American Dynasty

F O U R

Adrian Bellani as Matteo Biancardi ^^^

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Stella nearly choked on her own saliva.

The Flynn Dempsey? Every part of her mind was screaming at her to get far away from this man, but her feet wouldn't seem to listen.

"What's an Irish mobster doing at an Italian party?" She hissed at him, her eyes narrowed. "There are Mafia bosses and members here so I'm assuming you have a death wish."

Flynn chuckled and shot her a dazzling smile. "Nice to know that you've heard of me, sweetheart."

"Don't call me sweetheart," Stella said flatly.

Flynn laughed, a melodic tone that made Stella instantly want to hear it again. "Alright then, how about...baby?"

Stella pursed her lips and Flynn's eyes darted down at the movement. Her red lips were so plump and perfect, he wondered what it would be like to kiss them. "I think not," she said, the sharpness in her tone surprising him. "Men call their girlfriends 'baby' and I'm not nor ever will be a moll."

Flynn thought she couldn't surprise him any further with her fiery attitude but he was wrong. Stella Biancardi was without a doubt the most unpredictable and exasperating girl he had ever met, but for some reason that only intrigued him more.

"Fine, then how about doll?" Stella shrugged indifferently, but it was enough for Flynn. "I don't mean to blow up my ego but rumour has it I'm quite the catch," Flynn joked, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Stella rolled her eyes and glared at him. "And rumour has it that I'm not interested in gangsters. You can go find yourself a poor dumb Dora to dance with tonight."

Stella flounced away, leaving Flynn debating whether he should follow her or let it go. What was the big deal? So she wasn't interested, she was only one girl out of millions. But against his better judgement Flynn found himself following her out of the atrium and into the garden. Stella huffed irritably when she heard Flynn's quick and determined footsteps behind her.

"You just don't give up, do you?" She snapped, spinning around to face him.

"Trust me, I'm not entirely sure why I followed you either," Flynn said honestly.

Stella scowled and got in his face, as tough as that was considering he was so much taller than she was. "Listen, I don't want anything to do with you. Why would I want a man who chooses crime as his career?"

Stella was afraid that she had gone a little bit too far, but she quickly found herself becoming even more irritated when Flynn simply studied her calmly and intensely.

"So what?" He said quietly, tilting his head to the right. "You would rather have a boy who knows nothing of hardship and work and spends his daddy's dough?"

His eyes stared down into Stella's intently, making her heart race in panic. Flynn Dempsey was by far the most intimidating person she had ever met in her life, more intimidating that any Mafia boss she had ever dined with.

"I'm a self-made millionaire, Miss Biancardi, so perhaps you should think twice before deciding that you know my story," he said, his voice steely calm. Stella stared back at him with defiance, pursing her lips. "You really don't like being told what to do, do you?" Flynn mused, raising an eyebrow.

"Not by arrogant gangsters, no," she said boldly, half-heartedly regretting the words as soon as they left her mouth. She was fully aware of how dangerous the man in front of her was, but words kept tumbling from her lips before her mind could filter them.

Flynn frowned and lifted his head, gazing at her with an unreadable expression. "Are you always this infuriating?"

"Usually more," Stella answered honestly, a smug smile flickering across her face.

Flynn bit his lip and looked at her thoughtfully. "I like your fire," he murmured after a moment of silence. Stella raised an eyebrow, unsure of what to say. She had expected him to become irritated or impatient with her and just give up his useless chase. "I can promise you, Miss Biancardi," Flynn said as he took her hand in his. "That this is not the last you'll be seeing of me. I look forward to our next meeting."

With that he pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles and strolled back into the atrium, leaving Stella standing outside completely speechless.

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Glossary

Moll: a gangster's girlfriend