Mistress By Blackmail: International Billionaires I: The Italians Read Free

the words as he shook his head, yet the undertone of respect told Marcus what he needed to know. The head of his security thought his plan was solid.
    “Do I detect judgment in your tone?”
    His friend waved the question away. They’d gone through too many tense situations not to know what the other really thought.
    He leaned back in his chair and contemplated what he had to do in the next few weeks. His voice hardened with resolve. “I do what I have to do to protect my family and my business.”
    “There is a chance she’s actually in love with him.”
    His sardonic chuckle filled the office. “Please.”
    Blake surveyed him with amusement. “At some point this cynicism of yours is going to trip you up.”
    “I doubt it.”
    The intercom crackled. “Mr. La Rocca?”
    “Yes, Angie.”
    “There’s a woman here to see you.” His PA’s voice held annoyance. “She’s not on your schedule, sir. Yet she’s very insistent.”
    Marcus threw a mocking grin at the other man. “I love insistent women.”
    “Sir?” Angie’s voice blurred into confusion.
    “Show her in.”
    “Yes, sir.” The intercom went dead.
    “Want me to stay?” Blake gave him an ironic smile.
    “I don’t believe I need your supervision to seduce a woman.”
    The head of his security snorted. “Then I’m out of here. I wish you luck.”
    “I don’t need luck. I merely need to follow through with my plan.”
    Shaking his head again, the blond man slid through the private side door leading into the conference room. At the same time, the main office door opened with a crash.
    To his PA looking irritated and flustered. Which was unusual.
    And behind her stood…
    A fairy sprite.
    A dainty nymph.
    A sublime elfin creature.
    She would barely reach his shoulder. Even in high heels. Certainly not in the clunky, plodding shoes she had on. The dress she wore did nothing for her—brown, ugly. Yet, it could not hide the body beneath. All lithe and elegant. Fine boned, but still with a delicious womanly curve to the hip and bust. The photos his mother had brought him had not done her justice. Had not shown the reality of her true beauty.
    Every inch of his skin tightened and a particular part of his anatomy hardened. A flashing thought crossed his mind. He was glad he was sitting.
    “Sir.” Angie regained some of her moxie and stepped forward. “This is—”
    “Darcy Moran.” The delicate nymph stomped into his office, her dark, feathered brows held in a frown. “I have something to say to you.”
    Struggling to regain his control, Marcus eyed his prey. “I can see that.”
    “Mr. La Rocca—”
    “You may go, Angie.” His gaze never left the tiny woman who’d stopped stomping and now stood inside the room in rigid anger.
    The door shut with a soft thump.
    Her face was a lovely oval, her chin slightly pointed. Her black hair was cut short and curled around her petite ears. Her mouth was pure perfection. Plump, pink, and lush. Her eyes flashed with fire. He couldn’t quite pick out the color across the length of the room, but they were light. Filled with the light of battle at the moment.
    Remarkable. The air between them sizzled. He would not have been surprised if electric shocks sprang from both of their bodies.
    Dio . He could almost forgive Matteo for moving this piece of art into his flat.
    The woman crossed her arms in front of her. “You have a lot to answer for.”
    “I usually do.” His tongue felt thick. His mouth dry.
    “You can’t force Matt to marry this Viola woman.”
    “Mmm.” He clamped down on his libido and focused on the task at hand. The task at hand that had become remarkably more desirable in the last few minutes. This was no longer a chore; it would be a pleasure to take this woman to bed. In fact, having sex with her was now his primary aim. How lucky for him this coincided with his ultimate goal of detaching her from his brother.
    “That’s all you have to say for yourself?”
    “Matteo has been