Sinful Flames

Chapter 9

The atrium buzzes with activity as I walk in, accompanied by Evangeline, Antonio, and my right-hand man Matteo. My eyes immediately find Chiara, who is helping the photographer Peter set up his equipment. The way they interact, standing close and exchanging easy smiles, irritates me. Were they friends? I don’t like it.

I watch as Matteo strikes up a conversation with Chiara’s best friend, Fiona. The way they laugh and chat makes me roll my eyes. This isn’t a social gathering; it’s business. Chiara glances over at me and approaches with a professional smile.

“Are you ready for the photoshoot, Mr. Romano?” she asks.

“Always, and call me Gabriel” I reply, my tone cool and detached.

The shoot begins, and I pose as instructed, projecting the image of the powerful CEO I am. At one point, I take off my coat. Antonio moves to grab it, but I gesture him away and hand it to Chiara instead. Her fingers clutch the fabric tightly, and I can see her knuckles whitening whenever I strike a particularly intense pose. It makes me smirk, knowing she’s affected by me just as much as I am by her.

Despite this, I can’t ignore the way Peter stands too close to Chiara, especially when he casually puts a hand on her shoulder as they wrap up. Something snaps inside me.

“Tienilo le mani lontane da lei!” I yell in Italian, my voice echoing through the atrium. (Keep your hands off her!)

Everyone stops and stares, including Chiara, who looks shocked by my outburst. The photoshoot ends, and as she walks out of the atrium, she catches up with me.

“Why did you yell like that?” she demands, her voice a mix of confusion and irritation.

“Because you're mine,” I say without thinking.

Chiara's eyes widen. “What do you mean by that?”

I don’t answer, leaving her standing there as I head to my office. Matteo follows, an amused look on his face.

“Such an interesting photoshoot,” he comments as we enter my office. “Why did it bother you so much when the photographer put his hand on her shoulder? Aren’t you supposed to hate her?”

I glare at him, but Matteo just laughs and leaves, closing the door behind him. I sit at my desk, staring out the window. Matteo’s words echo in my mind. Why does it bother me so much?

The truth is, I don’t know. Chiara challenges me, frustrates me, and yet, I can’t help but be drawn to her. I hate how she makes me feel vulnerable, but at the same time, I’m intrigued by her strength and resilience. There’s a chemistry between us that’s undeniable, and it’s driving me mad.

I rub my temples, trying to clear my head. This situation is getting out of hand, and I need to regain control. But as much as I try to deny it, Chiara has gotten under my skin in a way no one else ever has. And that, more than anything, terrifies me.

                         ††††††††††††
As I sit in my office, Chiara's text message pops up on my phone, accompanied by the photos from yesterday's shoot. I glance at them briefly, impressed by her work, before dialing her number. She picks up on the second ring.

"Hey, Chiara," I say, my voice calm and composed. "I got the photos. They look great."

"Thanks, Gabriel," she replies, her voice warm. "I was just about to call you. I thought we could meet up to discuss them."

I hesitate for a moment, considering my options. "I have to go somewhere for work," I inform her. "But we can meet in a cafe nearby. How about that?"

"That works for me," she says, sounding pleased. "Which cafe?"

I tell her the name of the cafe and we agree on a time. Just as I'm about to hang up, I hear Peter's voice in the background. "What's Peter doing there?" I ask, curiosity piqued.

Chiara laughs lightly. "He helped me choose the final photos," she explains. "Don't worry, he's harmless. Plus, he's gay, so you don't have to feel jealous."

I feel a twinge of annoyance at her assumption. "I'm not jealous," I reply tersely, ending the call before she can say anything else.

I glance at the clock and realize I need to leave soon if I want to make it to the dockyard on time. The shipment of weapons from the American mob is scheduled for tonight, and I can't afford to be late. I make a mental note not to return to my office after meeting with Chiara. It's better to keep a low profile, especially with such sensitive business dealings happening tonight.

As I gather my things and head out the door, I can't shake the feeling of unease. Chiara's presence has a way of stirring up emotions I'd rather keep buried. But for now, I have more pressing matters to attend to. The night ahead promises to be long and dangerous, and I need to be prepared for whatever comes my way.

I glance at Antonio and Matteo, their expressions calm and collected. "Everything under control?" I ask, my voice low.Antonio nods, his hand resting casually on the holster at his hip. "Absolutely, boss. We've got eyes everywhere, and everything's running like clockwork."

Matteo echoes his sentiment, a confident smirk playing on his lips. "Don't worry, Gabriel. We've got this."I nod, satisfied with their assurances. With Antonio and Matteo by my side, I know I can trust that tonight will go smoothly. But still, I can't shake the feeling of unease that gnaws at the back of my mind. In this line of work, you can never be too careful.

I make it clear to them that I don't want any disruptions, and that I won't hesitate to deal with anyone who gets in my way, no matter who they may be.