Page 9

Oh, it’s him... again!
What the fuck is Elio Donatelli doing in one of the FBI’s lead investigators’ offices? He’s sitting there in all his glory, tense, rigid, and eyes burning into mine. Or could it probably have something to do with the assassination I overheard him talk about at that corporate gala?
I let out a soft gasp and turn to look at him once again. I can see from the way his lips lift with distaste that he is in no way pleased to see me either.
Dennis catches my glare and clears his throat. “Oh, sorry. I’m yet to introduce you…”
“No!” we both chorus, then turn our faces away from each other. I turn away from him because he’s a murderer, and I regret having had anything to do with him. I mean, I heard him ask for someone to be assassinated.
Dennis clears his throat again. “You should at least say hi to my guest, Aria. Please. It’s rude if you don’t,” Dennis says, that annoying half-smile of his fixated on Elio’s face.
“We meet again.” He runs me over with his eyes, stopping briefly at the neckline of my low-cut blouse, then proceeding lower until I can almost feel his tongue on my pussy.
Every day, I’ve regretted what happened between us that night, and it can never happen again. The man is an assassin. And more than twice my age, for goodness’ sake. He’s old enough to be my father. Thank God I stopped before fully giving into him that night.
Well, why the fuck can’t he stop staring at me now?
There is a sudden throbbing between my legs, and I suddenly find myself turning away from him and hurrying out of the office.
Aria Abruzzi, get a hold of yourself!
I bite down on my lower lip, not releasing my grip until the throbbing underneath me has reduced to a dull tingle. My reason for being here, at the FBI headquarters, is for something beyond frolicking with this conniving son-of-a-bitch.
You have so many important things to think about, Aria, and a 7-inch cock isn’t one of them, I remind myself.
“Ugh!” I yell, flinging my purse across the ladies’ room where I ended up.
“Are you okay over there?” A lady calls from one of the stalls. I release a deep sigh, affirm that I am, and pick my purse right up.
Elio Donatelli would not get in my head. Not today when I have to find out if Dennis has any leads on my late brother, Mario, and ask for another favor regarding my Dad’s case.
I hold my head up high and walk back to Dennis’ office, the sound of my block heels echoing through the hallways and boosting my confidence.
Thankfully, when I get back, Elio is no longer in the room, so I walk in and give Dennis my biggest grin.
“Hey, are you okay?” I can sense his concern from the dip in his voice.
“I’m sorry about earlier.”
“It’s okay. I actually have a meeting with some of the other detectives...”
“This won’t take long, I promise. I just want to know if you’ve been able to find any leads regarding my brother...” My fingers go up to tuck in a nonexistent loose strand.
“I’m really pressed for time, Aria.” That annoyingly polite smile is still stuck on his lips as he grabs his keys.
“Alright, I just want to ask for a quick favor then. It’s for my dad, who was recently attacked,” I quickly add in.
He lifts his wrist to his eyes and shakes his head, “I’m in charge of this meeting, Aria. I can’t afford to be late today. I’ll see you later, and I promise I’ll help you out,” he says. I give him another polite smile and walk out of his office, the sides of my face a pale shade of red.
Once again, I’ve allowed that menace called Elio to get in my way.
***
As I step out of Finnegan’s office, adjusting the strap of my bag, my eyes land on Elio. He’s standing near the far end of the corridor, a phone pressed between his ear and his shoulder, speaking in a low tone. I can’t make out the words at first, but there’s a powerful authority in the way he holds himself that makes my breath catch.
My legs rise to my tippy toes as I take a few steps closer.
“You should know better than trying to negotiate with me, Cortez.” His voice is calm but edged very firm. “I am the don.La mia parola è legge qui(My word is law here).”