CASSIAN
After the party, I'd asked Nico to get me everything he could find on Ayla Thorne.
I'd seen the way the heads of male guests swirled in her direction. As much as I hated to admit, she was a damn pretty thing.
I looked through the information Nico had sent me on Ayla. And there was nothing special.
Twenty two.
College debts.
Works part-time at a coffee shop.
No boyfriend.
No record of social media life.
Raised by a single parent—Nico didn't check on who the parent was.
I swished my fingers through my hair, gently tapping a finger on her face on the screen.
Images of her body flitted unconsciously through my thoughts. I'd seen more women with plastic skin and tits but this one, she was a natural.
And that spark in her eyes found a way somehow to burn through every pore on my skin and straight to my groin.
Jesus!
A wave of awareness had run down my spine when her gaze settled on me from across the table that night; a warm and annoying consciousness on the side of my face which I was to ignore, but had found myself glancing at her anyway.
The back of my neck had itched foolishly, yet I had held her stare until someone had bumped into her.
Had she been one of those girls to throw themselves at me in the past?
The more I thought about it, the more it felt like I was trying to fracture a stitched memory.
I was bloody good with faces. If I'd seen her before, I needed to remember.
My phone rang.
"We can't find any footage from the building three years ago. It's all cleared." the voice from the other line said immediately the line connected.
My brow rose and fell lazily.
"I need more information on that truck driver."
"I'm not sure how but we'll see what we can get." Nico said before the line went dead.
My thoughts crawled back to Ayla. Something about her seemed to get under my skin and I hated it as much as it amused me.
As if I could read Lani's mind, she'd fucking asked Mrs Vine to take Ayla's name off the list of kitchen staff.
I wanted her where I could watch her. A part of me just wanted her close. Maybe she was one of the ladies I'd seen in the club. I knew a badass when I met one and Ayla Thorne's facàde didn't fool me.
————
Nico walked in behind me as we made our way to Dante's study.
Zach Vellani who was seated opposite father stood, a tumbler of whiskey in his hand, Karen Vellani stood quietly from the large sofa, those large brown ones fixed on the floor.
"Look who's finally here…Cassian my boy."
The hell with the boy! I was fucking twenty-nine.
My father was trying to rub it in my face that he'd fucking molded me. More than anything the Cosa Nostra had done, he'd played the major part.
"Father," I nodded, stepping closer, then my eyes narrowed slightly before glancing at the space between the study and the large portrait of the sea.
Red liquid stained the floor—there was someone inside the torture chamber.
My gaze shifted to Zach Vellani, after a heavy eye contact, we shook hands, exchanged nods and sat down.
I didn't turn to acknowledge Karen or Lorenzo; for all I cared, they were just two leaves blowing by.
Don Dante didn't waste any minute. He began explaining why this alliance was a good fit for MGD.
Karen Vellani looked loyal—perfect for the face of a Capo's wife— but certainly not my type.
However, I wasn't going to disrespect my father by calling off this alliance right here. We would talk about it later.
Karen Vellani had warmed my bed many times in the past, and recently, I'd caught wind of some fucking dance trainer she was seeing. I knew her father knew nothing about this because he was suddenly talking about her virginity.
How stupid!
As the new president of MGD and Capo in Lake Como, it would be an insult to my reputation to allow Karen be my wife. With the way she avoided my gaze, she'd probably fucked the dance trainer.
"We can make the preparations and have everything set for July." Zach Vellani said,
"July's too soon. We could have the engagement done by then. But I think Karen and I need some time before the marriage." I said, firmly.
Don Dante cleared his throat, "you can get to know yourselves later. I need a future heir as soon as possible."
Zach Vellani nodded in agreement.
"There's a clause within the contract that says even a proof of alliance would be accepted. I believe an engagement is enough proof there'll be a future heir…"
Lorenzo Vellani cut me off. "Or you're planning to use my sister as bait to get your position as president and then you call off the engagement."
Well I was planning on that but who the hell gave the bloody idiot the right to talk when I was talking?
Dante's eyes narrowed at me.
I shot Lorenzo a glare. "Next time, don't fucking cut me off when I'm talking."
If it weren't for Karen, I'd have Luca drill a hole into that baby face of his.
I turned to my father who looked too satisfied with my reaction. "I guess we're done here."
I stood up and walked out of the room.
_____
The drive to C-M didn't take long. I'd ordered Elena, the secretary at C-M holdings to take down a list of old applicants in the last two years and pick the worst applicant as a personal secretary for me—If you ever want to control people, go for those desperate for your help.
I came in through the executive door, as Elena appeared beside me.
"Update." I ordered
"Ayla Thorne. Worst applicant but looks reserved. No social media history or handle. Applied several times two years ago."
I paused. "Name?"
I saw panic in Elena's eyes as if she'd committed treason.
"Ayla Thorne." She repeated, almost breathless.
I stifled a smile. "Did you send an email for an interview?"
"Yes, Sir. She's in…"
"Send her in." I muttered and continued towards my office.
———
Ayla blinked like she'd seen a ghost, pulled out her phone briefly, then glanced back at me.
For some reason, I actually enjoyed watching the red-hair prima donna show some fear.
I pulled a file from the table, glanced at the passport attached and a dark feeling crawled up my skin again.
"Name?" I asked as my eyes skimmed up an inch.
A slight hesitation like she was considering walking away or sitting her fat ass down.
"Ayla Thorne…"
I repeated the name, grabbed the tumbler from the table and gulped down the blue liquid inside.
"You're not qualified for the position."
Something in her expression shifted. Audacity mingled with uncertainty.
"I was sent an e-mail…"
I rubbed a finger on my lips, "I don't care if you got a letter, a mail or a fucking fax. You're not qualified for the position."
She held my gaze like it was a competition she was bent on winning. "Then why am I here?"
I dragged in air slowly. She intrigued me; that boldness,that audacity and quiet fire…all of it made her an interesting prey to watch—the kind you saw on NatGeoWild that held the eagle's focus for long before it aimed at it.
"Probably a mistake. You're not fit for any role in this company." I said almost bored,
She looked at me like I was the devil and for some fucking reason, that bothered me.
"Very well, then. I'll take my leave." She said, already standing, giving me a once-over that looked challenging.
No woman, I repeat, no woman, has ever looked at me with such boldness and…blatant distaste mixed in disrespect.
I could have laughed it off for some reasons unknown to even myself. I didn't and it slightly pissed me off.
"Sit!" I ordered, fighting the urge to fucking have her seated.
Nico and Luca appeared at the door.
She stepped back, turned around, cast me another malicious glare and sat down.
"Good girl." I smirked, "Now that I have your attention, I have a proposition for you."