Her Predator

Deal with the Devil

Natalia -

I expected it would be another old sleazebag when Rocco asked me to do another private dance. I wasn't expecting someone so young and attractive. He was stunning.

I could see he was tall even though he was sitting. Those big shoulders weren't there just to look good. A few trends of rippling silky black hair fell on his forehead.

His aquiline nose enhanced his prominent cheekbones. But it was those mesmerising, wayfarer-grey eyes that caught my attention, like two liquid pools of flashing fire.

His rugged good looks were framed by a square jaw and a dimple-like chin split. His Mediterranean ancestry was evident in his golden olive skin.

I shook my head and went about my business. As my client clutched my thighs, I let out a gasp. I could feel his erection straining against its denim confinement, and I had to suppress a sigh as I considered how large it felt.

I've noticed that some clients lost control and tried to touch us, even though contacting the dancers is prohibited. I wasn't used to being able to enjoy it. I'd never intended a dance to turn into anything more than a dance, but the strange man in front of me was swiftly changing my mind. My body reacted to every move he made, the passion in his gaze, the way he clamped his teeth and hissed as he drew me closer.

Against my better judgement, I trusted my intuition. I never went past my client's shoulders with my hands, but he was different. I stroked my fingers down his chest till they reached his stomach. He was a hulking mass of lean muscle. When he placed his enormous calloused fingers around my wrists, I was startled.

I was now staring into the same mesmerising eyes, but instead of passion, they were filled with venom. He wasn't the Greek God I'd assumed he was. He was the devil himself.

"Please accept my apologies. There appears to have been a misunderstanding." In terror, I stuttered.

His pupils constricted, and his eyes contracted " Really? So you didn't tell Karl you were my girlfriend?"

I bit my lower lip. "That is not the case. That was merely something I said to save my brother's life."

"How would that have saved your brother?"

I winced as I felt his grip on my wrist tighten.

"Is it okay if we talk? Sir, please." I begged.

He remained motionless for some seconds before releasing me. He didn't, however, back away. He loomed over me. My bra and hotpants-clad body suddenly felt incredibly exposed. My arms swelled with goosebumps, and I crossed them.

When it became obvious that he had no idea who I was, I said, "I'm Johnathan Lambert's sister Natalia."

He tilted his head and said, "Johnathan Lambert. I'm not familiar with that name."

"He owes you money," I stated categorically.

" A lot of people owe me money."

I almost let out an audible gasp. How could someone forget who their debtors were? However, it's possible that this suggested Johnathan's debt was unimportant.

"He borrowed from you last month because he has a gambling addiction." I paused for a moment. "He's been behind on a few of his payments. One of your men came to my house and was hurting Johnathan. To get him to stop, I said I was your girlfriend. He might have killed John." I explained my problem and hoped he understood what I was saying.

He looked amused, took a step back, and then burst out laughing.

"Either Karl is a complete moron or you are a fantastic actress because he fell for it." He laughed.

"Sorry, I didn't want to offend you, but I couldn't think of anything else to say. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. Please accept my apologies for disturbing you."

He didn't respond, but his grin remained on his face.

"Mr Castello, all I wanted to do was..." I began to speak, but he put his finger to his lips, signalling that I should stay quiet. I promptly swallowed my words.

"So, in front of my men, you claimed to be my girlfriend?"

I shook my head and nodded.

"What? I'm sorry, but I didn't hear you "he stated.

I wanted to scoff at his audacity, but I was aware that I was at his mercy. It was preferable to play the polite card.

"I attempted to contact you by phone. The appointment time they offered me, however, was two months away." I responded, my voice rising slightly.

"It's because I'm a busy man," he said.

I said, "I just wanted to talk to you about my brother."

"We are talking now. Your brother is the one who owes me money. He must visit me."

"I'm here because he's young and naive," I murmured, tears welling up in my eyes.

"Let's disregard what you did for a moment. So you have my money?" He inquired, oblivious to my previous statement.

That jerk made me want to smack him. I despised his icy glare and casual demeanour.

I made an effort to regain my composure. "We don't have that type of money, Mr Costello. We've never had it before, and we're unlikely to ever have that kind of money."

"Before he conned me, your brother should have considered that. Do you have any idea what he's done?"

"He gambled away his money," I explained.

Alessandro let out a little chuckle.

"That's true, but that's not all. Your brother works as a peddler on the side. "

My heart skipped a beat.

"What did John do?" I asked.

"Instead of delivering them to my client, he went to the underground market and sold some of my expensive pills. The money was then gambled away."

My mouth opened wide in amazement. By pills he meant drugs? John, oh, John! What have you done, I pondered.

"I apologise, Mr Costello, but I believe I have a solution," I said, raising my eyes to him.

His stare moved to my lips, then my breasts. His gaze stayed there for a little minute before returning to my face. I made an effort not to slap him again.

"Go ahead," he murmured as he returned to the chair and sat down.

"So, I figured I could work off the money. I mean, I could work all hours of the day and night till the money is paid off. I can work as whatever you need. As a dancer or a stripper."

His face was covered with a little crooked smile. Before replying, he leaned back in his chair and stared at me for a few moments.

He inquired, "Do you know how long that would take?"

I shook my head.

"I can't read sign language for the life of me. Is it possible to say yes or no?" He bit his lower lip, irritated.

"No," I responded, desperately hoping I could punch him.

"With your hooker job, you won't be able to repay in the next 20 years," he said.

I shivered.

"Sir, I am not a hooker. I may work at a strip club and perform dances, but I am not a hooker." I said through gritted teeth.

He laughed once more.

"Perhaps not just yet." He c****d his head and lifted his brows. "No, I've got something else in mind."

I was apprehensive. I had no idea what he was intending.

"So you want to make amends for your brother's blunder?" He asked her, his eyes narrowing and then slowly moving over my body.

Shit. I could see how this was going to turn out.

"Natalia, I believe in being direct. If you stay with me for a month, Karl will not trouble you or your brother again."

I took a breath and swallowed.

"Can you tell me what you want me to do for a month?" I inquired, dreading the response.

He laughed. "Whatever I desire."

"Mr Costello, I've already stated that I'm not a w***e, thus I'm unable to accept this offer. And I'll do everything I can to get your money for you." I said and turned to leave. He grabbed my hand as I was going to walk away.

"Dont you dare walk away from me? Your brother conned me, and you lied about being my girlfriend, slapping me in the face. It appears that I will never see that money, so my men may be calling on you shortly." He snarled at me, his hold on my hand still strong. "Is your pride worth the risk of harming yourself or your brother?"

My mouth hung open. What a scumbag! I was in desperate need of help. I couldn't decide which was worse: being his w***e for a month or knowing he was capable of harming Johnathan.

He noted, "You've gotten pale. You're terrified of me. That's excellent. Those who cause me discomfort should be terrified of me."

I didn't disagree with him. From his coldly gorgeous looks to the way he appeared to see right through my veneer, everything about Alessandro Costello made me uneasy. He exuded confidence and power, as if all he had to do was issue an order and it would be carried out. Of course, I was afraid of him. All of my instincts told me he was a dangerous man. But...in just 30 days, I'll be able to dismiss this as a nightmare. In just a month, I'll be able to forget about this harrowing experience. John would be free. I'd done it before, and I'm sure I could do it again.

I sighed deeply after closing my eyes. I realised I'd have to make a decision immediately or risk backing out. "All right," I said quietly. I felt as if I was about to puke.

"Good girl," he whispered.

He taunted, "I've always wanted my personal slut," and smirked back at me. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. But I was not going to cry in front of this scumbag.