LUCA (You Will Be Mine) (The Sicilian Mafia Series Book 1) (9 page)

Luca smirked. “Maybe I am, but if you think about it, it makes logical sense. I wanted to make sure you were as good as I was told you were. I can’t have people running my businesses without making sure they’re perfectly capable.”

I stared him down. “This is
my
business, Luca.”

“It may be yours in the physical sense. You run the place. But not in the financial sense. I put a lot of money into your little venture. I even recently bought another ten percent.”

“If it’s doing so well, then why is Trudy selling you shares of the place?”

Luca looked a little worried for a moment. “I think she may be in over her head. She needed the money to help pay off some bad debt.”

I frowned. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Luca sighed. “I have gone too far. You need to speak with your aunt about this.”

I started panicking even more.
What had my aunt gotten herself into?
“I’m asking you.”

Luca shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. What’s done is done. I am here, and we have to get along. Normally, I don’t like to get so involved in a business venture. I wouldn’t unless something went wrong and I had to step in. When I saw you yesterday, though, this castle became a lot more appealing to me. That and who lives under its roof.” Luca motioned for me to eat, so I sighed and got tucking in. My God, it was good. “Do you like it?”

I nodded. “It’s lovely, thank you.” His beautiful smile lit up his face, causing me to momentarily forget why I was here. “This doesn’t change things though. I don’t want someone coming in and ruining my business.”

He looked serious. “That is not my intention.”

“I have never once had The Castle empty of clients. Ever. This will cripple me.”

Luca looked stern. “I’ll make sure that never happens.”

I regarded him for a moment. “How can you say that?”

“Truth be told, I wanted to get to know you more. I knew that would never happen with you running the place. I bet you’ve never taken a day off in your life, have you?”

I sighed, thinking how much he seemed to know about me. It was true. I had been putting all of my efforts into this business from day one. I had always put my castle and my girls before myself. It was just who I was.

“When I’m at work, I’m in control. I can make decisions and be the one responsible if it all goes tits-up.”

Luca placed his fork down on his plate. “That’s quite right, but, like me, you have people who will take control of certain situations for you. Be there if you need to take a break from it all.”

I sucked up a strand of spaghetti and noticed Luca’s eyes widening a little. “I’m just not that kind of person.”

“You work hard, and people who work hard need to be rewarded.”

I shook my head. “I don’t see how barging your way in here, taking over The Castle, cancelling all my appointments, and holding me hostage is helping me.”

Then, it was Luca’s turn to shake his head. “Clara, Clara, Clara. Tranquillo. I am not your enemy here. Far from it. I just want to get to know you better.”

With a huff, I carried on eating my Carbonara. Soon, the combination of the food, the wine, and Luca’s commanding presence was at the forefront of my mind. Everything in front of me was so delicious that it had all my senses screaming at me to gorge.
Just gorge, woman!

“Amore mio, you look at me like that one more time, and I may never finish my meal.”

Placing my fork down in a challenge, I raised my eyebrow. “Why don’t you then?”

Luca sighed. “Because you’re not ready yet.”

I couldn’t believe him. “What?”

“Your desire to get out of this room is much stronger than your desire for me. As soon as the balance is tipped in my favour, then I will give you what you want.”

A sarcastic laugh left my lips. “I really can’t believe you. You’re like a force of nature.”

“Thank you.” He raised his eyebrow and smiled. It made me giggle a little.

“I didn’t mean it as a compliment.”

Luca leaned back a little with a smug look on his face. “However you meant it, it was duly noted and appreciated.”

“Even when you’re talking about bedding me, you say it like it’s a business transaction.”

Luca studied me with those beautiful caramel-coloured eyes of his. “I take everything I do in life very seriously. But what I think and feel about you has nothing to do with business at all. You’re not a transaction or a game. I want you. Plain and simple.”

I couldn’t believe the gall of this man. “You say this isn’t a game, but then you force me up into my tower and dictate that I stay here until I drop my knickers for you. Oh, and not only that, but I have to
want
to drop my knickers for you in order for you to take me. You really are—”

“I know, I know,” he said, interrupting me. “A piece of work.”

