The Forbidden Prince

by Bonnie R. Paulson

  Judging by the statement she’d made before departing, marrying her was the only way I’d get to have what I wanted.

  Marriage wasn’t something I wanted in my immediate future. I would consider it for Sofia, which made her more dangerous than a federal agent.

  I finished my dinner and climbed into my car. The moon hung low behind thin clouds which covered the stars.

  The distance to her warehouse took minutes with light traffic. I parked outside, leaning against the door of the car as I stared up at the windows lit from within. One way or the other I had to convince Sofia I wasn’t a jerk.

  Without thinking through what I was about to do, I answered the tug inside my gut to knock on the door. I stood there, hands in my pockets as I waited for someone to open.

  Blue jerked the door wide, glaring at me with heavy lidded eyes. “Business hours are over.” He flicked his gaze pointedly toward my car.

  “I’ve got it, Blue. Thanks.” Sofia came into view, her legs slowly stepping down the stairs, revealing the rest of her with each step. Blue didn’t release his glare as he backed away from the door and disappeared into the shadows past the stairs.

  Stepping into the place abandoned by her guard, Sofia arched an eyebrow at me and I suddenly wasn’t sure that following my impetuous instincts was the smartest move to take with her. I swallowed, glancing behind me and then back at her.

  “What do you need, Rossi?” She’d taken to calling me by my last name. Things were definitely slipping backward in our relationship. If for nothing else, I had to stop the decline before I lost the deal as well because of my insatiable need for her indomitable will.

  Keeping my hands in my pockets, I stayed where I was. “I wanted to apologize for my behavior. You’re so much more than a one-night stand. I knew it before I even spoke, but…” I grinned, aware that I was anything less than perfect. “Keeping my mouth shut and not saying everything that pops into my head is something I need to work on.”

  She considered me, leaning against the heavy door panel, her eyes soft but discerning. “At least you asked, instead of assuming.” She motioned behind her and then at the space between us. “I know there’s something here, but this business of mine? It’s my world. Messing around with you could possibly put a deal on the line and I’m not ready to sacrifice that. Not for anything. Especially not for a hot-headed Italian who thinks because I’m a woman worth looking at I must be a woman worth seducing.”

  Feeling like I’d been reprimanded by my nonnina, I nodded and swallowed again. “You’re right. My apologies again. I didn’t mean to insult you.” And I hadn’t. I just needed to watch myself with her.

  “Thank you. You’re forgiven.” She moved to close the door and then stopped it, lifting her eyes to meet mine. “And Rossi, when the time is right, I’ll do the seducing.”

  She closed the door before I could accept. When the time was right, she wouldn’t have to work very hard. She didn’t know it yet, but I was going to marry her. That would be a deal that The Rossi would be hard pressed to turn down and it would seal my position as the future dom.

  It would protect my heart as well.

  Chapter 8

  Sofia

  I was playing with fire and I knew it, but I couldn’t stop. The thing was, I knew that most of the time women controlled men with promises to get what they wanted. It wasn’t hard. But I didn’t want to control Angelo. The few times I’d been around him, I just wanted to get to know him.

  That made my job exponentially harder.

  My supplier wouldn’t be in with the newest shipment for at least a week with the new tariffs being enforced along the coast. The only chances I would have to spend time with Angelo would be those that he or I initiated for personal measures.

  Two mornings after I promised I’d be the one to do the seducing – I was still mad I took it that far – I pulled on bag gloves and glanced at my phone. What were the odds Angelo was up? He seemed to be an insomniac like me.

  Acting on impulse, I reached over and texted him.

  Meet at Mercurio’s? I’m hitting the bags.

  I bit my lip and hit send before I could chicken out. I finished strapping on the glove to my left hand while glancing at the phone every few seconds. For all I knew, he was still sleeping.

  Before I could get too antsy and overthink the lack of response, my phone buzzed.

  I’m already there. See you in a minute.

