Chapter 4

Pietro's brother knew he wasn't attracted to women. He was well aware that his brother had always been obsessed with Augusto and knew every detail of the plan Pietro had devised to get the man he wanted. Pietro kept a regular lover — he had his needs, after all — but that arrangement would only last until he had Augusto in his arms. Until then, he'd have to settle for a substitute. Besides, the man had never caused him any trouble. He knew that if he opened his mouth, he'd be killed.

Pietro snapped out of his reverie when his brother called him. He put the photograph away and turned his attention to Diego.

"So what's the next step?" Diego asked, curiosity clear in his voice.

"I imagine he must be worried, since Alice's birthday is next week. And speaking of which, I need to throw a party for my bride." He smiled at his brother, who smiled back.

"He's probably desperate to save his sister, and that's where his friend comes in. He hadn't noticed the loophole in the contract yet — Mark pointed it out to him. Now we just wait."

"You're really sharp," Diego said, admiration in his voice.

"And you — take advantage of the party I'm throwing to make a move on the woman you love, you idiot. You know what you have to do. If you play your cards right, she'll be shaken. So play your Romeo part and win your Juliet." They laughed together.

"I know you'll make her happier than I ever could, so don't waste this chance."

Pietro was capable of doing anything for the people he loved. He'd get the man he wanted so badly, and on top of that, he'd give his brother the chance to be happy with Alice. While they were still in the study, Pietro received a message from one of the organization's lawyers, informing him that Augusto had come looking for him. Things were going even better than he'd expected. All that remained was to wait one week for everything to truly begin.

The day before Alice's birthday, Pietro sent new outfits to Augusto's entire family. It would look strange if he only sent something for him. Along with the clothes, he included a note with details about the party and the time the driver would come to pick them all up — making it clear this was a summons, not an invitation. They couldn't refuse.

Pietro had already organized everything for the following night and went over the plan with his brother one more time. He couldn't risk Diego getting nervous and ruining everything. He'd been planning all of this since he was thirteen, when he'd shoved a gun in that lawyer's face and forced him to alter the contract. Even as a child, people had already been afraid of him, and he didn't care. He figured it was better that way.

That day, Pietro went to the company to handle some business and had a meeting with a few council members to try to distract his mind. During the meeting, he received a message from Miguel asking when he'd see him again and saying he already missed him. Pietro just shook his head. That wasn't going to happen — especially not when he was this close to having Augusto.

Now that his plan was finally coming together, he had no interest in continuing those escapades with Miguel. The man was just a distraction until this moment arrived. He hoped Miguel wouldn't get jealous, or he'd have to put an end to him.

Pietro received another message and assumed it was Miguel again, but when he saw it wasn't, he paid attention to what he'd received — along with an attached photo. It was intel that Augusto was at a restaurant with Mirella.

He knew about the friends-with-benefits arrangement between the two, but that was going to end soon. He stood up, interrupted the meeting, and stormed out of the room. He had a table reserved for himself at the same restaurant and then called Debora.

"Be ready in ten minutes. I'm picking you up — you're coming to lunch with me."

Pietro didn't even wait for her to respond before hanging up. He didn't need to say anything else. He knew Debora would understand he was angry — she knew him well enough. When he was almost there, he called again and asked her to come downstairs right away.

When he arrived, Debora was already waiting. To him, she looked beautiful as always. They'd known each other since childhood. She was the only person who hadn't been afraid of him back then, and just like with his brother, he could always be honest with her.

"Alright, now will you please explain to me what the hell is going on?" she said, irritated.

"I need to go to a restaurant and I can't show up alone." He heard her laugh at his explanation.

"Who's the guy? Do I need to seduce him, or is this a jealousy play? Whenever you call me like this, there's always a man involved."

Debora also knew he was gay, so they talked openly about everything — at least when they were alone. In front of others, she kept up appearances.

"Augusto is going to be there," he answered, dead serious.

His expression shifted as he said it, and so did hers. She knew that when the subject was Augusto, Pietro lost control completely, and that was exactly what scared her — that he might lose his composure depending on what he saw.

As soon as they entered the restaurant, Pietro began scanning for the two of them. The moment he spotted them, he walked straight to their table. When Augusto saw him approaching, he looked stunned.

"Stay calm, Pietro. Stay calm," he told himself.

Mirella choked on her wine when she saw him coming.

"Pietro?" She seemed surprised.

"Mirella. Augusto." He greeted them both.

Pietro took her hand first, then reached for Augusto's. When their hands touched, it was as though an electric current shot through his body. Augusto didn't bother holding Pietro's hand for long, releasing it quickly and looking uncomfortable.

"This is Debora," he introduced her as a courtesy.

After the introductions, Pietro went to his own table. He only wanted them to know he was there. Their eyes met a few times, but Augusto never held his gaze. Mirella also kept looking at him, and he could tell what she wanted. Meanwhile, the man being watched grew visibly tense at his table. Debora played her part and observed everything. Pietro couldn't wait for the party to arrive — that was when the games would truly begin.

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