His Dirty Bargain (Dirty Billionaires 3)

I shrug. I don’t need the woman to like me, I need her to do her job. It would be a simple transaction: she gives me some places that meet my needs, I pick the best one for me then we go on our way. Simple and easy, and if she’s half as good as Dante says she is she’ll keep it that way.

2

Chloe

I can’t hold in my yawn. This is what I get for staying up late reading, again. My sleep schedule is constantly messed up from late nights reading, getting only five, maybe six hours of sleep, until my body demands sleep at eight o’clock then I’m up at four in the morning. Right now I’m in a particularly bad cycle, and even though it’s only Tuesday I’m already exhausted. My double shot latte I brought from home, after having my usual morning shot of espresso, isn’t really helping, but I’m not willing to give up and take another sip. With a last check for typos I call it good and send my email to Dante, letting him know I finished with my last client. We were in the office until almost nine last night nailing down the purchase, it was worth it. After everything was settled, he let me know he will be back when his daughter finishes school in Europe in a month to buy her a condo. Repeat business is the best business.

A glance at the clock tells me it’s a little after ten thirty, so Dante should be here. I get a response to my email asking me to come to his office. I grab the report I finished last night, which is how I got my reward of reading a new book from my favorite author. Rewards were necessary, as the report was boring and time-consuming. As the quarter just ended it was a review of how our agents are performing for the quarter, properties sold and signed on to sell. It takes forever; I’m sure that’s why it was the first report Dante gave me to do when he made me vice-president of residential sales.

My back goes a little straighter. Two years later, my title still fills me with pride. Even as I miss a step when I remember my longtime dream has taken a backseat, considering how happy I’ve been. It’s not as if I’ve stopped working toward it or saving money toward it, it’s simply not something I have focused on. I can’t even remember how long it’s been since I searched properties fitting what I wanted. A multifamily property where the income gave me the independence I longed for, an eight to fifteen-unit property not too big or too small. It was the plan as I went through college and during my first few years working for Sabatini Real Estate. I was lucky to get hired to work in property management as a lowly admin. It was where I started but I was determined to go further, and I was promoted again and again until I took the jump to become a real estate agent.

Real estate agents foam at the mouth to work here; I was honored I was given the chance to even be considered. Even though I only get half of the seven percent commission, agents starting received a salary starting at sixty grand a year with benefits that included paid time off and maternity leave and health insurance. There is also a whole department devoted to marketing, as the Sabatinis believe agents should only have to worry about one thing, and that is selling. Even before I was made vice-president I loved everything about what I did every day. In the last two years I had the kind of independence and support and salary I never thought I would have. When the reality was already so awesome, the dream faded a little.

Gretchen, Dante’s assistant, smiles when she sees me. “Go on in.”

“Where’s Hannah?” Hannah is Cesare’s assistant, she’s been here since the beginning of the company. It’s rare for her not to be at her desk in front of Cesare’s office, even though Cesare works from home most days.

“Her grandbaby is sick.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, just an ear infection.”

I open the door to Dante’s office, where he’s highlighting a pregnancy and childbirth book. Seeing him practically giddy at becoming a first-time dad is adorable. I love how completely unashamed he is in his excitement. “How is Bethany doing?”

He pulls a face that doesn’t take away from his ridiculously good looks as he leans back, then motions for me to sit. “Cranky, I’m glad she stopped working. She was too in the beginning, but as things get harder for her to do she hates not being busy.”

I sink into one of the plush chairs in front of his desk as I slide the report across the desk to him. “You can’t have her help out Alicia with the foundation? Doesn’t Alicia need help with both Matteo and Sophia mobile and her pregnant again?”

“Hmm...I’ll talk to Che and see. Thanks for the suggestion and the report. The report isn’t why I asked you into my office, though.”

“What’s up?” He’s tense, Dante isn’t one to get tense. He’s charming, easygoing, and loves to laugh.

“It’s about my brother Enzo. I can’t remember, have you met him?”

I’ve seen pictures in the paper and on the internet. Although he often comes up to Cesare’s and Dante’s offices, I’ve never run into him. The rumors are he’s even more intimidating than Cesare, which I find hard to believe. Cesare, the oldest Sabatini brother, is coldblooded, ruthless, and I don’t think I’d seen him smile more than a handful of times in the years I’ve worked for him until he met his wife. I had hoped never to find out how someone could possibly be more intimidating than Cesare; but from the look on Dante’s face, I’m going to find out. “No, never met him.”

“His divorce finally got the sign-off. Which means he can move out of where he’s been living, he hates it. He only stayed to prevent his ex from getting the condo in the divorce. I’m going to warn you now, Enzo is...” He runs a hand over his face. “The whole marriage and divorce, it changed him. He’s never been the loosest guy in the room; I blame his eight years in the Army with five of them spent in the Rangers. I don’t think he’s ever lost the soldier mentality. Only now it’s like he’s trying to be an asshole, to push people away. I want to apologize beforehand and warn you before I send you to help him find a new home. Assume nothing and take nothing for granted, go in like he’s a new client you’re trying to land.”

The idea of working with Enzo Sabatini causes my stomach to dip in apprehension. Which is odd, I work with asshole millionaires on an everyday basis. Then again, Enzo Sabatini is a billionaire, a few times over. Or it could be because he’s the brother of my bosses. It can’t be his reputation, I don’t scare easily. “I can handle him. It’s not a big deal, at least you’re giving me a warning. He doesn’t sound any different than half of our clients.”

“I knew you’d be able to handle him. He’s got time for you at three this afternoon.”

“Three it is. Can you send me his current address? I want to take a look at it.”

“Sure, I’ll email it to you, but do not go off it in your search. Sheila picked it out then decorated it in all white, gold, and marble, making it as warm as a surgical room.”

Another case of a man using the wrong head to make a real estate purchase. “The things men do for a pretty woman.”

His head

tilts. “Do you not know why he married Sheila? I guess I assumed since it’s been in the fucking gossip columns, most people knew.”

I shake my head. “I don’t pay attention to gossip.”

“Enzo only married her because he wanted kids. I blame Matteo, the kid was freaking adorable and sweet from the moment he was born. After a while, Enzo wanted a few too. It was written into their prenup three kids within the first seven years of their marriage. He didn’t love her, I’m pretty sure he didn’t want to. Only two months in, he figures out something wasn’t right. Turns out she was fucking around, and before they got married she had an implant put in to prevent pregnancy. Sheila was after his money, not a marriage. Even though they had an iron-clad prenup she’s been fighting it, trying to get more.”

Wow, just wow. “What a control freak. Does he like hate women or something?” Crap, I said that out loud.