Chapter 17: Chapter 17

SANTINO

^A FEW WEEKS LATER^

“Presley, the car is here,” Santino called out.

“I’m coming!” she shouted, her voice nearing as she walked up the hall. “Sorry, my laces wouldn’t cooperate.”

Santino felt his eyes bulge when she came around the corner. Beside him, Elio muttered a soft ~damn~.

“Cover your eyes, Elio,” Santino snapped.

Elio turned, a playful smirk on his face. Santino stared at the stunning woman in front of him. The tight leather pants she had on accentuated her curves, and the black lace of her top framed her chest. He grabbed her and pulled her flush against his body.

“Sonny, stop.” Presley blushed under his hooded gaze.

She shivered when he put his lips next to her ear. “You look fucking hot, Press. I can’t wait to show you off.”

He still couldn’t believe she was his.

After that stunt his uncle had pulled, he’d been sure that Presley was ready to walk away, but she’d been surprisingly understanding when Santino told her the truth about his family’s business. She hadn’t liked some of the shadier bits but supported Santino’s plan to clean things up.

If he screwed up again, there wasn’t going to be another chance. She had made that clear. But now that she knew the truth, there was nothing left to hide from her.

His hand coasted down her back to the waistline of her pants. He was going to have a hard time keeping his hands to himself.

He had already jerked off in the shower and knew that once wasn’t going to be enough. They still hadn’t had sex, and he was fine with it. But tonight was going to be a test of patience.

She smiled at him, shaking her head and stepping back. “Hi, Elio.”

“Hi, Press.” The man still had his back to her.

“Let me grab my phone, and we can get going,” Presley said as she sashayed into the kitchen.

Santino watched her ass sway in the tight leather pants, the laces in the back swinging as she walked. He silently groaned as he felt his dick give a nudge of appreciation.

It was opening night for his new club. Presley had worked hard on helping build up some hype, and Santino didn’t know who was more excited—himself or her.

They piled into the limo, Santino’s security detail warily watching the street before climbing in. He’d added a few more after his uncle approached Presley, tasking them to keep an eye on her. He hadn’t liked that Abramo had been able to get close to someone he cared about so easily.

The limo pulled up in front of the club. There was a line around the block, and there were several paparazzi along the entrance snapping pics.

“Look at this! This place is packed.” He looked outside the window, holding her hand. “You did this, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.”

She beamed at him. “I just posted some pics.”

“Stop, you did more than that. Take the credit you so very much deserve.”

“Okay, I’m sorry.” She gave him a sheepish smile.

“You ready?”

“Yes!”

They exited the car, cameras flashing and questions thrown their way as they headed toward the doors. Santino pulled Presley along as Elio pushed through the crowd, ignoring all the prying reporters.

Inside, the place was at capacity, and it was only after ten. They walked up to the VIP area on the second floor where their guests were. Tally came bouncing over, several well-known lingerie models with her.

“Press! This place is amazing!” she squealed.

Santino left her with the girls, who were enjoying the attention from most of the men in the club, and sat in the far corner with his immediate crew, watching her.

She took several pictures and posted them, no doubt setting him up for success in the coming months. He was so proud of her, and he told everyone who would listen this was all because of her.

“She did great, Sonny. So did you.” Elio held up his drink and toasted him.

“She’s fucking fantastic, Elio. Best decision of my life.” Santino took a sip. “Where are we on the ex?”

“He’s set to get out soon. Word from our friends in the law community is that his sentence won’t be extended. She can get a restraining order, but little good that does if he decides to come after her.”

Santino bristled at the thought of the asshole who’d tormented her getting anywhere near her again. Presley had finally felt comfortable enough to share some of what had happened with Santino. It had been an emotional night, but Presley’s spirit had seemed lighter after telling him.

“Fuck. Keep an eye on things. I want a detail watching her around the clock—but keep it subtle. I don’t want her spooked, and I want to know the second you hear from your guy on the inside.”

He was going to make sure her ex wouldn’t set foot around her ever again. “What about things with Espinoza?” he asked.

