Page 3 of The Prices We Pay (Vittori Enterprises #1)

Josephine

H oly shit. Holy shit. Holy shit.

The elevator doors barely close in front of me before I thrust my fist in the air and squeal like I did when Tommy Keller kissed me on the cheek in eighth grade.

I got it. I actually fucking got it.

I’m not entirely sure what just happened. I think I may have blacked out, but who cares?

I got it!

Not to mention, Luca Vittori is just…wow. And the hot bodyguard? Double wow.

Don’t get me wrong, I looked up Luca Vittori in heavy detail before the interview today.

I knew he was attractive, but nothing could have prepared me for seeing him up close.

His perfectly styled, wavy hair rivaled the shade of my black strands.

The dark stubble that covered his sharp jawline was groomed to perfection.

And his eyes, my god, his eyes. They were such a deep brown, they were almost black.

I felt like if I stared at them long enough, I would become irrevocably lost in their depths.

His lean, muscular frame filled out his designer, custom-tailored suit like a second skin.

Had the contract of my life not been on the line, I would have spent the entire time I was in that office envisioning what he must look like under that suit.

And Dante. I’ve never seen a man like him.

He stood at least two inches taller than Luca, who, if I had to guess, was around 6’5.

He’s built like an absolute brick shithouse.

I mean, his muscles have muscles. I’m not a small woman, and I just know he could pick me up and throw me across the room with little to no effort.

I’d probably let him, too.

Dante was wearing a simple black button-up with black slacks, and he exuded just as much authority as Luca. I only spared a couple of glances at the giant man, but his buzz-cut, dark beard, hazel eyes, and tan skin were truly something to behold.

He looked nothing like the stunning man he was responsible for keeping safe, but he was every bit as beautiful in his own way.

The elevator flies down thirty stories, and when it opens on the ground floor, I step into the lobby feeling like a million bucks.

Shit, at twelve percent, I’m going to have a million bucks before I know it.

My phone starts vibrating in my bag, likely Jasper calling to see how the interview went, even though I told him to call me tonight after the rodeo.

I slide one handle off of my forearm and rifle through the bottomless pit.

Unable to find it, I quickly look down to see if I can see the screen glowing in the black abyss when I walk straight into a wall of suit-covered muscle, knocking my bag right out of my hands.

Before the abrupt stop can knock me on my ass, a pair of tattooed hands reach out and grab my waist. And, like a meet-cute out of the latest romcom, I practically swallow my tongue when I look up to see the face of the man in front of me.

Is everyone in this building hot as hell?

“Easy there, Sweetheart.” His slight Italian accent sends a wave of goosebumps over my skin. One’s so prominent that I’m sure he can feel them through my blouse, where he still holds my waist.

The man standing in front of me is a walking contradiction.

His tailored navy-blue Ralph Lauren suit and matching tie, black silk handkerchief, baby-blue button-up, and black Oxford shoes suggest high class and sophistication.

However, his intricate tattoos that cover his neck and side of the head, visible through his high fade, indicate that he loves to be a bad boy and go against the grain.

Although his messy, dark brown hair may appear effortless, I’m sure it takes him twenty minutes every morning to style it just right.

The softness of his hazel eyes as he looks down at me would lead you to believe he’s a caring and gentle soul.

However, one look at his mischievous grin would tell you there’s more to him than meets the eye .

“You okay?” he asks as his hands suddenly grip me tighter, as if he’s afraid I might fall over.

It’s then that I realize I’m staring at him with my mouth open. I blink a couple of times, trying to clear the fog of arousal that his sexiness seems to have caused. “Yes. Sorry about that. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going. I was trying to dig for my phone in that damn bag.”

He lets go of my waist, and I internally cringe at the rush of cool air that follows. Bending down, he scoops my bag off the ground. “Bags this size can be a real hazard,” he jokes as he hands it back to me.

“You’re telling me. I wish I could say this was the first time something like this has happened, but then I’d be a liar.”

The goosebumps that covered my skin only moments ago are now replaced with a wave of heat as he unashamedly looks me up and down. When his devious eyes meet mine again, he answers, “Pity. Here I was hoping I was special. ”

I let out a breathy laugh. “Well, you are by far the most handsome man to have saved me from falling on my ass.”

Now it’s him who returns the laugh. “I like you.”

“You just met me,” I reply, forcing myself not to fidget nervously.

“What can I say? I’m a man who knows what he likes.” I don’t miss the fire in his eyes as he speaks. “Do you work in this building? I’ve never seen you here before. I’d remember you if I had.”

“I do now. Just got hired today.” My chest fills with pride at the reminder.

He gives me a knowing smirk. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you. You work here too, then?”

“Sure do.”

I’m not sure if my libido can handle seeing this many hot men on a daily basis. I’m sure I will find some way to soldier on, though.

“I’m Lorenzo, by the way. Everyone calls me Enzo. Unless I’m causing trouble.”

“Which I’m sure is quite frequent. ”

He taps the tip of his nose and winks. “Clumsy, smart, and beautiful. The trifecta.”

My cheeks flush crimson at the compliment. “I’m—”

I’m cut off by his phone ringing in his suit pocket. “I’m so sorry. I’m running late for a meeting. If I don’t get up there soon, my boss might literally kill me.”

I wave him off. “Totally get it. It was nice meeting you. Thanks for saving me.”

“I hope I see you around.”

“If you’re lucky.”

Chuckling, Enzo shakes his head and steps around me.

I take a deep breath, forcing myself not to look at his ass as he walks away and heads toward the elevator.

I only make it five feet when I hear his light accent boom through the lobby.

“Try not to dig and walk. Would hate to not be there to save you next time.”

I tilt my head back and laugh, ignoring the looks of everyone else in the lobby. I spin around and walk back toward the doors, waving my hand over my head as I go. “Goodbye, Enzo.”

I think I’m really, really going to like this job.