Page 23 of Brutal Revenge

While remaining as quiet as a church mouse, her eyes fire with stubborn determination. Not going to lie, her take-no-shit attitude has me the hardest I’ve ever been.

Living in the fast lane is only exciting when there’s a prospect of crashing.

I’ve not faced a single hairpin in years.

Personally, an easy, simple existence is boring as fuck.

Believing our conversation has hit a stalemate, Giovanni intervenes. “You want to win Antonio back?”

Without removing her eyes from mine, Azra answers, “Yes.”

“And you think pretending you want to marry Matteo will do that?”

“Yes,” she answers again.

Fighting not to put my fist through a wall, I inch back. I’ve been called many things, but stupid will never be one of them.

Only a schmuck would sign up to be used and abused in full sight of their nemesis.

“You’re insane if you think I’ll do this.”

“You don’t have a choice,” Azra says, stepping up to me without fear. “You either play along or fork over one hundred million to get rid of me. Which is it?”

She tries to hide her hurt when I snap out again, “Cash or check?” but I still see it.

“Matteo,” Giovanni murmurs, certain I’m digging a hole I’ll never get out of. I have plenty of money, more than I’ll ever need, but thatwon’t be the case if I keep making stupid business decisions like this. “Take emotions out of this. It’s a week, two at most. I’m sure you’ve survived worse.”

I dart my narrowed eyes to him. “You’re taking her side? Who the fuck are you?”

“I’m not taking sides. I just think you’re letting emotions?—”

I cut him off with apfft. “This isn’t about emotions.”

“Then why won’t you do it?” Azra once again plays me at my own game. “If you don’t care what happens to me, why won’t you do this one thing?”

I’m ashamed of how long I take to come up with a reply, and it’s weak.

“Because what am I getting out of this? You get douchebag Antonio, and I get…?”

When my teeth graze my lower lip, incapable of acting nonchalant to the heat creeping up her neck, she shoves her hand into my face, then walks around Giovanni’s desk to place a bulky slab of mahogany between us.

“No chance. You left me hanging once. I refuse to sign up again.”

“Then I’m not interested.” I knew she wouldn’t prostitute herself out. That’s why I backed her into that corner. It’s either force her to give up in defeat, or admit I might be a schmuck for the right delicious-smelling cunt and pretty face. It will take more than a blowjob for me to fall to my knees. “Have a nice life.”

As I turn to leave, the door shoots open and my father enters. The temperature in the room immediately drops for the man who knows the world bends around him. He retired when our mother passed away, but he remains a much-loved and respected figure in our industry. I’d rather fall on my knife than ever disappoint him.

Papa’s gaze lands on me first, eyes filled with something colder than the years of understanding they’ve always shown me.

“Matteo,” he says, voice low. “A word.”

When I follow him to the far corner of Giovanni’s office, hedoesn’t waste any time. “You traded your reputation to secure this girl’s freedom, so now you must honor the cost.”

I grit my teeth. “You can’t be serious.”

“You removed his hand, Matteo. His fucking hand.”

“That is unrelated to this.” I thrust my hand to Azra during my last word. She stands quietly at the side, her posture a mix of fear and reverence. “It was a necessary?—”