Chapter 20

Alexi lets me go and walks around me into the open area of his desk to where his seat is and carries on looking in a drawer for something. ‘’You have skills, London, use them. Make him think you possibly would behind my back, but not enough that he thinks you will. He knows better than to cross me in that way and you are well versed in the wiles of the fairer sex. You drop practised mannerisms constantly and live on your looks, so I’m sure you can handle it. Sex is one of your little games and mediocre men don’t know any better.’’

Fuck off, wanker!

I hate that he can deliver a put down with incredible ease and a smug look.

‘’So I am to play adoring squeeze but give the man the eyeful and tease. Manipulation at its finest; I guess he’s a man who can be swayed by his dick otherwise you wouldn’t be taking me tonight, right?’’

‘’You catch on quick. He’s a contender for the next mayor of New York, high in the right places and influential. He has a thing for redheads and has a sexless marriage that makes him an easy target for seduction. While you’re distracting him with your assets, I’ll be manoeuvring some favours he won’t even realise he’s agreeing to.’’ Alexi straightens once more and pulls out a file from the desk and slaps it on top. I can see from here it’s something to do with property and I guess he needs licenses or other nonsense for another purchase. Alexi has his fingers in many pies and I cannot keep up with his multiple wheeling and dealing at all hours of every day.

His phone never stops vibrating and Mico, his very similar looking cousin and constant sidekick, is as much a personal assistant as he is his head of security. He flanks him almost constantly.

I have learned in the past month that most of the business Carrero oversees is surface legitimate. The dodgy dealings going on in the shadows and if you didn’t know any better you would mistakenly think he was just another rich entrepreneur with his hand in a lot of gold pots in this city. I happen to know differently though and overheard one of his millions of black suits that follow him around talking about a weapon shipment in his office last week. Alexi confirmed a shipment at the docks, and I know he has enough narcotic product in the USA already to pave his properties with gold should he want to. I cannot even begin to estimate his net worth or that of the family he heads.

I know that he’s just the front man and many Carreros are interlaced in this empire, each with their personal dealings and businesses that make up the family fortune. Alexi is their nominated leader, so makes all the big decisions while referring to his board of advisors— uncles, father and grandfather apparently. They sit in darkened shadows and help him rule from afar. They are not a family you want to annoy, but they are impressively organised and work almost seamlessly. I have no desire to know what shit he has going on outside of the job he put me here for.

The less I know, the better. If I ever want a chance in hell of breaking free from his reign over me, then I will keep my knowledge scant. The thought of being tied to this jackass for a lifetime is soul-destroying. I am so over how hot he is on the outside when on the inside a soul-sucking demon resides and peeks out at you wickedly.

‘’I’ll push up my boobs and choose a suitable prick tease of an outfit.’’ I pick up the card and slide it into my cleavage with a naughty little smile. Always excited to have a shopping spree.

Today’s dress offers a little ogle but it’s long and fitted as I’m a believer of having one peek at a time, and Alexi is more of a leg man. I have an ample bust, and he has never really gazed that way with any real interest for any length of time. Some men like legs, some like arse and most like boobs, but Alexi seems to change his mind based on the weather and today is not a cleavage day for him. Even with it right there for a free look. He barely glances at my girls.

‘’Classy. Opera … Go for something that’s not black so you stand out among all the tuxedos and demure mistresses. I want him to notice you first, put your hair up, you look more knock out with it that way and go easy on the makeup.’’

What the actual fuck?

I know he’s a controlling bastard but actually telling me how to look tonight takes the goddamn piss.

I don’t think so.

He has a knack for igniting that bubbling pit of lava deep inside of me that sparks my temper, biting my lip to stop the instant knee-jerk reaction to tell him to fuck off I try for a straight face.

‘‘I am capable of making those kinds of decisions. I’m sure I don’t need direction on how to dress or make myself presentable.’’ I let that blatant disdain loose in my tone, despite my calm demeanour, and he freezes slightly; pausing as he flicks through his file. His body just seems to get a whole lot more aggressive without doing very much at all.

One thing I have learned is how much he hates it when he is questioned or disobeyed, and I am well versed in doing both.

‘‘If I have to pick the dress and put it on you while having one of the bar girls get you ready, I will. I’m telling you how I want you to look so that’s what I expect when you walk down here at seven.’’