She tilted her head to the side to look at him.
“You’re a beautiful woman and I can tell you’re not part of this crowd.”
Her clothes were all from a thrift shop. Jeans and a tight shirt with a plunging neckline that showed a lot, and she really meant a lot, of cleavage.
“This place is bad for a woman like you.”
“How about you start serving drinks and you stop telling women what they should do?”
The harsh, commanding voice made her freeze to the spot. The man who’d spoken stood really close behind her. The temptation to turn around and to see him was strong, but she didn’t do it. Instead, she lifted her glass to her lips.
“I’m sorry, sir.” The bartender stepped away as the large man came close to her—and she knew he was massive just from how close he stood.
“Your job is to serve, not to harass the customers.”
“Sorry about that,” the bartender said.
She turned her head and got a good look at the man who’d sent her company away. Tall, strong, and muscular. Even in the suit, she could tell he was thick with muscles. The cuff of his suit jacket was rolled up and she caught sight of some ink around his wrists. Short black hair, blue eyes, and at his neckline, more ink was visible. The lighting was low so she couldn’t quite see anything else.
“It’s fine. I don’t mind. He was keeping me company and telling me the truth.”
“Men don’t tell the truth.”
“Oh, I know, believe me. You don’t need to warn me against men.” She finished off the shot and felt a nice little buzz.
“You’re here because of a bad breakup?”
She burst out laughing. “Hell, no. I’m in the clear of all men and have been for a couple of years now.” She inwardly cringed at her own admission. Great, just go tell a sexy stranger I haven’t had sex in years. “This is losing not one, not two, but three jobs. Oh, yeah, this is me having some fun with losing jobs.” She no longer had any more liquor and put the glass down, spinning in her seat to look out at the dance floor.
“I saw you dancing with her.”
“Yeah, she’s a friend. We’re close.”
“Are you together?”
“No. We’re friends. She likes to play hard to get for the guy so he’ll make the first move. She’s done it a couple of times.”
“What’s your name?” he asked.
She turned to look at him and shook her head.
“You’re not going to tell me?” he asked.
“I don’t need to tell you.” She stretched her neck from side to side, feeling the tension leaving her body.
“True.”
The tone of his voice drew her attention and she laughed. “You’re not used to getting what you want, are you?”
“What makes you say that?”
“I can get a good read on people, believe me. I know you think I’m an easy target. Sad little chubby girl, alone at the bar. She’s not even dancing with her friends. You saw me as easy.”
He didn’t say anything for a couple of minutes.
“I can have every single woman in this room, your friend included, on their knees worshipping my cock with a simple snap of my fingers. I don’t prey on vulnerable women.” His voice was dark as he’d dropped it a couple of octaves, so it was just the two of them.
She didn’t know how he did it, but he made her believe they were the only two people in the room. Licking her dry lips, she stared at him.
“I came to the bar because you stand out. You’re not here for a quick, easy fuck. You’re a beautiful woman who I want in my bed. I watched you because I want to know if your pussy is as sweet as your face.”
“You were watching me?”
“From the moment you walked through the door. I knew you were going to be mine.”
****
Antonio Rosso watched the young woman as her cheeks bloomed. She didn’t need to tell him her name; he’d find it out eventually. No one in this town would ever be a stranger for long. She sat in Giavanni’s, all innocence and sweetness. Her friend was a regular. Casey was a little troublemaker and he was surprised she had a friend he or the crew didn’t know about.
Giavanni’s always made sure they knew the wealthy patrons who used their clubs or establishments. He was one of their most trusted soldiers, an enforcer. He wasn’t a capo or an underboss. No, he was the person they called when they wanted to hurt people. His specialty was tracking people down, killing them, and making sure they hurt every single second they were in his company. He’d worked his way up the Family from soldier to guard, to where he was today. Needed, respected, and even feared. This was who he was.