chapter 9

Angelo For the past two weeks, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Vittoria. After Tiny found out everything he could about her, I had them bring in Giorgio. The fucker was quick to fill in the blanks where she was concerned. It’s clear the man has no loyalty to his family. But not willing to just believe every word coming out of Giorgio’s mouth, I needed to hear it straight from Vittoria. I know she’s too fucking terrified to dare lie to me. I drink in her beauty as the wind ruffles her curls. Even though her soft brown irises are trembling with fear, she doesn’t break eye contact. She has more guts than that shady stepbrother of hers, who offered her to me on a silver platter as payment for his debt. I told him I’d kill him with my bare hands if he mentioned a word to her while I considered his proposal. It aggravates the fuck out of me that Giorgio was so quick to offer Vittoria’s virginity to me as payment for his debt. She’s worth more than a measly three hundred thousand dollars. She’s worth more than Giorgio’s pathetic life. What pisses me off is the fact that he has enough money stashed away in investments on the stock market to pay what he owes me, but he’d rather sacrifice Vittoria’s innocence. The fucker is willing to sell her virtue, then once she turns twenty-five, he’ll pawn her off to a man who doesn’t mind spoiled goods. I’ve also found out why he’s waiting until she’s twentyfive. Vittoria will get access to her inheritance, and Giorgio probably wants it. It fucking infuriates me. Staring at the woman who’s popped into my mind more than I care to admit, I can clearly see how innocent she is. When Tiny looked into Vittoria’s life, he couldn’t find a single black mark against her. Every Sunday, she serves coffee and tea after Mass. When one of the parishioners is sick, she delivers homecooked meals to them. This woman is as pure as they come. In my world, she’s rare, and I like to collect unique items. Vittoria’s tongue darts out to wet her lips, and the nervous action draws my eyes to her mouth. I’d bet every last dime I have on my name she hasn’t even been kissed.Mesmerized by the woman, I murmur, “Have you ever been kissed?” Her brows furrow together while the pink on her cheeks deepens in color. Christ, she’s so fucking innocent that a simple question about a kiss has her blushing. Vittoria shakes her head, and I can see how difficult it is for her to keep eye contact with me. I step closer until there’s only an inch between us, and leaning down, I take a deep breath of her scent. She smells like cookies and dough, instantly making my mouth water, and I catch a hint of something soft and floral. “I’ll see you soon, piccola cerviatta.”Calling her little deer comes naturally, and as I walk away, I feel her eyes burning on my back. Vittoria Romano might not come from a worthy family, but she has something no one else in our community can offer me – her innocence. Giorgio’s in for a surprise because I don’t just want Vittoria’s virginity. If I take her, I’ll marry the most beautiful woman in New York. She’ll warm my bed and give me heirs. And finally, Uncle Maurizio will stop fucking nagging me. Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me whether I’m married or not. The notion of loving a woman has never appealed to me, but owning this beautiful woman is definitely tempting. “Are we leaving?” Big Ricky asks as I approach him and Tiny. “Yes.” I walk to the SUV with blacked-out windows, and after climbing into the backseat, I mutter, “Drop me off at the club, then bring Giorgio Romano to me.” “Yes, boss,” Tiny replies while Big Ricky starts the engine.