This is River’s car, not mine, so stop being such an ass.”
“River is only a few months old and she already owns a car. What next? A holiday home in the Bahamas?”
“Her holiday home is right next to Disney World, idiota, babies like princesses and super heroes, not sunbathing.”
I snorted at him, looking up the steps to the house as our breath fogged between us and the same girl from the other day waited patiently at the open door for us to approach.
“You look cold, bella,” I said to her, my gaze slipping over her black uniform with interest as I tried to figure out exactly what she had going on beneath it. “Do you want to come over here and let me keep you warm while we wait?”
A flush lined her cheeks as she looked up at me, raising her chin as she narrowed her eyes. “I’m a maid, not a whore, sir. You can warm yourself up just fine.”
Rocco fell into a fit of laughter and my eyebrows rose as she officially piqued my interest. I licked my lips as I assessed her, that fire in her eyes begging for my full attention.
“Aww, don’t be like that, carina, it was an innocent offer,” I promised, laying a hand on my heart and giving her my winning smile. “Why don’t you let me buy you dinner one night to make it up to you?”
“I’m busy,” she replied dismissively, looking away like I hardly even held her interest and Rocco nearly fucking died of laughter.
“I didn’t suggest a day yet.” I tried not to let my irritation show, but I was pretty sure I was failing at that.
“I’m busy all day every day for you, sir. I’m afraid you’re not my type.” She casually rearranged her dark braids, giving me a look at the length of her slender neck and I punched Rocco in the bicep to shut him up.
“And what type am I?” I insisted, moving closer to her as my arrogance demanded I call her bluff.
“I don’t believe it would be polite to say,” she replied casually, not even looking at me.
“Please, bella,” Rocco begged, his hands clasped together in prayer as he continued to chuckle away like an asshole. “I’ll give you a thousand dollars to answer his question and guarantee he won’t do anything to jeopardise your job too. I need to hear it.”
“Back off, Rocco,” I huffed, still trying to catch the pretty girl’s eye but her gaze was firmly on him as the sound of Enzo’s car pulling up behind us drew my attention for a moment.
“In cash. Up front,” she said, holding out a hand and Rocco grinned like a stronzo before pulling a wedge of cash from his pocket and counting ten, crisp hundred dollar bills into her hand.
She tucked the money into her pocket and flipped her eyes to me with a deadly smile which said she’d have told me this without the cash incentive and my heart beat a little faster as I waited to hear it.
“You’re the type of man who doesn’t hear the word no often enough,” she said to me with a curve of her full lips. “Because you’re a big, scary mob boss with a beautiful face and a smile that melts panties. Well, sorry it doesn’t melt mine. I like my men to come with a soul and my sex to come with some meaning attached. But don’t worry, I’m sure there are plenty of willing virgin sacrifices waiting back at your lair to keep you busy tonight.”
Rocco roared with laughter and Enzo’s deep chuckle joined in too as he arrived just in time to hear me get shot down spectacularly. I couldn’t even fight my own grin as I climbed the last few steps until I was standing before her, towering over her. I placed my hand on the door beside her head, leaning forward and boxing her in against it.
She raised her chin, holding my eye and I smirked at her as my heart pounded and I leaned close to speak into her ear. “Challenge accepted, love.” My mouth just brushed her flesh and the slight shiver which raced along her skin gave me the answer I’d been hoping for. I’d win her over within the month.
I backed away suddenly, dropping the flirtatious attitude and ignoring my brothers as they continued to taunt me, letting the girl lead us through the house to find our not so beloved aunt.
She was sitting in the