by Daphne Dawn
“Not bad for a start,” I murmur and see amusement in his eyes.
“The start, eh?”
I nod. Unsure of exactly what’s come over me. I can feel an insatiable hunger.
These brothers seem to have unleashed a beast inside me I didn’t even know existed. It’s not a bad beast. It’s a new me, a me I think I might get to like.
But the mission and the senator, an ugly inner voice reminds me, and I push it away.
Now in this moment of total fucking bliss, I don’t want to think about any mission or any senator.
Right now, all I want is to go somewhere private.
32
Sofia
So, this is what they mean by the expression, ‘The black dog’s come to visit’.
Elation, joy, and happiness are leaving me faster than a speeding express train leaves the station platform.
Of course, it’s silly of me but I can’t help myself.
The day has been perfect, and now I’m standing here by myself in a room way too big for one person.
The bed is also too big for one, and I’m surprised that my entire body aches to be with one of the brothers, preferably all three at the same time.
Maybe I should be shocked by my own feelings, but I’m not. Quite the contrary, I’m feeling rejuvenated and getting to like this new me.
There is no denying I’ve been completely smitten by these three.
Franco.
Marco.
Antonio.
Brothers. Similar yet all so very different.
What an amazing couple of days I’ve had. To say it’s been action packed would be an understatement.
Okay, so not action-packed in terms of gun blazing, fist fighting and conquering blazing fires. Action-packed in terms of full-on fucking emotional turmoil and sex.
I pace around my massive living area and bedroom.
All around me, this obscene wealth glares at me, and yet I ignore it. None of the brothers flaunt it or make a big deal of it.
It’s almost as if they’re struggling to fight against it and what it brings. Maybe it’s not the wealth they’re fighting but the name.
Say their name, Monatello, and people quiver in fear.
It says so much, and yet they’re nothing like what the name suggests.
They don’t seem to be criminals. There’s no evidence of extortion, and I can’t see any corruption.
As if to tell me I’m wrong, I suddenly remember the piece of paper. I had retrieved it earlier and left it in my room.
It’s as if it is calling me now, calling me a liar.
With a trembling hand, I pick it up and stare at it.
A bunch of names. Of football clubs. And then there are the numbers.
None of it means anything to me.
Could it be innocent? Is it possible it was someone keeping score?
The tiny bit of cold hard spy left in me laughs out loud.
It’s as chilling kind of laugh, the kind that leaves you with a shiver down your spine.
Remember your mother, my inner voice adds, as if trying to make a point.
My eyes just stare at the handwriting until the letters and numbers blur.
I shouldn’t have this piece of paper. Suddenly, it disgusts me and I can’t believe I’ve brought it into my room.
After all they’ve done for me, I shouldn’t have taken it from the kitchen.
You’re on a secret mission, you fool, my inner voice reminds, and I shut my eyes.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
No mission has ever played with my emotions the way this one is doing. Something has happened to the cold, hard, badass spy I’ve come to be known as.
My judgment is never questioned by anyone, not even by me.
And now that’s exactly what I’m doing—questioning my judgment.
I take a deep breath and reach for my phone. First things first, take a photo of and then put it back.
Gently, I open my door and glance in both directions. I can’t hear or see anyone. It occurs to me how strange it is the brothers don’t seem to employ full-time staff.
Most people in their position would have staff for everything, from cleaning, cooking to simple day-to-day management matters.
I’ve heard mention of the cleaner coming, but I have seen no evidence of anyone else employed.
There’s been the occasional security guard, but the brothers aren’t flanked by them the way the senator is or any other people in the same business.
Slowly, I creep along the corridor. Soft light drops from the ceiling. Must be nightlights of some sort.
At the staircase, I stop again.
My heart is now beating so loud and fast I fear someone might hear it.
With my head tilted to the right, I hold my breath and hesitate. My right hand holds on to the piece of paper.
If I meet Franco, Marco or Antonio, I’m not quite sure what I’m going to say.
Maybe I should hide it so if I do meet one of them, I can pretend I’m thirsty and after a nightcap.
I stare at the paper.
To hide it, I have to fold it and it will be creased. Then, the brothers might suspect that the piece of paper had been taken. With a lack of staff coming and going, I would be their prime suspect.
Nothing to it; I’ll just have to bite the bullet and deal with it if it happens.
Instead of taking the stairs slowly, I practically sprint down. There’s no risk of creaking since they’re covered in thick plush carpet.
At the bottom, I stop again.
Was that a voice or several voices?
To my left, I think I can see light creep through one of the closed doors. Of course, I’m still not entirely sure what lies behind all these closed doors, and I guess now is not the time to find out.
Suddenly, I feel the hair on the back of my neck tingle. I spin around and am prepared for some lame excuse as to why I’m up.
But no one’s there.
False alarm.
My inner senses are really on fucking holiday tonight.
Throwing caution to the wind, I now sprint to the kitchen. Quickly, I throw the paper onto the marble kitchen bench, roughly the same spot where I had found it earlier.
