Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
“I hear you’re here for a job interview,” he remarks as he settles into an armchair that looks much more like a throne. Perhaps it’s his way of showing me he’s in charge. I won’t argue with that, not when I’m alone in his home, in his territory.
“I am,” I tell him as I settle on a chair that faces him. “I have the experience. I know this life better than most. And I’ll kill to keep a woman safe.” There is no lie in my words, and I can feel his watchful gaze assessing me.
“My new wife is young,” he informs me. “I want her watched twenty-four seven.” My blood boils at his statement, but I school my features and nod. “She’s fiery, and the only reason I’ve chosen her is because one day, she’ll gift me enough heirs to take over the Mosca Dynasty.”
Jealousy surges through me. Even though I know Lelia doesn’t want this bastard, I can’t help but feel anxious knowing his plan for her.
“She’s got a good bloodline, and there will be men lining up to steal her from me.” He doesn’t realize one of them is sitting across from him. “But I have signed the contract. Her father has confirmed I’ll get her in two weeks once she turns eighteen.”
“Very young,” I throw out, unable to stop myself, but the asshole thinks I’m impressed and chuckles haughtily. His fat fingers lace together.
“It’s how I like them,” he says, and my gaze burns right through him. Just then, two young women walk into the room carrying a tray each. One with drinks and the other with cigars. They set these down on the table between us and stop, waiting for their orders from Mosca.
“These are two I acquired not so long ago,” he murmurs, his hand tracing one of the girls’ arms, then he takes her hand and tugs. She falls into his lap. His show of dominance in this room is stifling.
The grimace on the girl’s face is apparent. She can’t be more than eighteen. There is no way. Bile surges up to my mouth, the burn of acid causing me to clench my fists. But he doesn’t notice because he’s far too enthralled by the pretty girl.
“If you work for me, you are loyal to the clan. I know your Guzzi name is nothing more than a front because your family are cowards.”
I grit my teeth. It feels like a personal attack, but I have to remind myself that he thinks I’m someone else. I nod to appease him. “I’m not like them,” I tell him. “I was born into the wrong bloodline,” I continue, hoping he’ll see the ruse for what it is.
He does laugh. The sound is throaty, as if he’s had far too much alcohol already. And it’s only three in the afternoon. I want to leave now. I need to know that the next time I walk into this house, I’m part of the clan.
“We leave for Italy the moment she arrives,” he says, shocking me. I wasn’t expecting him to take her away, but it makes sense. If he has any untoward plans for her, he’ll want to have her as far away from the Vitale clan as possible.
“Then I leave with you,” I say, keeping my voice calm and confident. I can’t fuck up now. It seems I may have a job to do. Also, I need to tell my father about my plan. All I can do is pray he doesn’t lose his shit.
“Then I think we have a deal, Mr. Guzzi. Be here on the tenth with your belongings. I doubt we’ll return to the city anytime soon.”
“Thank you, Mr. Mosca,” I say as I push to my feet. “It’s been a pleasure.” I hold out my hand, which he accepts, and we shake on it.
When I reach home, I’m amped up. My body is a live wire. My father is in his office when I walk in and I know he’s not going to be happy. When he glances up, he offers me a nod.
“We need to talk,” I tell him. “I’ve secured a position in the Mosca clan.” I don’t waste time because there is none.
His eyes are wide on me, shock creasing his wrinkled face. “What?”
“I’m going undercover to take them down.” He doesn’t respond, so I say, “He’s got young women there, none older than twenty.”
“Does this have anything to do with the Vitale girl?” When I don’t respond, he chuckles. “I didn’t expect my son to break his loyalty by falling in love with the enemy.”
“She is not the enemy,” I insist. My father could easily kill me right now. And I couldn’t blame him because I should never have gone near Lelia. But I did and there is no taking it back now.