The tap tap tap of her heels as she walked away only died down when a car roared to life. I turned from the spot she had left me in watching as her car pulled past us. A Ferrari F8 Spyder with red leather seats and a black widow driving it. Seemed fitting but proved that she was absolutely not on the city payroll but someone else’s.

Who the hell was this woman?

“What is the plan now, boss?” Enzo looked at me, waiting for new orders but I wasted enough time with this all. It would have to wait until whatever business my father had for me was done.

I had to get to dinner and then start making calls because my club would be opening tomorrow with or without that little princesses help.

2ILARIA

“Sorry Papa, there was a mad man trying to threaten me at work.”

I kissed his cheeks in greeting at the restaurant, turning to his friend and smiling as he stood to greet me. This was the man who my papa had made the contract with, the one who he said had a son who was of the best character and would secure me the best match.

Usually papa didn’t involve me in his business.

Yes, he gave me a job in the city to sign off on things and influence but for the most part I played a silent game and wasn’t the mafia princess a lot of my cousins were. But Mama had begged him to get me a good match and she believed in the betrothal contract, and had spoken about it passionately my whole life. It had brought her papa, her greatest love and me, her heart.

She had passed away almost two years ago and the ache of that loss was still something that I hadn’t quite gotten over.

“Ah, bella, even more beautiful than your old papa let on.” He kissed my cheeks in greeting, “I am Luciano Luchese. You and my son are going to be a very beautiful couple.”

At his last name I grimaced. Trying not to let on that the person who had made me late for the meeting also shared the name

Fuck.

What would the chances be?

Well aware that Luciano Luchese was the Don of the Boston family I couldn’t quite remember what his son's name was. But I was really hoping that it wasn’t the asshole that just had cornered me.

I sat down, reaching for the glass of wine and taking a deep sip to steady the nerves that were crawling their way up my throat as I thought of the good looking man from earlier today.

All that dark hair swept back, classic Ray Bans like he was JFK, that exquisitely tailored Tom Ford with the subtle pinstripe, black shirt unbuttoned showing off a few gold chains and inky black tattoos underneath, paired with Gucci oxfords. He had smelled like temptation and sin, all smoke and thick cologne. All wrapped up like a forbidden Christmas present that just wanted to be unwrapped or, in my case, one that I had kicked and stepped on instead of accepting.

“Your son wouldn’t happen to be Dante? The one opening that big club over on Causeway Street?” The words came out between sips of wine as I crossed my fingers under the table hoping for a small miracle.

I didn’t want to make eye contact as I sipped heavily on the wine because as he chuckled I knew the answer.

Fuck me.

At least I had arrived first and knew what I was getting into. Part of me was pleased that Dante would have to walk into this meeting and see me here, already knowing he was my intended.

Already knowing how comfortable I was with telling him no.

I knew he was a made man when I saw him but didn’t realize quite how high up he was..

His little pip squeak man had come in all begging and promises of favors from his boss if I signed something.

There was no reason to not sign it but it was past closing and I had the meeting. Enzo had pushed me to stay and help him out. Him not respecting my time had made me furious. That had been the reason I hadn’t signed it. And the fact that Enzo had talked down to me hadn’t helped.

Men who expected things out of women by only giving them their smooth smiles and false promises were the devils of the world.

Dante showing up to try to make his case when I was already outside had been intriguing.

He was good looking in the classic New England Italian way. He looked like all the people I grew up with, they cleaned up nice and they all tried to have that Cape Cod 1960’s elegance. A bunch of boys playing at old money look with rap sheets a mile long.

“Do you know him? He has big dreams, my boy. He will make a good provider for you and your children, God willing.”  His father spoke of him with such pride in his voice. Having only one child could do that. It’s the same tone my father spoke of me in.

All the blood left my body as I thought about the man I had pondered hitting with my car being the father of my children.

I should have hit him.

The way he had just expected me to roll over and do what he said as he talked to me in that tone men took when they thought they could seduce a woman into doing what they wanted with a smile. What a fucking pig. How he had the audacity to cage me in with his man like I was no-one.

Wait until he saw me sitting next to my father: Gerado Riccio. The North End Butcher. And the most notorious hitman in the last thirty years. He had held a dangerous position but even with him and Mama having both been frequent guests at parties I was kept separate from everything.

Their protected little gem.

My father didn’t take jobs anymore and was considered to be mostly retired but he was given respect. My marriage to a Luchese, the boss of the Boston family, is a huge honor for our family. A sign that my father was the most loyal of soldiers and deserved to be treated higher than others.

It was just unfortunate that honor was to Dante Luchese.

My future husband.

There wasn’t going to be enough wine tonight.

“My apologies for keeping you waiting. There was a small delay at City Hall. You know how there is always someone who thinks their job is important.”

His voice was like ice in my veins and I vaguely debated on throwing the glass of wine at his face but instead I threw my head back, letting him catch sight of me as I stared at him, letting him take in who he had just insulted.

The way he froze when his eyes landing on me, pausing in front of the chair across from me that he was supposed to sit at. It only took him a moment to recover

My eyes were on him as he unbuttoned his jacket before sitting down, playing coy like he didn’t just try to strong arm me or insult me..

“Does someone think their job is important, Demon, or are you just a megalomaniac?” My words came out so easily, before I could stop them and compose myself to play the role of the pretty little wife.

I sat back, finishing my glass of wine and looking for a refill as he reached for the wine, pouring himself a glass first before he poured me one.

Piece of shit.

“Dante Luchese.” He repeated his name like I had made a mistake calling him Demon.

It hadn’t been.

“Should we take bets now or later?” My father was amused as he teased Luciano. The gloss in his eyes as he looked between Dante and me. He was amused by the animosity between the two of us.

My fathers hand landed on mine as he looked at me, he was giving me the look that made it clear this was my choice and I could say no to the man.