All I want to do is get rid of it and go back up to my room.
With my little mission complete, I turn to leave.
When I turn, I nearly scream, but I hold my tongue.
There’s something at the door. Frozen, I stay where I am.
But then, I realize that what I thought was a person is the painting hanging in the hallway, the painting one can see through the open kitchen door.
I decide to calm my shaking nerves by making myself a warm drink. It takes me less than ten minutes to find and make hot chocolate.
At least now I’ve got a legitimate reason for being down here.
Back in my room, I cradle my warm drink and stare at my phone.
I should contact the senator and pass on what I had found. But my fingers don’t seem to obey my command.
Eventually, I type a short message to the senator.
But it’s not what he wants to hear.
33
Franco
What a fucking productive day it’s already been. I’ve sweat my balls off during my workout this morning, and I’ve already been to the office and taken care of some business.
I’m picking up Sofia back at the house so I can give her a tour of the escort agency. I’ve been looking forward to this since she asked about it last night at dinner.
I don’t know what it is about her, but she makes me feel alive. I’ve never been with a woman like her before. Of course, I’m used to having several women around me at any one time.
I’m not used to having only one.
She makes me feel important and worthwhile, like I matter in this world. I’ve never felt fucking good enough for any woman before. I mean, if you strip away the money and name, Monatello, what the fuck are you left with?
I sure have enjoyed m
y time with Sofia. I haven’t been able to take my eyes off her when I’m with her. Last night’s dinner was fucking amazing, and she showed interest in my escort agency.
Not many women I meet give a damn about that.
Apparently, it doesn’t bother her that I’m this billionaire Mafioso type. For some reason, that’s a turnoff for other women I’ve met. I’m not sure why.
I had thought women loved a man with money who’s fun and mischievous? Could it be the stigma?
The limo driver takes me back to the house. I ask him to go inside and see if Sofia is ready to go on our venture to the Cartel Exclusive Escort Agency.
Within a couple of minutes, the driver and Sofia get into the car.
She looks as fucking hot and sexy as she did last night. I have trouble keeping my eyes off her. She’s wearing a little black dress with the black high-heeled shoes she wore last night to dinner.
The dress shapes her ass well. And, man, what an ass she has.
The driver heads the limo towards the escort agency.
“How was your morning?” I ask Sofia. I put my right hand on her left leg to make her feel relaxed in my company.
“It was pretty good.” She smiles at me.
“That’s great.” I smile back.
“And yours?”
There’s that realness about her again. She asks as if she really cares.
“Great. Productive. The best part, though, is having you here with me.”
For a few minutes, we sit in silence. I break it first.
“So, I got a feeling last night that you haven’t been to an escort agency before. Am I right?” I ask her.
There’s hesitation in her voice when she says, “Well, I mean, I’ve worked in one, but nothing like the one you run and…”
She’s clearly uncomfortable talking about this. “I’m interested to see how you manage yours.”
“You’re going to love my girls. They sure love to tell fucking stories about their clients.”
“I bet they do.”
“Like Maria, for instance. She’s been with the escort agency the longest and is one of my most dependable girls. She has this one client who likes to fuck everywhere. They’ve fucked in places that you’d never dream of fucking.” I look at Sofia, watching for her reaction.
“Like where?” Sofia gives me a puzzled look.
“An airplane, a cabana house, his office with all of these windows so the whole world could see everything they did. He doesn’t give a shit about anything or anyone. He just wants to fuck whenever and wherever he wants.”
“Don’t most of us?” She laughs.
I love her laugh. It makes her look so fucking sexy. I want to fuck her right here in the limo, but I’ll have to wait.
“One of my other girls named Rita has a client who insists that she wears this certain black lingerie every time she fucks him. They have to fuck on the kitchen counter and only on the kitchen counter. Nowhere else.” I glance over at Sofia.
“I’m not into lingerie. I mean, who needs it when you’re just going to take it off?”
“That’s true, but apparently, he gets aroused seeing her in it. It’s fucking crazy the things that these clients want, but if we don’t give it to them, then they won’t keep coming back for more. We don’t want to lose clients, do we?” I smile at Sofia, and she looks at me.
“Of course not. You’d be out of business if you lost them.”
“You’re absolutely right. So, my girls give what’s asked of them, within reason. We don’t tolerate violence or crazy dangerous shit.” I squeeze her leg. “Then, there’s Daniella. She has this client that makes her fuck him as well as his wife.”
“That sounds interesting.” Sofia isn’t shy, but then again after the other night with my brothers and me, I already know that.
I love how honest and open she is with me. I can carry on a conversation with her and enjoy every fucking minute of it.
“Are you enjoying my stories?” I ask.
“Hell, yeah.” She smiles. “Do you have any more?”
“Of course!” I’m trying to think of the other girls and all of the fucking stories they’ve told me.
“I bet there are a shitload of stories to tell.”
