LOGINAs my feet begin to feel unsteady, one of the older mafia men approaches the don."I, Capo Jack, am but a humble servant of the great mafia king, Don Federico," he says. "And every king deserves to have a beautiful woman by his side."He snaps his fingers.Ten women all dressed in short gold dresses
"Don Federico," James breathes out quietly. His eyes suddenly grow wide and wild as he glances at the don, then his father, and finally at me.I take a page out of Alessia's book and smile. James is finally realizing just who the man I'm working for—the man he claims "took me away"—is.If I wasn't b
But a deal is a deal, so I take a step closer to him.It's easy taking off the don's vest. I make sure to carefully fold it and put it to the side. Now it's time to tackle the disaster zone.I start unbuttoning his shirt from the collar down. The worst of the wine spill is near the top of the shirt,
Despite my harsh words, James doesn't lash out. I forgot that he can be extremely patient at times—he's been so strange to me these past few days. But as he takes a deep breath to calm himself, I'm reminded that I do know him.I've seen this action a thousand times during little arguments during the
Would he really kill me over something like this?The don's friend, Capo Matteo I believe, gives me a clue of just how badly I've messed up. He's smiling sweetly, but his eyes show nothing but murderous rage. He quickly wipes the worst of the spilled wine off his hands with a deep chuckle."This has
Federico couldn't believe how rude some of these guests were behaving. Is it because they're holding the banquet at his friend Capo Matteo's estate? Perhaps Federico will need to hold future parties at his own estate so that no one below him grows too comfortable.For now, a glare sends the louder m
I look at the offending clause, hesitating. Something must show on my face because Don Federico gets up from his seat and walks over. He leans over my shoulder, eyes instantly finding the problem."I'm not interested in your body, Hailey," he says. "At least not sexually. You're far too thin."I sig
I swallow my surprise. This man really has his servants do everything. It's crazy people still live like this.In fact, the don resembles a medieval noble more than a mafia boss. Which makes my job less like that of a personal assistant and more like that of a personal maid.Since I don't have a dea
"I'm aware of that," I say, my eyes trailing down to his hand on my neck. The pressure he's applied is strong and firm, but not enough to choke me. So, against my screaming instincts, I don't struggle—I can't risk Don Federico grabbing me tighter, even by mistake.My answer seems to take the don off
James' face instantly softens."I heard the news about him this morning at work. Hailey, believe me, I never would want you dead."I scoff. "No, you just want the threat of death looming over me so I'll be desperate enough to take you back."James doesn't say anything. He just looks guilty.I brush p







