Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
"I've been keeping an eye on things, just like you asked," I start. "This is everyone who has come to Bellissimo in the last two days. There were thirty-two civilians whose names I didn't get, of course, but everyone else is in the organization or at least affiliated."
Alessandro nods. "Good. Any suspicious behavior?"
I shake my head. "Nothing too substantial, but I did notice something odd. These last five names on the list are members who left town after the explosion. I don't know why any of them would have left, but it just seemed like something you'd want to know."
"You're right, Emilia. Thank you."
"Of course. There's also this." I click into the browser, bringing up a website. It's an article from the local paper. "This woman was found murdered yesterday. It doesn't look like a mob murder, but she's a stripper and her death is being treated as suspicious."
Alessandro frowns. "Do you have any idea why she would have been killed?"
I hesitate, not sure how much information I should be giving out, but ultimately, the truth wins. Enzo is dead, and Alessandro is the Boss now. My old boss doesn't have any secrets to keep anymore. "She was Enzo's mistress years ago. They kept seeing each other after his wife left him, but I hadn't heard him mention her in years. I just assumed he'd had enough of her. It could just be a coincidence."
Alessandro is quiet for a minute. "Why haven't I heard about this before?"
"Enzo kept it a secret."
"Who else knows?"
"I don't know. Not many. Maybe Marco. But Enzo kept it hushed up pretty tightly."
"Hm." Alessandro is staring at the screen, reading the article. I can tell he's not paying attention, though, because his hand keeps squeezing my thigh, his fingers drawing little circles over the fabric of my dress. "Good work, Emilia. This is very helpful."
"Of course. Anything you need."
"Anything?"
My mouth goes dry. "Um, yeah. Anything."
"Come upstairs with me."
He stands and adjusts his suit jacket. "Follow me up in a few minutes. We don't want any unnecessary attention."
I try not to show my disappointment. I get the reasoning, but I’m also hungry for everyone to know that the new Boss favors me. "I'll get drinks from the bar, then."
"Be there in fifteen minutes."
The old bartender, Mick, gives me a nod as I lean up against the bar, tapping my fingers on the worn wood as I wait for him to make his way over. My thoughts are elsewhere, namely upstairs with Alessandro, when a DeLuca associate sidles up next to me. I barely recognize him—someone we hire to do menial jobs—but apparently, he recognizes me. And he reeks of cheap liquor.
"Hey there, beautiful,"
I bristle, but choose to ignore him. If he keeps this up, I'll just leave.
"Can I buy you a drink, baby?"
"I'm good, thanks."
"Aw, come on. Let me get you a little somethin'."
I grit my teeth, looking him dead in the eye. "I said no. Now fuck off."
His hand comes down, groping at my ass. My breath hisses out through my teeth, and I'm just about to slap the hell out of him when a shadow appears behind us. Before I can say a word, Alessandro is there, the man's hand clenched in his fist.
"What the fuck?"
Alessandro doesn't answer. With his face contorted in rage, he raises the man's hand up, breaking his middle and index finger simultaneously. He cries out, the sound drowned out by the loud music, but he's silenced quickly as Alessandro breaks his ring finger, too.
Bellissimo is eerily quiet, even though most of the booths are full.
"If you ever put your hands on her again, I'll fucking kill you."
He lets go, and the man falls to the floor, cradling his injured hand. He's pale, his eyes wide with terror. "S-sorry, Boss. I'm sorry—"
"Get out."
I'm frozen. My heart is racing, and my eyes are locked on Alessandro. The other man stumbles to his feet and runs, but I don't even watch him leave. My attention is fully on Alessandro.
"Sandro…" His name is a whisper, and his eyes find mine. He's still in fight mode, but I know the violence isn't directed at me. "Sandro, please." My hand reaches out, touching his arm. He's stiff, but when I slide my fingers down, finding his, he takes it. "Let's go."
"Emilia—”
"Please, Sandro. Let's just go."
He looks at me for a long moment, and I can see him coming back down. His grip on me loosens, and I turn, tugging him after me.
"No one touches what's mine."
His words make my heart stutter, but I don't turn around. I keep walking, leading him out of the bar and up the back stairs to his office. The room is dark and cool, and he closes the door behind us, locking it.
"Emilia..."
"You don't need to apologize. I should have handled it before he had the chance to touch me. I just—"