Air escaped my lungs as if someone had poked holes in them. Marco Giacomo, Francesco's own cousin stood before me, his hand outstretched.
"Holy shit," Jade cursed under her breath, a little too audible for Marco not to hear it.
A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he turned his golden eyes to my friend. "And you must be Jade, I guess. I've heard a lot about you," he poured before shifting his gaze back to me.
I cleared my throat and swallowed a hard lump in my throat as I took his hand. "Pleased to meet you too, Mr Giacomo."
"I'd prefer you call me Marco. We'd be family soon after all," he laughed, his hands spread wide.
I chuckled nervously.
His smile widened but the warmth in it seemed to diffuse. "I'd have liked to invite you to lunch or dinner. But I know my cousin would have a problem with that...so..." he paused and licked his lower lip. "I had to devise this little ruse to see you in person. I hope you forgive me."
I studied him. His practised expression, the look in his eyes, his stance, his lifted chin–everything had been trained to dominate his opponents. I stepped back. "I assume, then, that you're not interested in my work."
"It is infact quite the opposite. You see I admire your works and I find your latest piece quite astonishing," he said and inched closer, his eyes roaming all over my body. "But I now see that my cousin has taken the masterpiece for himself."
Normally, I would have bristled at his comment, but this time I knew better than to do anything to provoke him. I glanced at Jade and she motioned with her chin at the glass door where two brawny men in dark suits had taken their positions. Well...fuck.
I inhaled through my nose, barely able to slow my frantic heart rate. I knew that Buzo would be somewhere around. I had told him I was meeting a client at noon. I tried to believe that he would somehow barge in all of a sudden if things went south.
I locked my eyes on Marco and forced a smile. "This is the painting you said you found interesting," I said, pointing at the easel on my right.
Marco nodded curtly and stepped forward, surveying my work. "I wondered what made you paint it."
I shrugged, struggling to sound as natural as possible. "Sometimes I just look at the canvas and let my emotions guide me."
A cold smirk curved his lips. "I'm glad there is at least one thing we both have in common. I too, sometimes allow my emotions to guide me."
A shudder rushed through me. I gazed into his eyes and saw the sinister glint in them. I threw a glance in Jade's direction and I noticed her swallow nervously. That was how I guessed she saw it too. We needed to get the hell out of here. And fast.
"I would love to get to know you better, Stephanie," he went on, and the corners of his lips went up in a smile, one carrying a threat. "Let me take you to my residence. I'll show you how a true Giacomo lives. Later we can discuss the price...for your works. Who knows? Maybe I'll buy them all."
I straightened my back and lifted up my chin, staring directly into his eyes, hoping I did a good job hiding my fear. "I'm afraid I have to reject your proposal," I gritted out, struggling to steady my voice. "I already have plans."
He breathed out a chuckle. "If you mean Ms Jade, there's no problem. She's free to tag along."
I curled my fingers into fists, summoning every ounce of confidence of me. "I still need to refuse. But perhaps you can call my fiance and then we can all meet for lunch some time."
He held my stare for a few heartbeats before his lips stretched into a dark smile. "I don't take no for an answer, Ms McMahon." He turned over his shoulder, a silent order for his goons to roll in.
Jade and I stepped back, watching the two huge men flank Marco. I had to text Buzo and tell him somehow that we were in trouble. My hand dropped to the pocket of my phone.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Marco purred. "Play nice, Steph."
Shit. We were toast. I looked sideways at a trembling Jade. Her eyes were on the three trembling predators prowling towards us, too helpless and horror struck to move. I stepped forward and pushed her behind me.
"We're not going anywhere with you," I hissed. "And if you try to force us, that will be abduction."
He clicked his tongue and shook his head–a patronizing gesture. "Abduction is such a strong word when I really mean no harm."
I sucked in a sharp breath. "If you mean no harm then prove it. Tell your men to leave.
He flashed an icy smile and slowly shook his head. I swallowed. I was out of options and those men were completely blocking our only way out. As I prayed for a miracle to happen, the door suddenly flung open and four men in dark suits rushed inside. My heart leaped into my mouth. I didn't know what was happening until I saw Buzo walk in after them. The relief nearly made my knees buckle.
