All Chapters of The Sex Symbol the Don Will Never Keep: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Vincenzo got out of bed without a word.I stared at his back.The scratch marks I left last night trailed from his shoulder blades down to the dimples of his lower back. The dark purple hickey on his neck was coldly hidden away as he pulled on his turtleneck."Are you mad?" I tried to keep my voice soft.His hands paused on his tie."...Vincenzo?""Shut up."I froze.He slipped on his suit jacket, not even glancing at me.The door slammed shut, making the whole penthouse shudder.I sat on the bed, hugging my knees. I stared at where he just sat. The sheets were still warm.Strange.What's wrong with asking for money?He’s the Don of New York. He sneezes, and the East Coast catches a cold. Is he really short on cash for a Ferrari?The man burns through half my yearly acting salary on cigars every month.I hesitated and grabbed my phone. My thumb hovered over his name for a long time.Then, I put it down.When Vincenzo is in a bad mood, it’s best to stay away.After seven years, I know t

I stepped out of the shower, wrapped in a robe, and checked my phone. The Page Six headline was gone.Refresh. The photo grid on Twitter was gone, too.I typed "Vincenzo Genevieve" into the search bar. Scrubbed from the internet.I chuckled.Only one person in New York had the power to do that.True, a marriage between two major families involved both the legal and underground worlds. They couldn't make a public spectacle of it.But if it wasn't true, why go to such lengths to delete it?I tossed my phone onto the bed.No wonder he walked out without looking back yesterday. He was getting married. He couldn't even be bothered to buy me gifts anymore.Too bad. I never got the deed to this penthouse.For the next three days, Vincenzo didn't call. I didn't either.When Martha brought in my breakfast, she hesitated."Miss, the Boss hasn't...""Martha," I stirred my coffee. "Did he say I need to move out?""...No, but—""Then we're fine."I smiled.But on the fourth morning, I stood in the

A week later, I stood outside Atelier Blanc on Fifth Avenue.The boutique sold limited-edition haute couture. Every piece was one-of-a-kind.A-list Hollywood actresses killed for an appointment. The waitlist was usually three months long.I pushed the door open and walked in."Welcome—" The salesgirl looked up. Her eyes lit up. "Miss Chloe! What can I help you find today?""Any new arrivals?""Of course! Right this way. We just got some exclusive pieces from Paris."She led me to the VIP fitting area in the back.Halfway there, I heard a familiar laugh."This dress is gorgeous. You'll look like an angel, Gigi."I looked up.Genevieve sat on a white leather sofa. She held a glass of champagne, watching someone in the fitting room.Next to her sat a girl in her early twenties. Dark hair, red lips, and features like a porcelain doll.My salesgirl whispered in my ear. "That's Bianca Conti. Miss Genevieve's cousin."Just then, Genevieve turned and saw me.Her smile faltered for a second, th

I watched the pocket watch on the table. The silver gleamed in the moonlight.It took me back to a winter night five years ago.My mother died of cancer. I sat in the cemetery all night. I held her urn from dusk till dawn.Snow fell through the night. Snow gathered on my shoulders like a shroud.Just before dawn, Vincenzo walked over in a black trench coat. He smelled of gunpowder."Why are you here?" My voice was hoarse."Lorenzo said you didn't come home." He sat down. "I blew off a shootout in Sicily."He took off his coat and draped it over my shoulders. He pulled this pocket watch from his inner pocket."This was my father's. He died holding it."The old Don died in a car bombing. Vincenzo knelt at the scene all night. He pried this watch from his father's dead hands."Why give it to me?""Because I have no one else important left to lose." His eyes, for once, were stripped bare. "Chloe, you can ask me for anything with this watch. As long as it's not murder, I'll say yes.""As lo

"Wait—"Right as I hung up, a loud crash echoed from the yacht in the distance.Smash!Harper and I both jumped. We turned toward the river.On the deck of the yacht, someone kicked over the champagne tower. Liquor sprayed everywhere.Then I saw Vincenzo stride out onto the balcony.He wore a black tuxedo, but his face was dark as a stormy sky.Genevieve stood in the middle of the deck in a white gown, holding a bouquet.She looked terrified. Absolute fear filled her eyes.Even from across the water, I could feel the cold fury rolling off him.It looked like he was trying to confirm something. He cast a glance toward my restaurant.Then he grabbed Genevieve's left hand. He didn't slip the ring on. He shoved it on.Fireworks burst over the river. Golden lights lit up the night sky.Guests on the deck erupted in applause and cheers.Only I knew how utterly cold this proposal was."So romantic." Harper sighed. "Even though the guy doesn't look too happy."I kept my eyes on the scene, a sm