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We reach the car, and I conveniently forget to wipe my feet as I climb into the passenger side again. Michael clicks his tongue, and I know I’ve pissed him off. I don’t really care, and I dread this marriage even more. God, they’re going to expect me to sleep with him and give him children. Fuck that.

Andrea needs to come up with a better plan.

We drive home, but as we’re a few blocks away, Michael pulls into a dark side street and stops the car. I look at him with a curious frown.

“This isn’t where I live,” I comment as though he’s an idiot.

“I know,” he waves off my comment. “I’m happy you’re going to be mine. We should have our wedding soon. I really think you’re pretty.”

Pretty. Fuck you, dude. I’m gorgeous.

Before I can react, Michael leans in and forces a kiss onto my lips, then raises a hand and gropes my breast. My temper flares and I grab his hand and twist his fingers back, which makes him scream like a girl.

CHAPTER FIVE

MATTEO

Iget into the car and look at Bruno and Cosimo with a smile. “This is going to be easy,” I say.

Bruno chuckles. “Never say that. It always complicates things.”

Cosimo keeps quiet, but he has a smirk playing on his lips.

The driver pulls off, and I look at Bruno. “The Magic City Casino is only one of three that I want to buy,” I comment. “But it’s imperative that we get it.”

Bruno nods. “We’ll get it, don’t worry. I’ve freed up enough funds to make a sizeable, hard-to-ignore offer.”

“Do you think many people will attend?” Cosimo asks.

“I think it’s a private event with few vetted guests. It will be interesting to see who we’re up against,” I say, looking out of the window.

Cosimo snorts. “No one is a match for us.”

“There are some exceptions,” I murmur.

“You’re worried about the Bianchis. How could they possibly afford to buy The Magic City Casino? They’d have to liquidate all their assets,” Bruno comments as he looks at his cellphone.

I take my own phone out and peruse my emails, my mind straying back to the girl at the mention of her family. “Never underestimate your enemies, Bruno,” I remind him as I tuck my cellphone back into my jacket.

When I get out of the car, I button up my suit jacket as do my brothers and we head toward the entrance of the casino. At the door, we are checked for ID and our invitations, and once we’re confirmed to be on the list, we’re let through.

I look around as we walk. The casino could use a little update in décor, which will cost money, but nothing I’m not prepared to pay to attract business.

The invitation said it comes with everything inside, and I see Bruno making notes on his phone as he looks around. We’re led to the center of the casino floor where two other families stand.

I’m not familiar with them, but one looks Russian and another Irish. I’m surprised at their presence, but a noise behind me makes me turn around to see Andrea walk in with what I presume are two of his brothers. It’s my turn to be surprised.

Bruno leans over to me. “Maybe they did liquidate all their assets?”

“How else can they afford to be here?” I whisper, watching Andrea, who has a shit-eating grin plastered on his face. I don’t like it; he’s up to something.

Cosimo watches silently from my right.

A moment later, Juliano Russo and his son walk in and head straight to the Bianchis, and then it hits me: they’re joining forces. The Russos would have enough money to make a bid, especially combined with the Bianchis.

“Why are they buddy-buddy?” Cosimo mumbles next to me.

I shake my head. “I don’t know.” I keep my voice low. “I don’t know what could possibly let someone as cutthroat as Russo join forces with Bianchi.”