Married to the Billionaire Mafia Don

d the wrinkled dollar bills from

ome over tomorrow?"

sourly before stepping back into her

mumbled and

rd way: trust no one, smile only when nece

e in uneven shapes against the graffitied brick walls. She folded the cash in her hand and shoved it into her coat. It was

d money was freedom. At least, th

er pace. Her boots - black, scuffed, and two sizes too big, crunched gravel as she crossed

ment with peeling wallpaper, broken blinds, and a heater that made noise but didn't work. He

efly considered stopping by Bobby's Deli for a cup of hot water. She kne

wn Nu

of a closed tattoo parlor an

ea

d businesslike, responded.

diately went up.

reelance database. Are you av

esponded guardedly.

enue. You'd be paid just for attending. It would only be

d. "Say th

e to do is show up, follow instructions, and behave appropriately. It's an audition of s

of audition

pa

s being tested," the woman said vaguely.

ns. Her gut twisted. Sketchy didn't even begin to cover this, but then again, ske

address," she

eive a package shortly. It will include your wardrobe, instructions

line we

-----

nmarked black car. The driver didn't speak. He ju

ny house, ignoring the raised eyebrows of her tw

with a slit up the thigh. High heels that looked like th

ed for consideration. Be at the following address by 7:

nner, with a simple NDA. Ivy read it twice. It was legal,

h her shoulder-length auburn hair. She applied just enough makeup to look

from a free sample pack. The heels were foreign ter

This time, the driver opened the door f

-----

-iron gates, and ivy curling around marble columns. Torches, actual torches, lined the driveway, and the air smell

r phone in it. Other women were arriving, each more glamorous than the

doors into a grand marble foyer. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above. A double staircase

ng. Some looked nervous. Others were already whispering to each other, comp

ler. He had silver-streaked hair, a face that l

or your appearance, poise, and potential compatibility. Tonight i

m fell

re," the butler continued. "The gentleman hosting this evening is of considerable we

ck together like billiard balls in her hea

ged tonight. Do not ask questions. Do not speak unless spo

y. One, then two, turned and

he was convinced, but because

tales. But five hundred dollars tonight, and maybe more after t

ned her name. No questions. Ivy hesitated onl

s wings of the mansion. Ivy's group ended up in a candlelit sa

d vases she could probably sell for thousands. There was money here

d, beckoning her toward a side door

ing, Ivy followed