CHAPTER NINE

Natasha swallowed and looked behind her. Her heart stopped beating for a moment when she saw the doors open. Going through the main gates was the only option.

Get away from this cock head. She would love to fight him if he put on. But, she was outnumbered, and it would also be a foolish act that would implicate her.

Her breath went out in a whoosh as he stopped talking. His lips quirked up in a tiny smile as he waited for her response. 'Why not play this game with him,' she thought to herself,

Her eyes widened as she tried to think. She brought a shaky hand to her throat and rubbed it gently, a gesture of nervousness and discomfort.

A lot of questions crossed her mind. She was trying to study this man who claimed to be Lorenzo Lizzo.

Why would he give her that information generously along with three surprising options? What would happen if she refused him again?

Option three was out of the picture for her. Option two, she was not even considering it. Option two meant being powerless, at his mercy, and losing a chance to get close to her target, who had effortlessly fallen into her palm.

Option one meant that she would have money and also infiltrate his territory easily. But there was only one problem. What kind of work was he offering?

With her eyes still locked on his face, she thought about her options. But most importantly, the opportunity it will give her to end her mission easily.

If he was this careless, once Luca gave her the green light, this man would be gone. However, Natasha was still skeptical.

"One," she whispered hoarsely, as she stared into Lorenzo's eyes. He seemed surprised, but then his lips stretched into a full smile. And she just knew.

With that answer, she had signed herself over to him. She was no longer her own, but only for a while, though.

A short period.

Lorenzo stood up and walked slowly to her, his steps confident. When he was close, he reached out and touched a loose strand of her hair.

"Good choice," Lorenzo said.

"Remind me your name?"

Natasha thought briefly to give him a fake one. There was no need. Natasha was already a fake identity. "Natasha."

"Natasha," he repeated. The sound of her name coming from him made her cold again. His voice had such an…intimate impact.

Her eyes widened with the sudden thought. 'This man is connected. What if he digs into me? He wouldn't waste such resources on a mere bartender, though.

'You've seen something like this before, Nat, be wise. But, I need this. This risk is worth it. I'll have to take it.' She battled with the two personalities she had; Vera and Natasha's side.

Fear and boldness, clashing. She decided to stay mute. In time, he would give himself away. They always did.

"I'm glad that you decided to…work for me." The way he said those words made her body freeze.

He stared at her, his eyes intense.

Lorenzo stepped closer so that their bodies were pressed together. He moved his finger down her chubby cheek.

"I'll make sure that you won't regret this decision," he whispered huskily.

Wait, what? Did he mean…? He was Lorenzo Lizzo Nothing had ever been denied to him. And she just said yes to his offer.

Her breathing and the beat of her heart were too loud. She fought to keep it under control, Lorenzo bent down until his eyes were to his level.

"Don't worry. I won't hurt you unless you give me a reason to."

She licked her lips quickly. His gaze followed her movement as his emerald eyes turned from cold to hot.

He licked his own, and then he whispered, "If you do, I'll make sure you don't forget the memory in a hurry."

She sucked in a shocked breath, and it made her chest move against his. The friction made her body shiver. Was it apprehension? Or anticipation?

Snapping out of the temporary daze, she recalled herself.

"What work are we talking about here?" she asked quietly, her voice bold and unwavering.

He took another step closer, forcing her to take a step back. Lorenzo crowded him, his presence so strong that it made her feel weak and small.

"Exactly what it means…work," he continued in a husky voice.

Never get into something you had little or no details about. That, she had learned the hard way. Knowing what he needed her for would give her an edge to plot her plan.

"What is work?" she asked again. "I need you to be a bit more specific, Mr. Lizzo."

He stared into her eyes. They both stared at each other, unblinking.

The tension vibrated around them. Vera refused to give in to the tension building. She was stronger. While Natasha cowered.

He suddenly took a step back. She breathed out at the movement, and her tensed muscles uncoiled with relief.

Lorenzo stood to his full height, now looking down at her, his eyes hard again.

"What do you do here?"

"I'm a bartender," she responded coldly.

"That's what you'll be doing for me. Not bartending, though. I fired one of my maids and I need a replacement. You'll be working as my maid until I project otherwise," he said briskly.

Huh? He wanted her to clean and cook. She stared at him, confused. Lorenzo must have been the most mysterious man she had ever met.

One of the most feared mafia lords was hiring someone he hardly knew out of the blue. Confusing, strange, and dangerous.

"You want me to be your nanny?" She asked in bewilderment. He cocked his head to the side, still looking at her. Then he smiled. The same ferocious smile as before.

"Yes," he said as he took a step toward her, invading her space again.

"You had something else in mind?" he asked quietly, his tone suggestive as he traced a finger lightly up her right arm.

Well, he was decent for now. She would use that to bring out the ugliest in him. Make a man mad, and he will reveal his weakness. She halted the thought. 'Don't go there, Natasha.'

She shook her head quickly, her hair covering her face with the brisk action. Lorenzo brought his hand up and moved her hair away, baring her face to him again.

She swallowed nervously as she anticipated his next move.

His warm hand on his face was making the numbness in her body fade away. She hated that his touch could do that.

She hated that he had such an effect on her. Already, it was clear he could bring both sides of her to light, and she read lies in some of his wordings.

Something was off about this Lorenzo Lizzo. That was what Natasha had to figure out. A mafia lord never made mistakes. This one did, and she must find out why?