Chapter 45- Family Business
Lucia The boardroom felt like a baleground dressed in mahogany and leather. Twenty of the city’s most powerful business leaders sat around the massive table, each watching us with calculated interest as Dante laid out the harbor expansion plans. I studied their faces from my position beside him, reading tells my brothers had taught me to recognize since childhood
Harrison Chen’s fingers tapped irregular pattems on his armrest — nervous about the shipping impact. Maria Rovac’s lips pressed slightly too tight concerned about territory boundaries. And Janes Sullivan – Mark’s uncle and head of the largest construction firm – wouldn’t quite meet my eyes.
Imeresting.
“The development ere
creates opportunities for all families.” Dante was saying. “Equal profit sharing, transparent operations-
his voice carrying
rying that smooth authority that commanded attention.
“Transparent Chen’s laugh held no humor. “Like the Romano family’s other business ventures?
I felt Dante tense beside me, that microscopic shaft that meant his control was slipping. Before he could respond, I leaned forward slightly
“Actually, Mr. Chen, I’d be happy to walk you through the exact revenue projections.” I pulled up detailed spreadsheets on the presentation screen “Including how the new shipping lanes benefit your family’s eastern operations by approximately thirty–seven percent.”
Chen blinked, thrown by my precise knowledge of his business. “How did you—‘
“My wife has an excellent head for numbers, Dante cut in smoothly, his hand settling on my knee under the table. “Among other talents.”
The possessive touch should have annoyed me. Instead, it sent heat curling through my body, remembering exactly what other talents‘ he’d appreciated last night. The way his hands had
Facul
The environmental impact studies,” Maria Kovac started, but I was already pulling up the relevant documents.
“Complete transparency,” I assured her, highlighting key sections. “Including additional protections f preserves
Her eyebrows rose slightly. Another piece clicked into place.
s for the wetlands your family has been trying to
The meeting continued, each concern met with precise responses we’d prepared together. Dante handled broad strokes while I provided detailed support, our partnership flowing naturally now. Like a dance we’d been practicing for years instead of months.
*Impressive,” James Sullivan said finally, studying us both with shrewd eyes. Though one wonders about the true purpose behind such…unity
between families.”
Dante’s fingers tightened on my knee. “Meaning!
“Simply that certain rumors persist. Sullivan’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “About the nature of your marriage. About convenient arrangements and political timing…”
Thet temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.
“How interesting.” I kept my voice light, professional, even as Dante’s hand slid higher under the table in a gesture that was definitely not professional “And what rumors have you heard about the Sullivan family’s recent acquisitions? The ones conveniently timed with certain zoning changes!
Color drained from Sullivan’s face. “I don’t know what you”
“No?” I smiled, letting him see the steel beneath my sophistication. “Perhaps we should discuss it over dinner. I’m sure your nephew Mark would Jove to join us, share his… artistic perspective on family business.”
The threat landed perfectly. Sullivan sat back, properly chastised.
“If there are no other concerns,” Dante’s voice held dangerous amusement, “shall we move to the formal vote?”
The rest passed in careful choreography, Signatures obtained, alliances secured, power consolidated beneath perfect political polish. When the room finally emptied, tension crackled between us like liglaning before a storm
“Sullivan was testing us,” I said, gathering documents without meeting Darae’s eyes. His proximity still buzzed under my skin, making it hard to forus. Trying to find cracks in our partnership.“.
“And instead found exactly how dangerous we are together.” His hands settled on my hips, turning i me to face him. All that careful control had burned away, leaving raw heat in his dark eyes. “Do you have any idea how magnificent you are when you’re destroying someone’s carefully laid plans
vas his mouth found
my
y neck. “We should discuss the contract
he contract details..”
“I learned from the best.” But my voice shook slightly as
“Later.” His teeth grazed my pulse point, making me gasp. “Right now, I need to show my brilliant wife exactly how much appreciate her strategie thinking
“The boardroom! Really? But I was already arching into his touch as his hands slid under my silk blouse. “Someone could come in…”
“Let them.” He lifted me onto the table, sending papers scattering. “Let them see exactly who you belong to.”
“Possessive beast.” The words came out breathy as his fingers found bare skin. “I don’t belong to
Chapter 45 Family Business
His kiss cut off my protest, hungry and demanding in a way that spoke of ownership rather than politics. I should have resisted. Should have maintained professional distance.
Instead, I found myself pulling him closer, letting him devour my defiance with kisses that felt like claims. His hands made quick work of buttons while mine attacked his the, need overwhelming careful restraint.
“Tell me to stop.” he growled against my throat, but his fingers were already pushing my skin higher. “Tell me this is just business.”
“Shut up and kiss me.“.
His laugh rumbled against my skin as he obliged, turning performaner into passion with practiced ease. When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard, masks completely shattered.
“We should.” I started, trying to remember why this was a bad idea
“Later.” His mouth reclaimed mine, stealing protests and professionalism and everything except the burning need for more.
Much later, as we straightened clothes and rebuilt careful facades, reality crashed back.
“The Chen family will still fight us.” I said, fixing smudged lipstick in a compact mirror. “Even with the profit sharing.”
“Let them try Dante’s smile held satisfied shadows as he watched me in the mirror. “They’ve never faced us together before.”
The word hung between us, heavy with meaning neither of us was ready to face. Because somewhere between contract and chans, between business and pleasure, between his possession and my protection partnership had become something else entirely,
My phone buzzed–julia, checking on wedding details. Another piece of our careful performance that felt increasingly real
*Dinner at the mansion tonight.” I reminded him, switching back to professional mode despite the lingering heat under my skin. “Your mother’s determined to teach me proper Romano family recipes.
“Planning for the future?” His voice carried that dangerous edge that still made my pulse race. “Rather optimistic, given our contract terms”
“Simply maintaining appearances. But we both heard the he. “Unless you have other ideas?
His hands caught my hips agam, pulling me back against his chest, “Many ideas, cara. None of them suitable for public discussion.”
