Bought by My stepbrother, the don

Chapter 46: Perfect Place

Nico’s POV

It had been a while since I felt rage—the familiar icy coldness rising from my belly as I fixed my eyes on Carmen as she smiled at a man I recognized, simply because I made sure to know everyone, regardless of how irrelevant they seemed.

Someone who suddenly came to Marcelle City on the very day Nevarro Castilo was shot needed extra attention. Even more so when I watched him walk toward Carmen the moment she left my side, almost like he had been waiting for it.

Still, it wasn’t until I heard Martin’s voice behind me that I realized I had been staring more than I should have—something I’m always careful about, if not for watching Carmen hang her arm around Aran with ease and no sense of wariness whatsoever.

"Boss, the hall has been secured—both entrances. And I’ve called in more guards," Martin reported into my ear.

I nodded, gesturing to one of the waiters. I picked a drink from his tray—one I had no intention of taking a sip from.

That was how careful—how serious—how aware of my enemies I was.

Glancing to the side, I saw Carmen drinking from a glass—one I had never seen her order before—which meant that she hadn’t even been the one to order it.

Was I mad?

Yes.

I was beyond mad.

For different reasons, all of which boiled down to one simple truth—I should be the one by her side. She belonged to me, right up until she paid back the money she owed.

I bought her for a reason—to satisfy the desire I felt, one that was slowly growing bigger than I could contain. Enough to make me contemplate simply having my way with her and damning her feelings to hell.

It wasn’t like she wouldn’t enjoy it regardless.

Releasing a long, deep breath, I looked around the room, trying to reorient myself and calm the roaring inside of me.

I had a task.

I needed to speak to one of the top donors for today’s event and try to feel him out. All that linked him were accounts from Gotti’s incident—accounts that transferred money to Gotti’s men.

Information I had gotten by calling in a favor—things that were already few and scarce to find.

But another glance around the entire room made it obvious that "Marken Vale" was yet to arrive.

And even if he did, it annoyed me that my mind wouldn’t stay fixed on him as my gaze followed a particular woman in blue.

Walking around the hall was fine—but something that pissed me off beyond words was watching Aran blatantly flirt with her without the slightest hesitation.

Enough that he timed it.

Leaning closer to her at just the right moment. Lowering his hands to her waist to guide her before taking his arm back fast enough for her not to protest.

Worse was the fact that Carmen didn’t seem to have a problem with it.

She smiled at him, drank from her glass, and even seemed to be enjoying herself.

I seriously considered going over there and pulling her away—but making a scene was the last thing I would ever do.

Moreover, making it clear that I had authority over her would only fray the already fragile ends of whatever we had.

Instead, I stepped closer to a couple of people I knew and listened as they spoke, smiling in response and answering amicably when needed.

The woman came sooner than I expected, increasing the number in the group.

Camila—whom I was more familiar with—stayed closer than most.

She managed two of my less desirable escort businesses—ones I frequented when the urge came over me. And by the look in her eyes, that urge was clearly present in her as well.

Annoyed—but not enough to show it—I smiled and moved on to a different group, calm, one hand in my pocket while the other held my drink.

Still, my gaze drifted back to Carmen.

She was soon done moving around the hall and now simply stood with Aran, listening to him talk. His expression was civil—but even I could tell his intentions were anything but.

A waiter passed by, and I swapped my glass for another without thinking, my attention only half on the conversation around me.

The group had shifted to politics—talking about how they were all vying for the governor because he was a "good man."

It was laughable.

It wasn’t about goodness. It was about connections. About money. About who could offer more and gain even more in return.

I nodded along, agreeing just enough to avoid being dragged too deeply into the discussion, my gaze once again flicking toward Carmen.

She was still with Aran.

Still talking.

More animated now. freēwebnovel.com

There was even a hint of excitement in her eyes—something I completely despised.

"Excuse me... please," I said, stepping away from the group.

I moved behind them, heading straight toward Carmen—only to catch sight of someone I had been waiting for.

I shifted directions immediately, moving toward Marken Vale, with Martin trailing behind me.

But just as I did, I noticed Aran glance directly at me.

It was subtle—but enough to set every sense I had on edge.

He had been waiting for me.

Him speaking to Carmen wasn’t because he wanted to speak to her—it was because he was waiting for me.

I would have been impressed if the plan hadn’t been directed at me—for whatever reason.

Instead, I was irritated.

Still, I smiled as I approached Marken Vale, who was surrounded by his guards. They parted instantly, allowing me through.

"Nico!" he beamed, his wide smile not quite reaching his eyes.

He was a chubby man with the kind of face that inspired instant trust—a friendly neighbor type. His charm only amplified by his round features.

Everyone liked him.

Which was exactly why I didn’t.

"The charity gala is a success—you should be proud, I tell you," he said with a loud, jovial chuckle, clearly pleased with himself.

"...Coming from you, Nico, I am proud," he added.

I swore, if he called me Nico one more time, I would bash his face into the ground.

Not here.

But definitely before the night was over.

Maybe it was my smile—just a bit too sharp—because his expression shifted slightly as he straightened and spoke more formally.

"I saw your letter. Those accounts aren’t mine. They were hijacked a long time ago, and I was just about to declare them hacked to the authorities."

"Lost a lot of money too! I can assure you I had nothing to do with it. I hope you were not robbed of too much money," he said kindly, referring to the story I had given him about my own account being hacked.

I nodded slowly, a faint smile on my lips.

"I understand. It happens," I replied.

Especially since I had only wanted to meet him so I could watch him lie to my face.

The bashing against the ground was still going to happen.

I just needed the perfect place.

Especially since Vale was directly linked to the governor—as one of his foremost supporters.