"Mr Giacomo I'm afraid I'll have to tell you to leave," Buzo snarled as he sidestepped Marco's men and shielded Jade and me.
"I came here as a client," Marco said, casually from a golden lighter in his hands with arrogant confidence.
Buzo spread his arms, blocking me from view. "The merchandise you want is not for sale. Leave."
"No Francesco's dog will give me orders or tell me what to do!" Marco growled, causing me to flinch.
"Then I'll tell you to leave."
My breath hitched in my throat. I leaned out from behind Buzo's massive frame and saw Francesco standing by the door. His eyes flared with a furious rage and his hands fisted as he prowled towards his cousin.
Marco turned to him, his eyes widening. "I thought you left New York...why are you here?"
"Oh I did leave New York," Francesco replied. "But I returned two hours ago." A dark smirk formed on his lips. "Is that why you're here? Because you thought I was out of New York?"
Marco worked his jaw but didn't answer. His guards stayed close, keeping their hands on their holsters, but they were outnumbered.
Francesco inched towards his cousin. "Leave. Take your men with you." His voice seemed calm but it had a lethal rage right below the surface.
"Feeling like the don already?" Marco teased with a sneer. "Well, don't get used to it. It's never going to happen."
Francesco let out an icy chuckle. "If you want the spot so badly, then maybe you should fight with me. Leave her out of it."
A feral glint appeared in Marco's eyes. "Ah...but this little fight between us was getting boring. And isn't she the new element in the game?" he crooned.
My stomach roiled. Buzo stepped forward, stretching his strong hand like a barrier to shield Jade and me.
Francesco's expression filled with lethal calm as he said, "Try to hurt her and it'll be your death sentence."
Marco clicked his tongue and smiled. "Threatening your family again."
A hint of a smile appeared. "I'll threaten even the devil to keep my Stephanie safe."
My heart somersaulted at his words.
I had to remind myself of why he found me so valuable. He needed me as his wife, nothing more. But my dumb self kept forgetting the fact.
Marco held Francesco's stare. "Why's she so important? If I take her now, you'll still have months to find a wife, won't you?"
Francesco simply motioned his head. In a flash, his men reached into their holsters, pulling out guns and aiming at Marco and his goons. "You can leave this place alive or dead."
Fury blazed in Marco's eyes, but then he slowly raised his hands in surrender, a smirk on his lips. The two sentinels flanking him followed suit. "Cool your balls. We're leaving."
Francesco fave his men a curt nod and they stepped aside, moving away from the door. I held my breath as I watched Marco and his men leave, and released it only after he closed the door behind him, shooting me a sinister glance.
"Are you alright?" Francesco's voice soothed my restlessness.
My gaze went up to him and I saw him scanning me as if seeking injuries. A nervous chuckle escaped me.
"I'm fine," I muttered and threw a glance in Jade's direction. When she gave me a nod I muttered again, "We're both fine."
"Good," Francesco mumbled, combing his hair with his fingers. He watched me for a few heartbeats before asking, "Will you have lunch with me?" He glanced courteously at Jade also. "Would you join us, Ms McIntyre?"
She blinked. "Huh? Oh...oh..." She chuckled awkwardly and shook her head. "I'm sorry. I would have loved to but I have plans."
My brows rose. "You do? But you said that–"
"I just got a text that I should come to the hotel," she said with a grin.
I knew she was lying. There was no text. And I knew what she was doing. I gave her a look and her grin only widened.
"I'd better go right now," she said, sidestepping Francesco to pick up her clutch purse. "You two have fun."
My irritation sparkled but before I could will myself to come up with a witty response, she closed the door behind her.
"I still didn't get your answer." Francesco's voice nearly made me jump.
Only then did I look around and realise that everyone asides us had already left. All were gone, even including Buzo. I cursed inwardly and turned to meet his gaze. Despite how nervous that made me, we needed to talk. I had to at least find a way to handle people like Marco.
I cleared my throat. "Alright. Let's have that lunch."