Free VITTORIO'S MISTRESS (The Vittorio Series) by Kimberley Reeves Page B

bruised your ego?   Or was it because I wasn’t sufficiently impressed by your vast wealth and you wanted to prove what all that money could buy?”
    Dante’s expression hardened.   “I told you why.   I wanted you and was willing to do anything to get you.”
    “Including blackmail.”
    “If that is what you choose to call it.”
    “There’s no other name for it,” she said resentfully.   “The only reason you bought my loan for the daycare center from the bank is so I’d sleep with you.   So what are you planning on doing, calling in the note if I refuse?”
    Dante met her hostile glare without a stitch of remorse.   “Yes, but I do not think it will come to that.”
    “Really?   Well I have news for you, Dante Vittorio.   I have enough money in the bank to cover this note so go ahead and call it in if you want.”
    “You underestimate me, cara .   I am aware of your financial status and agree that you could pay off the loan, but it would seriously cripple you and leave next to nothing for you to fall back on.”
    “You’re a cold-hearted bastard,” Paige said, her voice shaking with fury.
    “I have been called worse,” he replied evenly.   “Now, would you care to hear the terms of the agreement?   I think you will find my offer is more than generous and that you actually have more to gain from this than I do.”
    More than anything, Paige wanted to tell Dante to take his offer and go to hell, but he was right about how crippling it would be to her finances if she had to pay off the loan right now.   She could take her chances and hope no unexpected expenses came up, but it was a scary thought when she had Daniella’s welfare to consider.   Even if she decided the risk was worth it, what would she do if the daycare center didn’t flourish as she anticipated?   She could lose everything.
    Paige swallowed what little pride she had left.   “I’m listening.   What are your terms?”
    Dante’s expression remained impassive, not an easy feat considering the enormous sense of relief that washed over him when she hadn’t turned him down flat.   She’d considered it though, he could see it in her face, but she was smart enough to realize he was in a position to seriously injure her financially.   He wasn’t proud of the method he was using, but it was the fastest, easiest route to getting what he wanted.
    “It is very straight forward,” he told her.   “There is no fine print, no escape clauses, no tricks.   You will be my mistress for one month, which means you will be at my disposal whenever, wherever I want you.   You do not have to worry about this interfering with your job because I have the same responsibilities to my business, but in the evenings you belong to me.”
    “You said I had more to gain from this than you,” Paige said bitterly.   “So far, I fail to see where this benefits me.”
    “If you adhere to the terms and fulfill your role as my mistress, I will sign over the deed to the daycare center along with a financial statement showing you have paid the loan off.   You will own it free and clear.”
    “What if you get tired of me and call it off in a few weeks?   According to your terms, if I’m not at your disposal for a full month, you can call in the note.”
    “Whether I take advantage of you being at my disposal or not does not negate the agreement.   As long as you remain available to me, it does not matter if I spend one night with you or all thirty, you will still get the deed to the center.”
    Paige shoved back the rising panic.   She had no choice, not really, but how could she agree to his terms when she had Daniella to consider?   She gnawed at her bottom lip, acutely aware that Dante was watching her closely as he waited for an answer.   She also knew he wasn’t going to leave until he had one.
    “I will consider it only if you agree to negotiate a few minor things.”
    Dante arched a brow.   “Such as?”
    “My day doesn’t end