Standing in my office in front of the floor-to-ceiling, one-way mirror window, I look down at my club and watch everyone dance, their bodies swaying the seductive dance I see every night. It’s always the same. Women dressed in expensive clothing looking for their next victim. Men looking for someone to take home, just for the night.

Jimmy, my cousin, walks in with two women, one hand on each of their lower backs. One of them I recognize; she comes with him often. But the other one . . . I narrow my eyes and wonder why Gino let her in. I tug on the cuff of my suit, annoyed, as I watch the three of them take a seat around the small round table.

As much as having someone dressed like her in my club irks me, I can’t look away. Her hair shimmers under the flashing lights, and I wonder if she’s a true blonde. She coughs when she drinks her shot, which elicits a tight-lipped smile from my lips. Her actions intrigue me more. The more I watch, the more I know she is innocent, not used to the club scene. Why is she here? Why is Jimmy with her?

I raise my right hand and snap my fingers.

Tony steps forward. “Yes, boss?”

Without looking at him, not wanting to tear my eyes from the woman, I say, “Get Jimmy. Bring him to me.”

“Yes, boss.”

Jimmy and I have history, and as I watch his expression change when Tony whispers in his ear, my lips twitch. I know Jimmy doesn’t care for me, not after I took over the club. Jealousy runs deep, even if he doesn’t admit it.

I hear them walk in, but I don’t turn around. Not yet. I just stare at the blonde sitting at the table. When the drunk guy staggers in her direction, my eyes narrow on his hand as he pulls her to her feet and drags her to the dance floor. My fist clenches tight, but she keeps her distance, and when the song ends, she bolts back to the table. Inside, I relax and focus on the others inside my office.

 Silence fills the room. I can feel Jimmy standing behind me, his gaze burning a hole in my back, but I never turn his way.

I wait.

After a few moments of causing uncomfortable silence, I slowly turn and face my irritated cousin.

“Jimmy.” I give him a slight nod, finally acknowledging his presence.

No smile, no warmth in his voice when he says tight-lipped, “Luca, you wanted to see me?”

One side of my lips tips upward, barely. I can see that he still has hard feelings, even though his fight is not with me. It is rumored that my grandfather cheated Jimmy’s father out of his inheritance. Something about Jimmy’s dad being a bastard son, born to the beautiful Latina down the street. Oh, Grandfather was still married at the time, and there lies the problem, the reason for his jealousy and bitterness. Hard feelings run deep between our families.

“Who is the blonde with you?”

Jimmy folds his arms across his chest and takes a defiant stance. I know he doesn’t want to tell me; he doesn’t like me meddling in his business. But he still enjoys the benefits of my club, which I allow. For now.

“Just someone I work with.”

“Someone special to you?”

Jimmy narrows his eyes at me before he speaks. Cautiously and slowly he says, “She’s a friend—-a good friend—-so leave her alone, Luca.”

We square off. “I want to meet her.” I cross my arms, set my jaw, and stare at Jimmy. What I want, I get. He knows that.

Jimmy shrugs. “Then go meet her. I don’t want any part of this.”

The tension thickens. There is nothing more to say between the two of us so we just stand there staring, neither willing to look away first. It is clear he won’t help me. He won’t bring her to me.

“Fine. You go have fun and enjoy my club.”

Jimmy’s eyebrows pull close together as he shoots me a death glare. Defiance is not tolerated in my circle, but he is family and he knows he can get away with it. For now.

I turn my back on him, and then hear his retreating steps fade as I stare down at the blonde-haired beauty. I will know her. I will know everything about her, and before I’m finished I will know every inch of her delicate body.

I watch her for a minute longer before deciding to get a closer look. I snap my fingers again.

“Yes, boss?”

“I’ll be right back. Stay here.”

“Yes, boss.”

Tony steps to the side and laces his fingers behind his back. I walk past him to the end of the hall, take the steps down, and head to the main floor. With my arms folded across my chest, my left hip resting against the wall, I have a clear view of the woman sitting at the table with Jimmy.

She doesn’t belong here, that’s easy to see. Her face is too innocent, too delicate. She looks uneasy and out of place with her ordinary clothes and soft features. But it only adds to her beauty, her natural charm. I can use many different words to describe her.

Radiant.

Refreshing.

Beautiful.

Uniquely different.

And I want her . . .

She knows I’m watching. I can see her uneasiness as she searches the room with her beautiful eyes. When they lock with mine, my cock hardens instantly.

I watch her for a minute longer before heading back upstairs to the safety of my office. I run a legal club . . . mostly . . . but there are some who would love to do me in, put me out of business, and watch me fail. That’s why I have Tony, who’s normally always with me. My protector. My bodyguard.

Back in my office, I walk straight to the window and peer back down at the blonde beauty. It’s unexpected when I see her stand, clutch her bag, and wave goodbye. My pulse races at the thought of never seeing her again.

I snap my fingers. “Tony, have someone follow her. I want to know everything there is to know about her. Her name, where she lives, where she works, everything.”

“Yes, sir.” I hear Tony leave as I watch the lovely lady head to the front door of the club, and then out of sight.