“Still haven’t found the missing product, but we managed to pay him off with the money we brought in from our sharks. It’s tense, but he’s okay. Your mom’s jewelry hasn’t shown up, though. We still have eyes looking.”

“Abramo probably snatched it,” Santino said bitterly. “At least the bank accounts are right side up. Tonight will bring in a hell of a profit.”

“You’ve done a great job, Santino,” Elio said, clapping him on the shoulder. “I’m proud to be considered an Agosti family member.”

Santino smiled, spying a towering blonde from across the room. He nudged Elio.

“Flo is here. She really does have a nice set of legs. How is naked yoga going?”

“Shut up.”

Both men laughed. Florence tossed a look over her shoulder at Elio, arching her eyebrow. She gave a slight nod and turned back to the circle of admirers that had gathered around her.

“Jesus, if that wasn’t a challenge, I don’t know what is,” Santino mumbled.

“Jealous, boss?” Elio gave him a wicked grin.

“Maybe. I’m on Presley’s timeline, and I’m fine with it. But seeing that lace on her tonight… If the wind blows, I might sport a fucking hard-on that could cut glass.”

Elio chuckled as Paulie walked up. He’d been away, handling things with the missing shipment and trying to ease tensions with Espinoza’s people. Santino held a glass out to him.

“Paulie, how was your trip? I hear you smoothed things over with Espinoza.”

Paulie took a sip, looking around the club. “Good, boss. They appreciated the olive branch and—”

Paulie paled, stopping mid-sentence.

“You okay, man?” Elio asked.

“Uh, yeah. Just a little…indigestion.” He handed over a bottle of vintage whiskey, a congratulatory gift for Santino. “I’m going to go say hi to the guys. Congrats on your opening, boss.”

Santino took the bottle, spying Presley coming this way. “Thanks, Paulie. Enjoy the club for a bit.”

Paulie nodded and fled. Santino looked at Elio, confused.

“That was odd. Did he seem a little jumpy to you?”

Elio shrugged. “He did just get back from his second trip to Mexico to see the cartel. Those guys make me nervous.”

Santino nodded as Presley arrived, grabbing his hand.

“Come dance with me, Sonny!”

***

The famous DJ Presley had called in brought the house down. The place was still going strong a couple of hours later, but Santino was ready to go home.

He noticed Presley had sat down with several of the girls and was drinking a bottle of water. He caught her eye and smiled at her, motioning for her to come join him.

As she approached, Santino felt her eyes on him. He relaxed in his white dress shirt, popping the top few buttons to expose just a hint of ink. She smiled, curling up in his lap when she got to his table.

“Hi, sweetheart. Are you ready to go?” he asked, lips brushing her ear.

“Yes. Can we bring some champagne home?”

“Hell yes we can.” He motioned for a bottle girl to bring them a couple.

Presley sat up, looking at a few of the guys gathered across the dance floor. “I’ll be right back. I recognize someone.”

Santino glanced at Elio and frowned as he watched her go over to Paulie. She waved, but Paulie didn’t acknowledge her. She said something, pointing back toward Santino, but Paulie shook his head and walked away, disappearing downstairs.

Santino stood up, and Elio followed.

“That was interesting.” Elio narrowed his eyes as he looked for Paulie.

“I don’t fucking like it, whatever it was,” Santino growled. “He was rude and ignored her. Make it known that won’t be tolerated.”

“She is well liked, Sonny. The guys know disrespecting her is a bad move.”

“Well, find out what Paulie’s problem is,” Santino ordered as he grabbed the champagne. “We’re going home. I’ll send the car back for you and the yoga queen.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.” Santino grinned. “You need to accept that challenge.”

Elio barked out a laugh and asked for a bottle of champagne to take over. Presley came back over, a frown on her face, and his bodyguards quickly escorted them out of the club and into a waiting car.

“What was that about?” Santino asked when they pulled away from the curb.

“Nothing,” Presley said. “I thought I saw someone I knew.”