  He was already there? I hadn’t seen anyone when I came in. Again, early morning workouts were a thing I’d brought with me from the Bureau. Even agents slept, so I would go to the gym when most of them were rolling over on their sheets.

  Nerves assailed my senses. Everything became more pointed; the smell of menthol cubes in the showers to help stave off germs and mold, the sound of water dripping from a sink faucet beside the door, the feel of the Velcro on my glove as I rechecked the strap.

  The chance that he would be there was significantly less intimidating than him actually being there. If I didn’t get myself in hand, he would find out he made me nervous and then he would gain all the control. I couldn’t allow that to happen. I refused to lose my traction in the role I was playing.

  As I stood from the bench, I looked across the short distance to the chipped mirror. Meeting my own eyes, I nodded slowly. This was a role. My body reacted to Angelo but that was something I couldn’t control, didn’t want to control. I was playing a role and nothing else mattered.

  The Sofia I had to be with Angelo and with all of the other people in Little Italy, dang, all of the west coast, was someone who wouldn’t shy away from a challenge. She was much like the Sofia I had to be with the agency, except that Sofia was expected to be fluid and adaptable.

  I could be both. I was both. I just couldn’t share all of me with Angelo or even complete fragments of myself. That would keep me alert and in control of the situation.

  Grabbing the right-hand glove, I strode from the locker room, intent on proving my confidence. I might have taken the cocky attitude a bit too far as I found myself standing outside the door, staring toward the bag area with no idea what I was going to say.

  Angelo’s back faced me, only slightly covered with a black tank top snugged against his muscles. His arms glistened as he threw punch after punch at a slightly swinging bag. Another man stood beside him, pointing toward specific spots on the body bag as Angelo attacked each in succession.

  The man glanced up, catching sight of me, his eyes going wide as he tapped Angelo’s shoulder. Bearing a slight resemblance to Angelo, the man stepped away toward the water fountain and Angelo turned toward me.

  I had less than a second to gather my confidence around me like a cloak. Brazenly, I arched an eyebrow and strode toward the bag area like I wore my heels and a dress that showed a good portion of my calves instead of a pair of running leggings and a rash guard.

  Closer to Angelo and his grin that left me more than a little unnerved, I held out my ungloved hand. “Can you help me strap this on?” I purposely kept my greeting to myself. I was in control. I had to be.

  Taking the glove from me, Angelo slid it over my extended hand but kept his gaze on mine. Was that a dimple when he side-smiled? So, help me…

  His fingers grazed the soft skin of my inner wrist as he tightened the strap on the glove. My smile faded as our gazes didn’t move. If I wasn’t careful, I would soon be texting my dad I quit, just so I could run away with the Rossi standing in front of me.

  “Ahem.” The man with Angelo cleared his throat.

  I blinked, breaking the connection with Angelo and having enough grace to at least blush as I turned toward him. Smiling, I held out a gloved hand, wrinkling my nose. “I’m sorry. My hands are gloved. I’m Sofia Thompson.” I had to get back into the role of a woman who ran a huge international corporation with illegal thugs on the side. I was a strong woman and I wouldn’t wait for anyone else to introduce me – to anyone.

  Reaching out and shaking my gloved hand, the man
appraised me with dark eyes that had a similar shape to Angelo’s. He inclined his head and glanced at Angelo. “I’m Allesandro Rossi. I’m Angelo’s younger but better looking and more charming brother.” He stepped closer to me and lowered his voice. “Did I mention younger? And better looking?”

  I adopted my coy smile and laughed. “Yes, you did. I like that.” I could see how the Rossis were taking over the west coast operations from other families, even the Russians. Their charm could secure them anything. I paused and left fake surprise change my smile to one of awe. “Wait, are you Sandro Rossi, the fighter?”

  He glanced at Angelo, pleased surprise making him blink and nod. “I am. I didn’t know people knew my name.” He didn’t need to know that I knew every single Rossi, some better than others, but all of them had at least ten pages in their own files that I’d been forced to study over and over until starting the undercover work. I just couldn’t let them know I knew what I knew.

