Chapter 4 Irresistible Lies

DANTE

"So," I purred. "How does it taste?"

Georgia Mancini sniffed, shook the wine glass, and drank from it. She made a clicking sound with her tongue that nearly made me want to roll my eyes.

"Hmm, blackberry, a bit of grape." Georgia mused. "That's six grand over my usual rate. Tell me Spinelli, why should I keep doing business with you?"

I smirked, scanning the guests in the hall at her open house. "Times have changed; my suppliers enjoyed dealing with my father. It's not the same treatment for me."

Georgia shook her head. "Could it be that Giovanni had better charm? He could tell me to jump off a bridge, and I'd happily do it."

I glared at her. "Would you?"

She nodded. "If the bridge was on fire and he knew it would save my life, yes."

Ridiculous.

"Georgia, you should know luxury comes at a high price." I said.

Her eyes flashed. "Just because I can afford it doesn't mean I should. Maybe you need to be a little friendlier..." She drew a finger down my chest and paused barely above my groin. "A smile might convince me not to take my business elsewhere."

I smiled, not willingly, but because of the gold band on Georgia's finger, and glanced over at her husband in the middle of a chat with friends.

What a sucker! I thought.

"Anyway," Georgia winked, walking away as she called. "Enjoy the show."

A strange pang of guilt hung in my throat for a moment, then the lights dimmed. Sensual music filled the air as curtains parted; four masked women began to dance in rhythm as everyone applauded.

"It's the Vixens!" Someone called.

"So beautiful!" Another said.

I ignored the rest and looked at Sierra. The way her curves moved beneath her outfit and how our eyes instantly connected, heat rose in my crotch. She must have noticed me in the crowd because she winked.

An idiot next to me catcalled her. "Hey, Serena, take your bra off!"

I grabbed his shirt; his eyes widened in horror as I glared at him. "What was that?!" I growled.

The idiot suddenly smiled. "Hey, relax, buddy, she isn't going to let either of us screw her."

"How about I break your..." I paused, noticing people were looking at us.

Disgust filled my stomach; I let him go, and I stalked away from there.

What's wrong with me?

No, if I had to have a woman, no man would ever do that to her. I could get a date anytime I wanted, so why did she get under my skin like this?

I sat at the bar drinking alone until the dance was over. Then I felt someone come up behind me. Flinching, I reached for the gun inside my jacket.

"You're upset tonight." Sierra whispered into my ear.

Exhaling hard, I turned to see her slide on a stool next to me.

"You know I almost-" I stopped. No use announcing I had a weapon.

Sierra lifted a brow, waiting for me to continue. "What?"

"Nothing." I went back to my drink.

"I saw you and that guy," Sierra purred seductively. "Was he bothering you? Want me to tell the owners? I know them personally."

I smirked; if that guy knew I was a Spinelli, he would have shit his pants. Relaxing a bit, I said. "No one bothers me, Tippy."

"It's getting hot in here." She said, "Would you like to go for a walk under the moonlight?"

I scoffed at that. "No. Buzz off."

She appeared disappointed and got off her stool. "Okay, then."

That's when I noticed the moron from before was following her.

* * * * * * * *

SIERRA

The stupid phone had been a decoy; when it was unlocked, it had no contacts, no outgoing calls, and nothing else except a music playlist. It was practically new.

I felt humiliated as the other agents laughed at me boasting about stealing the main thing on my first try.

As I headed for the exit, I heard someone walk up next to me. He reached for the door before I could. I swung my head to see Dante glaring at me.

"Fine, we'll take that walk." He said, swinging the door open.

I nodded, walking outside with a smirk.

We walked in silence for a minute; he wouldn't speak to me. In fact, he looked as if someone was following us.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

He turned to me in anger. "Of course there isn't; didn't you want the stupid walk anyway?"

Annoyance rushed deep in my skin, and I planted my fists against my hips. "No one forced you to, so stop acting like a baby!"

He rolled his eyes, shook his head, and muttered under his breath. "Fucking women."

"You know I can hear you." I replied.

"So what?" He spat. "We can do this the easy way, Sierra; invite me back to your place and get it over with."

I scoffed, but I blushed from thinking about going to bed together. Thank God, it was so dark, he wouldn't see my face. "I don't think so."

"Is this what you wanted all along?" Dante snapped. "You want me to beg?"

"You really think you're irresistible, don't you, Dante?" I sighed. "You must have gone out with women who had the IQ of a fish."

He chuckled.

I frowned. "What's so funny?"

"Like you're any better." He replied smoothly. "Serena."

I held my fists tightly. Oh, he was so infuriating.

I reached into my purse. "Hey, I found this at the club the other night."

"Huh?"

"Your phone?"

"Oh, right."

He snatched it, quickly shoving it into his pocket. "Thanks."

I stared at him, puzzled by his response. "You weren't worried at all?"

"No, I thought if the idiot tried to sell it on the streets, my guys would jump him." Dante said casually.

I nodded.

"And kill him," he added. "My personal items are very valuable."

I nodded, but only because I was frightened. "That's very extreme over an iPhone."

"No." He shook his head, leaning forward. "This is extreme."

Before I could ask what he meant, he grabbed me and crushed his mouth to mine. I gasped, pounding my fists into his chest, trying to push him away.

But then, curiosity won, I wrapped my arms around his neck. I kissed him back, deeper, tasting...until my breath was taken away.

Then a sharp voice that belonged to Howard cut through the air.

"Sierra, what the fuck!"