Grabbing my hand, he began stroking it seductively with his finger. It was only a small gesture, but it had the fires starting nonetheless. I was becoming putty in his hands and fast.

“So this is your tower?” he said, gesturing to the room.

“Yes,” I sighed. “I thought it was an apt name considering it was at the very top of my castle.

“I like it.” He paused a moment and looked deep into my eyes. “I like you.” He kissed my hand tenderly, and a little groan escaped my lips. How quickly he had made me lose my senses.

“I want to take care of you. Your body screams at me to possess it and ravish it. Your eyes make me want to climb in and bury myself deep within you.”

I could feel my leg begin tapping underneath the table. I hated that he was taking control and dominating me in a sense, but I also wanted to plunge my tongue down his throat.
I think—in fact—I would like to kill Michel myself.
“I am not yours, Mr. Belatoni.”

Luca finished eating his mouthful before speaking. “You are what I say you are. You’re not mine in body yet, but you soon will be. Once I have it, I’m never letting anyone else near it again.”

My eyes widened. “How can you say things like that? We only met yesterday, and you talk like we’ve been together for years—and not only that, but you act like all the boys are out to get me.”

“When was the last time anyone made love to you?”

His sudden change in subject shocked me a little. I had to stare in wonder for a second before I answered. “It’s none of your business.”

“I’m assuming since you work twenty-four-seven and do not sleep with your clients, it means it’s been a very long time.”

“It’s none of your business,” I said again.

“I’m assuming four—maybe five—years?”

Six to be exact, but I wasn’t telling him that. “Okay, buddy. Since you want to know everything about my sex life, how about I ask you the same thing? When was the last time you had sex?”

Luca just shrugged. “Roughly over a week ago.”

I wasn’t expecting that. I also wasn’t expecting the huge gut-wrenching feeling in my stomach.
Why should I care that he’d had sex over a week ago?

“Oh,” I found myself saying in resignation.

He saw my expression and frowned. “See, it’s easy when you just answer the question… Though, I’m guessing that wasn’t something you wanted to hear.”

No, it wasn’t, but I would be damned if I told him that. “I just didn’t think you would answer so honestly and quickly like that.” I also didn’t realise how much knowing he was inside another woman just over a week ago would affect me.

“I am a man, Clara. I have needs.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “So does every man that passes through here. And the same reason why I don’t entertain them is the same reason I’m not entertaining you.”

He seemed a bit miffed by my statement. “I have never in my life paid for sex.”

“No, but you’re willing—just like they are—to use a woman for your own selfish desires.”

Luca leaned forward a little with a smirk. “Believe me; she didn’t look like she was complaining at the time. I think she got what she wanted out of it, also.”

I cringed when he said this. I’m not sure why, but it hurt.

Luca could see I didn’t like what he had said. “I didn’t mean to upset you; I was just proving a point.”

I tried to stiffen my posture a bit and raise my head. “I’m not upset. Who you sleep with is your business, not mine.”

Luca sighed with a shake of his head. “I’m a little disappointed by that.”

I placed my fork down. “Why?”

He looked me straight in the eye. “Because you’re lying to me, and I could never see you as a liar.”

I shuffled in my chair a little and took another sip of my drink. “You know nothing about me.”

“Clara Murphy, born twenty-fifth of June nineteen-eighty-seven, in Balham, London. You were the only child to Michael and Stephanie Murphy. Michael is a vicar, and Stephanie is a homemaker. Both go to church every Sunday and have not heard from their only daughter in ten years.”

Rising from my chair, I raced to the window. I didn’t like that I knew so little about him, and yet he seemed to know so much about me.

Within a few seconds, I felt his hands on my arms as he spun me around to face him. “You know so much.”

He looked sincere, like he cared. “Why do you hide from your parents? Is it because of what you do here?”

I could feel the tears well at the unwanted memories. “I don’t want to talk about them.” My tone of voice must have hit him as he said no more on the matter. Instead, he surprised me.