  I waved the glove through the air between us and spoke with respect. “I am a huge fan of boxing. You’re on the pro circuit right now and rumored to be the next featherweight champion this season. That’s really exciting.” I flashed my flirting smile. “Maybe later I can get you to sign my glove.”

  “Yeah, he can do that, but I think he’s late for something.” Angelo snapped out of whatever haze he’d been in and moved closer to me, as if to shield me from his brother. He jerked his head toward the door and glared at Allesandro.

  One point me. Zero points for either Rossi men. If Angelo couldn’t be controlled with promises – he’d most likely demand payment sooner rather than later, then maybe he could be maneuvered with jealousy. The little flash he’d displayed was enough information to store away and use later.

  The younger Rossi shot me a smile filled with regret. “Maybe next time, Ms. Thompson.” He pierced his brother with a fast glance and then retreated to the other side of the bag area to grab a duffel bag before ducking out of the gym.

  “He seems nice.” I turned back to the bag I liked to use, commenting as if I hadn’t just flirted with Allesandro in front of Angelo. I could act innocent as if I didn’t know there was a problem.

  At least, I thought I could until Angelo pressed into my space, backing me up to the wall right behind me. His eyes heavy-lidded and his low voice husky, Angelo braced his hands on either side of me, studying my face with a mix of curiosity and need. “If you want me to be jealous, Sofia, I’m already there.”

  The muscles in his arms tensed and relaxed in a dance that I wanted to reach out and touch. I took a steadying breath that did nothing to calm me down and I glanced up, holding his gaze with my own. I bit my bottom lip, grateful when his eyes flicked down to watch the movement.

  Before stretching the silence between us, I lifted my chin. “You don’t act jealous.” I could play the games he accused me of, I was a professional. Plus, a part of me that was both Sofia the boss and Sofia the agent longed to fit into Angelo’s world. In that brief moment in the gym, I was myself and I responded like I would, just me.

  He lowered his head, getting his face closer to me until I could smell the mint gum in his warm breath on my skin. “What do you want me to do? Chase after Allesandro and beat him up? He’d win, but I’d take the pounding for you.” His face was no more than a few inches away.

  If I lifted my chin an inch, we’d be kissing. One inch. One. Inch. My chest rose and fell and I’d never been more aware of any man in my life. My knees were going to give out on me, if I didn’t take back the control. I unstrapped the glove he’d already placed on my hand, holding his gaze with mine while I did so.

  In a second the glove was tucked under my elbow against my side. He didn’t take his gaze off my face as I reached out with one manicured nail and slid the decorated sharpness along the curves of his right arm braced over my right shoulder. I peeked at Angelo through my lashes and matched the tone of his voice. “I don’t know, Angelo. I think you could take him.” Goose bumps rose on his skin.

  He blinked at my teasing, as if he wasn’t sure how to respond. After a moment, he shook his head and murmured, “Imp.” He pulled back and dropped his arms. He cleared his throat, breaking the spell around us as if he realized I’d taken control back.

  The game of situational power was a dangerous one. I couldn’t lose all of them and I couldn’t win all of them. The line had to be finite. I could do it, but at what cost?

  If I didn’t watch where I tread, I would be in danger of blowing my cover. Angelo was able to get under my skin and I had to watch that.

  Nothing would be gained, if he found out I was a Federal Agent in place to send him and his family to prison for the rest of their lives. No matter what, I had to keep him at a safe distance.

  Playing with fire wasn’t keeping anyone at a safe distance. We were getting close to an implosion and I might be the first to blow. That couldn’t happen.

  As soon as I got a chance, I’d have to ask my father when the game was over. I didn’t know how much longer I could hold out against a man like Angelo. The stakes were raising and I wasn’t sure I could keep up.

  Chapter 9

  Angelo

  I’m surprised I survived the gym meetup. We agreed to meet later that night for dinner and after an aggressive workout where Sofia proved to be tougher than I’d first gathered, we both got out of there.

