Potent Desire by Teresa Wolf

8

Maddox

Jesus Christ, she’s not the same little girl I used to know.

Isabella Romani has ascended to womanhood and it’s been damned kind to her. She’s gorgeous from head to toe. A perfect hourglass frame, scantily clad in that short dress. Her tits are on full display, her legs no different. Her face is painted in make-up that highlights every alluring feature. Even the forming bruise and the swelling on her cheek can’t detract from her stunning beauty.

I find it easy not to stare, though if I was a weaker man, I’d understand Vik’s desperate want to have her.

When we get to the lobby, I give the King’s men the tip-off that the job is done. Whatever deals they have in place with the hotel, to get the body out, doesn’t have a thing to do with me. I’m only meant to bring Isabella back home safely.

I keep my distance from Isabella until we get to my Bentley, where I open the door and help her in. She hasn’t taken her eyes off me since we left the hotel room.

I get into the driver’s seat and we head off. Neither of us speaks for most of the drive. I just want to finish this, and Isabella’s probably shocked at all that had happened. As we pull up the road to her father’s estate, she finally turns to me.

“You’re probably expecting a thank you, aren’t you?” she asks.

“No, not at all,” I reply. “I’m doing my job.”

A choked noise comes out of her mouth. She doesn’t seem happy with my answer.

“Well, thank you anyway,” she says with a huff.

“What happened up there?” I inquire. My curiosity rarely gets the better of me, though I can’t help myself with Isabella.

“Another chapter in the exciting life of Isabella Romani,” she shrugs. She doesn’t say any more and I fight the urge to question her further.

Something about Isabella’s making it harder for me than usual. I’ve never been chatty, never cared to question my orders. This is different. It’s only a fleeting feeling, I’m sure. After I drop Isabella off at her father’s estate, I’m sure it’ll have passed by morning. The circumstances of what happened to her, that’s all it’s got to be.

We arrive through the wrought iron gates of Isabella’s home. She looks hesitant about getting out of the car. I sit with her a while, long after Bruno steps out the front door, obviously waiting for us.

Isabella’s eyes fall on him, and I can see a deep sadness lingering within.

“Are you alright?” I ask.

“Yeah,” she replies.

“Look, it’s not much,” I slide my hand into my pocket, and pull out one of my business cards. I hand it to Isabella, and she looks it over once. “But if you ever find yourself in a pinch, how about you give me a call?”

“Why? So, you can come around and shoot some more people?” she spits. “You’re on my papa’s payroll, anyway. Anything that happens goes through him, right?”

Not the reaction I was expecting, but I accept it.

“No,” I shake my head. “I do odd jobs for the King, but I’m not his personal hound.”

My response takes Isabella by surprise. “Use it or don’t, it’s up to you,” I finish on the matter. “Now, come on. Let’s not keep your father waiting.”

I get out of the car, and open the door for Isabella, helping her out. We walk over and meet the King at his front door.

“Is it done?” Bruno asks, gently rubbing his thumb over Isabella’s bruising face.

“It’s done,” I reply.

She turns to me, giving me puppy dog eyes that might’ve melted my heart if it still worked that way.

“I knew I could count on you.” Bruno slaps my arm, forcefully, excited. “Getting rid of that sack of shit sorts out all my goddamn problems. Today’s a big day for the Romanis. Today’s a big day for you.”

“For me?” I ask, crossing my arms.

“Isabella, go inside,” Bruno says. I don’t really want her to go, but I don’t object to her father’s order. I find the way he’s treating the situation fascinating, and extremely odd. After what he subjected his daughter to, there’s not as much as a thank you, or a kind word in her direction. It unsettles me greatly.

“Thank you, again, Maddox,” Isabella says, her eyes sinking to the floor as she scurries along inside.

Bruno waits until he’s sure that Isabella is gone completely, before walking me back to my car. “I’ve got another job for you, Maddox. I wanted to make sure that you were the right man for the job, and you’ve definitely proved yourself with Vik.”

“Shouldn’t we lay low after what just happened?” I inquire.

That’s how these things usually went. Though most of the criminal activity in the city could fall back on one of the four families, we were never foolish enough to throw caution to the wind. Questions were asked, but cases disappeared. All of that needed time to die down.

“In a better world, perhaps we could’ve hung our heads and laid low, but we’re in dire times and we need to take swift action,” Bruno replied. “You see, Maddox, every man in my court has earned his place by completing an impossible task. A job so dangerous, they risk their own lives to finish it.”

I hate where this is going already. I know I’ve made a name for myself over the years, but I want no part of being at the King’s table. My father’s operations are small in comparison to Bruno’s, and I like small. Slow, steady, and manageable… predictable.

“It seems the Romani family has caught the attention of a judge. Some bitch that’s too pure for a bribe, and too straight to listen to threats. I don’t know what she’s got on me, but I can’t let her shut down my doors.”

He pauses, opening the driver seat door for me.

“Do you understand what I’m asking you to do?”

Without a single question, I know precisely what has to be done. He wants her dead. I’d be a fool not to say yes – not because it might lead to a position of power, but because the King might call for my head if I don’t.

“I do,” I reply, getting into my car.

“Good, more details will follow shortly. Have a wonderful evening, Maddox.” Bruno shuts my door and starts back for his front door. As I start my car, I catch a glimpse of Isabella once more, peering through one of the windows on the bottom floor of the house.

What the hell am I walking into, dealing with this family?

Am I biting off more than I can chew?

With a half-assed two-finger salute to Isabella, I make my way back down their driveway.

For the first time in a while, I’m feeling pretty nervous.

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Will Maddox and Isabella carve their own path and start falling for each other?

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