Page 22 of Bulletproof Baby

"So that's the woman who's got you skipping out on meetings?" Armande nudges his chin toward Saul and Lia. She's unable to hide her distaste, but she remains quiet as Saul speaks loudly, obnoxiously, and with his hands. Saul is purposely drawing attention to himself. No doubt to goad me into the reaction he desires. He only needs a reason.

"She is," I admit, knowing it's pointless to lie to Armande.

"Different." Armande nods. "I understand, but still, different for you. A civilian? Really, Valley?"

"I'm not interested in your opinion, Armande," I tell him.

"You should be. I think you're too caught up in her, her link to Saul, and it's going to make you do something incredibly stupid." Armande's honesty is worth consideration.

"I don't want Caputo to do anything stupid—" The words leave my mouth just as my gaze shifts over to the table where Lia swipes at something under the table. Saul's hands are no longer in the air, gesturing wildly to make whatever point he's speaking about.

Armande's hand grips me by the shoulder. "Huge, giant headlines, stupid."

I shrug Armande's hand off of me to make my way over to the table. Every eye in the room lands on me.

Armande whispers as I stop in front of Saul and Lia. "Stupid, bodies drop, blood in the streets."

It's a reminder that this isn't just business between Saul and me. Our families, La Familia, the ties that link us are deeper than my feelings for Lia. This immediate bond to her is something I don’t want, anticipate, and need to avoid because I know love just isn't for me. Anything that has this much control over my behavior is a problem.

Still, I can't stand by and allow Saul to treat Lia this way.

"I'm not going to do anything," I whisper to Armande before turning to Lia and holding out my hand.

"What do you think you're doing, Barrone?" Saul snarls.

I keep my tone indifferent. "Taking Miss Bonetti home. I think you should apologize to her, Saul. Doing anything to a woman without her consent isn't the way to do things. You know better."

Lia eyes my hand hesitantly. I nod to her, but as soon as she moves to take it, Saul slams his hand on the table. Anyone who's not looking in our direction certainly is now. If he wants Lia to play this role, to get close to me and siphon information out of me, Saul's a phenomenal actor.

"Lia is an adult, free to make whatever decisions she chooses. She chose to have dinner with me, and I believe she should finish it," Saul argues, taking a sip of his drink. "As a matter of fact, she owes it to her family to finish this meal."

"Fine, Saul. How much is it worth to you for Lia to leave this table with me?" I ask him.

"I can't believe this. This isn't happening," Lia mumbles. "You two are assholes. Dinner is over and I'm going home."

She pushes past me, leaving me and Saul alone at the table as she leaves Kings.

"Three million," Saul says as if Lia's still sitting at the table.

"Three million what?" I turn to Saul, my curiosity edging against my anger.

"Doll hairs, Don Barrone." Saul's mockingly smug grin irritates me. He shrugs his shoulders. "If you'd like the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bonetti to be permanently removed from my life, no harm to her of course, that's what it's going to cost you."

"Fine." I tell him, pulling out my phone ready to transfer the money.

"Not even a flinch. You care about her. So soon? That must have been some sweet virgin pussy." Saul's eyes widen with glee and I realize my mistake. I want to strangle him, wrap my fingers around his throat to squeeze until every ounce of life drains out of his bulbous body.

Armande clears his throat behind me.

I turn toward Armande, nudging my chin in the direction Lia left, telling him, "Make sure she gets home safely."

Saul continues to laugh to himself, taking sips of his drink and nodding. He already knows my emotions are involved. I'm not going to waste time pretending that I don't feel something for Lia.

"Stupid," Armande says quietly before walking out of the club.

Dimitri approaches with his face stoic. "Gentlemen, please take a seat or take this conversation to one of our private rooms."

Saul extends his hand for me to sit in Lia's seat. For the first time in a very long time, Saul Caputo has the upper hand. He's cold and calculating where I'm letting the gift of Lia's virginity make me forget the kind of man I truly am. I need to play this smarter, so I sit across from the man that I'm desperate to kill.