  Space. I needed some space to gather my thoughts together. I also needed to touch base with my father before dinner with Sofia. He would want an update and I wanted to know how the alliance with the Capones was fairing. I’d been working the Sofia angle long enough I needed to know just what I was being left out of the loop on for other branches of the Rossi holdings.

  According to Dad’s secretary, I wouldn’t be able to see him until the next day since he was in a meeting with some politicians he donated to. Donated to was code for bought out. Not that it was a hard code to break.

  I checked in on some of the soldiers I’d been training and caught up on some email and other paperwork. Before I knew it, it was time to meet Sofia for dinner.

  A charcoal colored suit fit my mood perfectly. The woman was putting me on a sporadic burn that tried to be slow but had little bursts of oxygen that ignited minute flames here and there. I didn’t like the continuous shifting of control. Somehow, some way, I had to get the control and keep it.

  We met at The Pink Door just north of Pike Place Market. The restaurant was easy to find with its pink door facing the west.

  Stepping inside, I scanned the noisy but intimate interior for Sofia. A bar area and a dining area had already begun to fill with people. Leaning against the doorway to the bar, Sofia’s undeniable curves beckoned as she faced away from me. The dark waves of her hair controlled with a simple peach ribbon at the nape of her neck revealed the creamy texture of her skin bared by the low scooped neckline of her dress.

  She wore a peach colored ensemble with a retro feel to the skirt and capped sleeves. I just wanted to stare at her for hours, but she turned, as if she sensed me behind her and our eyes met.

  I was screwed as I took in the soft doe-eyed innocence I knew had to be part of who she was. She wasn’t innocent. She ran one of the biggest corporations in the world. A person – no, a woman didn’t get that position by being sweet or good. She would have to claw and fight and kill to get there.

  We didn’t speak as we waited to be seated and I walked alongside her, placing the palm of my hand on the bare skin of her middle back as if to lead her but I really just wanted to touch her. The tingles in my palm did not disappoint.

  The hostess sat us in a corner table by a window with a dark tinge, as if it were a two-way mirror but the reflective side was outdoors.

  I studied Sofia, ignoring the menu placed in front of me and the ice water sitting above the fork on the setting. “Did your day get better?” What I really wanted to ask was if she’d thought about me as much as I’d thought about her, but I held my tongue in that regard.

&nbs
p; She sighed, reaching for her water and glancing around the room. Leaning in, she spoke softly. “My shipment skipped port. I have to send Blue and two others to clean up the situation. It’s times like these I wish I only worked in legal business.”

  Her frank admission took me by surprise and I inclined my head. “Yes, but I’ve noticed that the more legal the activity, the higher the cost.” Had we reached the point in our relationship where we trusted each other? Where we gave little bits of information to see just how much we could trust the other person?

  Sofia cocked her head to the side. “What’s good here, Angelo? I usually only come here for the Market.” She flicked a glance past my shoulder and I caught on that someone was getting close to our spot and it wasn’t the best time to talk illegal activities.

  “Their ravioli competes with Giovanni’s.” I didn’t need to see a menu. I’d been to The Pink Door numerous times. Usually I sat in the bar where the aerialist performed. The server suddenly stood at our side and I was grateful Sofia had indicated the arrival without actually saying anything. I glanced up at the server and held two fingers in the air. “Two raviolis, Caesar salads, the bread, and virgin peach bellinis.” Neither of us wanted alcohol to impede our thoughts.

  I could tell Sofia wasn’t a drinker either. I refused to drink since my father imbibed a bit too much at times. I would never lose that kind of control. I couldn’t. Not if I wanted to replace my father as the dom.

  Sofia watched me as the server left. She leaned back in her seat, reaching out and moving the knife at her seat from side to side. “I think trust is really important, don’t you?” She looked up, catching me appraising her.

  I didn’t look away in embarrassment. I wanted to look at her. I wanted her to see me looking at her. After a moment, I tilted my head to the side and met her gaze with mine. “I think trust is something that needs to be understood. There are levels. We’re business partners and that comes with a level of implied trust. After that, there are levels of earned trust.”