“My name is Luca Belatoni. I was born fifteenth of May nineteen eighty-three to Marcelo Belatoni and Sophia. I was the eldest boy of three who all live in Italy. I came to England when I was a boy and stayed with my uncle while I studied in school. I then lived in New Jersey for a while until the call to come back here pulled me. I came, and many others have followed. Some others have joined the clan recently within the last year. I have many loyal men, and business for me is flourishing. I am not committed, nor do I have any children. I take protection very seriously and have never been without a condom. When I have children, I want to make sure it’s on my terms.”

I started laughing at that one. “Why does everything have to be on
your
terms? Having children is a decision that both partners involved should make. It’s not for you alone to decide. One partner can’t just click his fingers to immediately get whatever he wants.”

Luca pulled me to him, causing my body to melt at his touch. “I thought I already told you that I’m a man who always gets what he wants.” I started giggling. “What’s so funny?”

“You may think you’re a force to be reckoned with, but so am I. I don’t respond well to selfish, demanding behaviour.”

“So you keep saying. It still doesn’t change the fact.” He started stroking my hair, and I sighed into his shoulder as he pulled me in. For a moment, I was lost in his embrace. Despite how much I hated this man, he always seemed to have me at a loss.

“Come, let us finish our meals.” He took my hand and led me back to the table.

Pulling out my chair, he made sure I was comfortable before taking his own seat. It was in that moment that I realised I was in big trouble. Not because I had a dangerous man who could have me disappear with a quick click of his fingers. It was because he threatened to weaken my resolve. Just looking at him made me weak in the knees. I knew why he got what he wanted; not only was he a powerful man, but he was also the epitome of perfection. The way he stood so tall and commanding. The way he walked. The way he breathed. The way his hard muscles twitched underneath my small hands had the hairs rising and my body quivering. Sitting there, I just couldn’t seem to pry my eyes away from him.

“Clara, what have I told you about looking at me like that?”

“Like what?” I asked, shaking my head a little.

“Like you want me to pick you up out of your seat, take you to your bed, and have me make love to you until you can’t breathe anymore.”

A breathless sigh escaped me. “If you can see that, then why don’t you?” I smiled and sucked a piece of spaghetti up slowly through my lips. I had to pat myself on the back for the nice sucking sound I made after it disappeared into my mouth.

“Has anyone ever told you that you scream to be touched?”

I shook my head. “Nope. I can’t recall anyone saying that. I’ve been told I have fabulous legs and great tits, but that’s about it. Oh, and sometimes I’ve had a comment or two about my lips.”

“Yes?”

I nodded. “Apparently, I have blow-job lips. Men have begged me for them in the past.”

I could hear the slight growl emanating from deep within his magnificent chest. He was looking a little angry now, and that was just how I liked it.

“Those lips are not to go near another man’s anatomy.”

I started laughing. His jealous outbursts were becoming quite comical to me now. “Okay, tiger. Stand down.”

He looked at me for a moment and then laughed. “I think I would prefer lion to a tiger. You could be my lioness.”

“Why, thank you,” I said sarcastically. “How honoured am I?”

“Don’t be flippant, Miss Murphy.”

“Why not, Mr. Belatoni? Am I being naughty? Do you want to put me over your knee and spank my bottom?”

He growled again. This was such fun. “It’s not going to work, you know.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know what you mean.”

I was about to take this further but then a knock at the door interrupted me.

Bollocks!

I was about to seduce Luca and seduce him good. I should be running away from him, but now that he was restricting me, I suddenly wanted him all the more. Maybe he was doing this all on purpose.

Opening the door, Luca found an embarrassed Tony. “Sorry to disturb you, boss, but I just need to speak with you for a few minutes.”

Luca huffed. “Very well.” He turned towards me. “Apologies, Miss Murphy. I shall be back soon.”

As soon as he was out the door, I ran to the drawer to get my walkie-talkie. I switched it on and immediately began whispering through it. “Hello… Hello… Is anybody there?”

It went silent for a few seconds and then came a voice. “Clara, thank God! We’ve all been sitting ducks worried about you. What the hell’s going on?”