as he looks around. “It’s not nearly wide enough. There isn’t the counterspace a kitchen this large needs. Why isn’t there a pantry in here? I would gut this and start over completely.”

  It’s annoying when he’s right. “You’re right, it doesn’t match the rest of the house. They doubled down on wood in here, but it’s too light and the countertops look cheap. Redoing this and making it what you want won’t cost you much but a little bit of time.”

  A dark eyebrow goes up as he looks at me. “And you would know about redoing a kitchen?”

  I bristle. “I do. I’ve done two kitchen remodels. The two flat I purchased was a mess. I put up cabinets, did the backsplash, and painted myself. I also had to put in a new subfloor and laid hardwood without any help.”

  A nod, I’m pretty sure the asshole is trying not to laugh. “My apologies, you don’t look like you would be one to get dirty. I stand corrected. I’ve done a little more than two, however, and this would take some time and quite a bit of money to get right. What would you do?”

  Remembering what he said about the size of the kitchen, I see what he means even though it wasn’t my first thought. “I would blow out that wall. The problem will be it’s no doubt a load-bearing wall. The beam would run anywhere from five to eight grand easy. But once it’s done it will flow smoothly, making it one big kitchen, dining, and living area. You’ll be able to put in the island the space is screaming for, and even though the appliances in here cost somewhere around ten grand, they don’t look right in the space.”

  Looking around, I sigh. It’s not a bad kitchen, it simply doesn’t fit the home. I feel Enzo’s eyes on me, and I chance a glance up at him. He’s leaning against the counter those black eyes are endless; I can’t look away. “Why do you want a home like this if it’s just you? Are you going to get married again?”

  The moment the words are out I want to call them back. What the hell is the matter with me? Why is it getting harder and harder to breathe the longer he takes to answer the question? He shrugs. “I have no plans to marry again. I’m not sure really.” I can’t believe it. Enzo Sabatini not knowing exactly why he is doing something doesn’t seem like him at all. “I just know I want out of where I am, and I don’t want to go back to something like it again. A yard with grass, the ability to open a window are all appealing right now. Even the things I once thought I wanted, a doorman, the security...all that makes me feel claustrophobic, as if the walls are closing in.”

  He straightens, tense, as though he said mo
re than he intended. “I felt the same way growing up. It didn’t make any sense, because at first I was grateful just to have my own bed, let alone an entire room all to myself. But it was the fourth floor in a six-story building and even though we had the whole floor, I always felt closed in. There were buildings on two sides of us, close enough to touch. As soon as I got to Chicago and saw all the houses around the city, I knew I would do whatever it took to live in one as soon as possible.”

  “When did you buy your mess of a two flat?” He’s not quite as tense anymore; his mouth is soft again.

  “Five years ago. I saved every spare penny, lived like a broke college student long after I was one and worked a second job as a translator for a small publishing house to do it.”

  His eyebrows go up. “A broke college student? Neither your grandmother or mother helped you?”

  I’m not really surprised he knows about my family and thought since Nonna was a comfortable millionaire with her buying and selling of real estate in Milan, some of that wealth would trickle down to me. Dante was upfront about the employees in the firm having a background check done by a security firm that could find out blood type and favorite color. The only problem was, Nonna spent hundreds of thousands on my mother’s medical treatments and now while still comfortable, she’s no longer a millionaire.

  “No, when I left Italy I took two suitcases and not much else. Although I did take the jewelry Nonna and my mother had bought me, eventually I sold it all to live.” Even now I wince with regret at selling the jewelry. “I was daring to defy my mother; Nonna wasn’t happy with me either. They both felt me wanting to meet my father was a betrayal. I was discounting everything my mother endured. How could I want to see the father who abandoned us? He only married my mother to become a citizen, then left her the moment his approval came in the mail.” I roll my eyes. “All I wanted to do was talk to the man, just once, to see what he looked like, find out what his voice sounded like. I was curious.”