Chapter 6 Five Million Reasons

"Yeah... about five million dollars."

"What?" I snap, ready to lunge at her even if the chances of winning are slim.

"I can barely pay rent. I don't even eat well, and what?... five million dollars? You've got to be kidding me."

"No, I'm not. Right now, your mother is in the hands of the people she borrowed money from."

"What?!"

"Yeah... and by the looks of it, they could do whatever they want with her."

I slide down the wall, tears spilling from my eyes.

"Like girl, I'm doing you a favor right now."

Why would she borrow more money? What am I to her? A bank? A machine?

"Look. Stella, I don't have that kind of money," I say softly, trying not to break.

"Where do I even get that kind of money from?"

"Well, baby girl, I saw Matteo and Dante leaving your house yesterday..."

"...and I'm pretty sure they weren't here for a housewarming." She squats down to face me.

I lift my head to look at her. "You've been stalking me?"

"More like watching..."

"Don't change the topic, Nina," she says, standing up.

"You can use your body to get me the money. All you have to do is shake what your mama gave you."

"You're mistaken. They don't give a shit about me," I say, frustrated.

"That's your own cup of tea, baby girl. Get me the money before the month ends." She smiles before leaving the house.

Why can't I abandon my mother the way she abandoned me years ago?

Why do I still love her, even though she's never done anything for me?

I mean she gave birth to me. The least she could've done was love me the way I love her... Is that too much?

>>>

I knock on THE MORETTI'S door, waiting for an answer.

"Come in."

I open the door and close it softly behind me.

"Nina," Matteo says, cutting his conversation with Dante.

It's the first time he's called me by my name, and I just love the way it sounds coming from...

Not the time, Nina.

"Did you miss us that much?" Dante jokes, closing the files on the table to focus on me.

"Hi." My voice comes out light. I clear my throat. "I... I need something."

Matteo leans back in his chair, folding his arms. "What do you need, dolce peccato?"

"I... I..." My throat tightens. Am I about to cry? Or is it the humiliation? The feeling of being this pathetic?

"I... I need more money."

Matteo's brow lifts as he leans forward. "What?"

"I need about five million dollars."

"No." They both say in unison.

"Please..." Tears burn in my eyes.

They stand and walk toward me, their long strides eating the space between us.

"Tell us what you need the money for," Dante says, eyes locked on mine.

"I can't say." I can't tell them about the betrayal from my mother... or Stella.

"Then we're not giving you a dime," Matteo says.

"Please, I need it. We can extend the contract. I'll work as long as you want," I beg.

"Are you gambling, Nina?" Dante's voice turns sharp.

"No." I shake my head.

"Are you on drugs? Maybe addicted?"

"No," I whisper.

"Then where the fuck is all this money going to?"

I say nothing, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Is someone threatening you?" Matteo asks, searching my face.

I stay silent.

"Who?"

"It doesn't matter, Matteo. I'm already working to pay off the one million. I can work longer..."

"Shut up and tell me who the fuck is threatening you," Dante demands, gripping my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"I can't tell you."

"Why?" Dante's hand leaves my chin.

I keep shaking my head, crying harder. "I can't tell you."

"Fine. If you're not going to talk, then get out," Matteo says, turning away, Dante following suit.

>>>

I haul a cab home, drowning in tears and self-pity.

A few hours after I return, the doorbell rings.

I open it to find Dante-dressed in casual clothes. No earpiece. No suit.

When did he change? He looks soo... SHUT THE FUCK UP!

"I'll be staying here for the night," Dante mutters.

My eyes widen. "Why?"

His dark gaze finds mine. "We're not stupid, Nina... we know someone's threatening you."

"What about Matteo..."

Hold on... Has my name ever been pronounced this beautifully?

Pinching myself to clear my head, I just stare at him, his dark eyes looking down at me, his hair falling over his forehead as he leans in, his lips...

What the?

"Someone has to keep the club running, princess," he says, smirking. "And I'm staying the night, so let me in."

Right...

I hesitate but step aside to let him in.

"You're gonna tell me who's threatening you, princess?"

"There's nothing you can do about it," I sigh.

"If you tell me, I promise I'll take care of it," Dante says, lifting his pinky finger.

I smile, slapping it away gently.

"I can't, Dante. It's not that simple."

"You're being stubborn, Nina."

"It's nothing. Believe me."

"You're not being honest with me. Why the fuck should I believe you?"

"This is silly. Just go home."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"You need to leave, Dante," I snap, going into the kitchen to get water.

My throat feels dry from all the crying.

Suddenly, I'm pressed against the fridge.

"You do not use that tone on me, princess," Dante growls in my ear, then turns me to face him.

He leans in, lips crashing into mine in a harsh tangle of tongue, biting and sucking.

A moan escapes me as his hands grip my hips, lifting me onto the counter, stepping between my legs.

He deepens the kiss, and I hook my ankles around his thigh, pulling him closer.

The bulge of his erection pressing between my legs, and I ache for more.

He suddenly pulls back.

"We don't want you to get hurt, Nina."

"I won't, it's just..."

"Shhh. Anytime you're ready, princess."

"...Can we go to the bedroom now?" I whisper, forgetting all my problems-only focusing on Dante right in front of me.

Dante chuckles, lifting me in his arms, moving us to the bedroom.

He kicks the door shut behind us.

He lays me on the bed and pulls back.

"You sure about this?"

"Yes Daddy... Fill me with your cock."