The Lipstick on My Don’s Cigar

I left the estate that night. I called my father from the car.

"I'm calling off the engagement. And the alliance. I'm pulling De Luca money and supply lines out of his territory."

My father is the Don. The head of the De Luca family. He stayed quiet for two seconds.

Then he said, "Done. But keep up appearances. Until our books and ships are clear, smile. Don't let the other families smell blood."

After that, the silent treatment started.

Nico blocked my number. Just like every time we fought.

He was so sure of himself. He thought I'd cave.

He waited for me to crawl back to his estate and beg.

Just like I did for the last five years.

But I didn't.

A whole week went by. Complete radio silence.

Then the phone rang. It was the Rinaldi Underboss.

"Miss Isabella. It's the Boss's birthday party tonight. Eyes are on us. If you don't show, the streets will talk. They'll question the alliance."

I had to cover my family's withdrawal. I couldn't give them a reason to doubt. So, I went to their private club.

I pushed open the VIP doors. I saw Nico instantly. Dead center on the couch.

And Ruby. Practically sitting on his lap.

The cheap stripper. Now his "personal secretary." She was whispering in his ear. Way too close.

Her top was cut dangerously low. Her chest was basically pressed against his face.

They looked like they were sharing some filthy secret. Shutting the whole world out.

Nico stared at her bright red lips. His Adam's apple bobbed. His eyes were dark. He looked ready to swallow her whole.

It made me sick.

I looked away. I walked straight to the bar and poured a heavy glass of whiskey.

Minutes later, a shadow fell over me.

I looked up. Nico. Too handsome for his own good.

He stared down at me. That familiar, annoyed look on his face.

"Isabella. Where's my gift?"

In the past? I would have prepped for months. It was his birthday.

Last year, I spent six months scouring the black market. I found him Wyatt Earp's antique revolver.

He pinned me to the wall that night. He kissed me like a madman.

He promised we'd rule the city's underworld together. King and Queen. He said he'd give me everything.

Looking back, it was a sick joke.

"I forgot." I took a sip of the burning liquor. My voice was dead.

Nico's eyes went black. His voice dropped into a furious hiss. "Isabella! Over a stupid little thing! You drag this out for a week!"

I stared at the lipstick smudge on his jawline. I wanted to throw up.

"I'm not making a scene. The engagement is off. I mean it."

Nico froze for a split second. Then Ruby grabbed his hand. He relaxed.

"I'm so sorry, Miss Isabella. It's all my fault."

Ruby’s eyes were red. Her voice shook. But she shoved her chest out proudly.

"I know I'm just a stripper. Even as a secretary, I don't deserve Nico's attention. If you're mad, I'll disappear! You'll never see me again!"

She looked up at him. Playing the victim.

"Boss. Just acknowledging me when you visit the clubs is enough. Trash like me doesn't belong at Mafia dinners anyway."

Nico pulled her into his arms. He looked so heartbroken for her.

"Shut up, Ruby. Don't apologize."

He glared at me. "Isabella, when did you get so vicious? Bullying her with your family name. You make me sick!"

Ruby started crying. Fake tears.

"Don't say that, Boss! Miss Isabella has a temper, sure. But she's your fiancée. You should go after her. I don't want you fighting over me."

She turned her head. Smirking at me from his chest.

"But Miss Isabella... woman to woman? You are overreacting. The Boss hasn't slept in days. You made him so mad."

She sighed.

"I don't think you two fit anyway. But you have a mafia pact. Just let it go."

"Ruby," I said. "You know what I admire most about you?"

"Your utter lack of shame. You play the victim. You steal another woman's man. And you act like it's your goddamn right."

Her smirk vanished.

Nico exploded.

"Isabella! Who the hell gave you the right to insult her?"

My nose stung. I couldn't hold it back anymore.

"Insult? Really? Then explain the jewelry, Nico. Why does she have the exact same sets you bought me? Flaunting them in my face! Why does the whole family know every detail of our fights? Twisted by her words! And why does she know about the lightning bolt tattoo on your inner thigh?!"

"Enough!"

Nico raised his hand.

Smack.

A vicious slap. Right across my face.

I stumbled back.

I tasted blood. Hot and metallic.

The room spun. Then my vision cleared.

Everyone in the VIP room was staring. Some pitied me. Most were laughing. Loving the show.