“You have no idea. My girl, Britney, has a client who insists that she uses the sex toys he has.”
“I’m not big on using sex toys.” Sofia doesn’t bat an eye when she says it.
“I’m not, either. But if it gets the fucking job done, then so be it.”
We look at each other. I can’t get over how fucking easy she is to talk to. I’ve never met another girl like her.
It seems to take no fucking time to get to where we want to get to today.
The driver stops the car and opens the door. I get out and give Sofia my hand to help her.
The Cartel Exclusive Escort Agency is in a red brick building, not too obvious to those outside. As we approach the entrance, I do my gentlemanly duty and open the door for Sofia.
I’m not a total asshole. I have respect for women.
Once we’re inside, the very beautiful Maria greets me warmly with a full-on mouth kiss. She thrusts her tongue into my mouth, and we kiss for what seems like a minute before she releases me.
I know from experience she just likes to tease me. There’s no way she’d let me fuck her.
I look over at Sofia. She’s staring at me, mouth wide open.
34
Sofia
Shit, what in the hell just happened? Franco has just kissed a really beautiful woman as we entered the Cartel Exclusive Escort Agency.
I’m pretty fucking sure he used his tongue. They kissed for what seemed like an eternity.
What in the hell am I thinking? I can’t have any feelings for these guys. I can’t even compare to this woman Franco kissed.
She’s so tall and slender with her long hair flowing down her back.
These guys can have their choice of any kind of woman they want. Who am I compared to them?
“Maria, I’d like you to meet Sofia.” Franco motions toward me. “I have some business I need to take care of right now. So, I need you to take Sofia around here and introduce her to some of the girls.”
Maria nods with a smile. “Sure, no problem at all, Franco.”
She turns to me, and we shake hands.
“You’re so beautiful.” I sound like a fucking idiot.
“Well, thank you.” Maria blushes a bit.
When I say she looks like a model, I damn well mean it.
“Sofia, you’ll be in good hands with Maria. I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes.” Franco heads out of the foyer and down a hallway. I have no idea where he’s heading, but I’m guessing his office here at the agency.
I’m left standing with Maria.
“Like Franco said, I’m Maria. I’m the head of the ladies here at the escort agency.” She smiles at me. “Even though I’m their boss, I still have a few clients. I didn’t want to give them up when Franco put me in charge. He said it was up to me.”
“I can understand that I guess.” I don’t know much about this kind of business so I’ve been soaking up as many details as I can.
“I had clients coming to me and saying if I didn’t keep them, they were going someplace else. I assured them we have other girls just as good as me, but they insisted.”
“It’s what they’re used to.” I sounded less like a fucking idiot.
“I don’t blame them a bit for wanting me to continue, though, so I obliged. Franco has treated me so well, I didn’t want to upset the clients we’ve worked hard to get.”
“I imagine that hurts business.”
“Of course.” Then, her smile disappears. “I’ve been here quite a while now, and Franco’s generosity continues to grow each year.”
“It’s great that he takes good care of you and the others.” My jealousy of this woman changes just a little bit—but only a little bit.
“Let’s go to our lounge area. I
know a few of the girls are in there, and you can meet several of them.” Maria points me in the direction of a huge room off the foyer.
We stand in the opening between the foyer and the room.
“Hey, ladies, I want you to meet a friend of Franco’s. This is Sofia. Let’s give her a warm welcome. Make sure you take a couple of minutes and introduce yourself.”
As I move around the room, I meet each girl.
“Hello, Sofia, I’m Daniella.” She reaches for my hand. She’s a little taller than average, with long curly blonde hair.
I think back on the story Franco told me on the way here. I chuckle inside.
“Franco’s a great guy,” she says. “He takes good care of us. I go to uni so I can earn a degree and get a better job. For now, though, this job pays my bills. I couldn’t get through uni without it.”
As Daniella and I talk, another girl walks up to us.
‘Hi, Sofia. I’m Britney.” She shakes my hand.
“Nice to meet you, Britney.”
“I heard Daniella talking about going to uni. She’s right. I could never have afforded to go there if it wasn’t for Franco. This job pays for all of my tuition there. I don’t know what I would do without it.”
“And he’s not worried that he knows you’ll leave for a better job once you finish college?” I glance at each girl.
“Oh, no. Franco’s a very understanding man. He’s even offered to help us get jobs once we finish. He says he has connections to different businesses.” Britney’s face brightens at this prospect.
“I need to get to an appointment with a client. It was so nice to meet you, Sofia.” Daniella walks away, leaving me standing there with Britney.
“Did I hear you two talking about university?” Another girl walks up to Britney and me.
“Yes, Rita,” Britney says.
“Hello, Sofia.” The girl holds out her hand and shakes mine. “I’m Rita. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too.” I try to be as polite as they are.
I feel like a fucking broken record, though. But I can’t be rude. They’re being so nice to me, and they don’t seem stupid by any means.
