eeks

an cigar from my cou

or is a game of poker with the other Made Men. But it's his right to be the ball-buste

e in the private lounge at Swank, the nightclub built by my

ut?" Al chomps on his cigar and sw

Family construction and real estate companies, which I keep mostly above-board, other than calling in favors

oey, Al's younger brother, is technically in line to inherit the throne, but I'm not sure his heart is in it the way Carlo's is. There may eventual

cktail waitress who comes in with a tray full of drin

nghini." She drops a cocktail napkin

I hand her a hundred-dollar bill because I apprecia

s, and I look up. "Um, your...u

n apartment to be available to me. It worked out for a couple of months, but she e

hree weeks ago, but she

me?" I ask Carlo, and the rest

ppy seconds, cugino. Although sh

his case, I suspect his hesitation to date has everything to do with Al's daughter, Summer. I've seen the way he watches her from

her to get l

s girl. Plus, I'm already sitting down, and Al's ready to start the game. I don't

wiftly around the room, emptying Al'

ry to make you

where the $100 bill disappeared. "I've got your

the cards. "You having trouble

h, fuck of

s me with a tough-guy look. "I

m when we cut them loose. Al's asking me if Stacy knows anything and is she crazy or manipulative enough to turn on me. To

needs to be dealt with. Because the Family does no

em. She's nothing," I say. I need

pped dating strippers and settled down with a real woma

ick up my cards. "I don't see you br

'm looking. I also don't make a habit o

ar in the ashtray to fan his cards in front of his

had a wife, even when our marriage was shit. But Al's right, I'm definitely treating my wome

er financially, and she makes herself available to m

And I love holding power over my woman. It turns me on. I'm good to them–don't get me wrong. I spoil my girls rotten. And that's why I get to call the shots.

Carlo jerks his thumb toward the

actually allow them into my life. In the business we're in, it's too dangerous. You can't mix psycho with La Famiglia. People will get killed.

the conversation to one of the other soldiers whose

od. Olive is sitting up. Cute as fuck.

sed about you coming

ich is essentially just a book club where they drink wine and talk about dirty romance novels. S

eet, but no part of me misse

ver doing tha

ness being here considering every dollar I earned cutting hair this week needs to go to the rent on both my apartment and the salon, but i

and moves the glasses from her tray onto the bar. The bartender

mn, that's good money. The

erhears and shakes his head a

ord for me next time there's an opening

accident this past year left me with a pile of medical bills, and for two months I couldn't work because I couldn't stand. I've been sc

he salon," Gina says. "You don't need a s

he's going to strike up a conversation but hasn't worked up the nerve yet–gives

her head toward the back room, the private area where the owne

way I'm getting involved with

duce you. There's one guy in partic

w why I'm even asking. I am not inter

tipper. He's hot an

g to insert himself in the conversatio

y is hot, he'll tear the guy's head off." Leo is her heavily-

t also possessive and jealous

tanding by the door looking every inch the beefy badass bouncer. He catches her looking, and they share a smile.

ng all Gina's drinks, and she loa

ou a drink?" The g

water because every dollar in my purse is earmarked for rent. I have an eviction notice posted on my apartment door that I need to take care of

kay. I'll have

and I get served right away becau

music which has been turned up as the club transi

exi," I

hand out, and I shake it. It's sw

drink if it means I'm stuck making weird small t

What do

and rescue me. But the place is filling up. She's busy working the tables along the walls that are fi

I'm in

ressed and carries himself. I'm not judging, just observing. I'm not one to poke holes in anyone else's financial situation when mine is so shitty. Sti

my head. "I'm good, thanks." I slide off the barstool I was camped o

or the drink. I'm

leave now, things are

e. "I know, but I'm working tomo

teeth to keep from shaking off his

hank you, though. It wa

arrives with my drink, not catching

w you have to stay." He flashes a smile

l. Always be nice and polite. Never hurt anyone's feelings or insult them. Alway

g to go to the bathroom," I say. Call me a

he coming back part. I exit and head toward the back door. It's an emergency-only exit, but I can pro

fingers close around my arm,

ed suitor who apparently thinks he

like I just screwed him out of five hundr

o figure out if I'm going to tell the t

away from him, but he hangs

," he accuses. Apparently, I o

, I tried to refuse the second one. Now let go." I yank h

you telling your friend y

ng this conversati

pes the bouncer at the door will notice and throw this guy out when a d

nd shoves him up against the wall. Jayden lets go and stays

gruff, gravelly rumble. He's an extremely hot, older

A mo

se complaining about people isn't polite. But I'm way too pi

on to Jayden. "When a woman says n

He's just as beefy and tattooed as Leo, but it's the mob boss–Mr.

nners?" Mr. Manghini asks. When Jayden doesn'

ut his face is turning red from lack of oxy

he bouncer. "Throw him out. He was assaulting a customer." Then he

arm, fine. "No." I start to say, "It's okay," but bit

ently slides his palm over the skin I'm rubbing. His fingers are large. They look strong

can do with those hands. What it would be like to have those

scotch and cigars, but it's not unpleasant. "And you're shaking. I'm sorr

g completely different about this guy's vibes. Somehow I'm sure that he wouldn't be douchy enough to think

obby." He ex

To Jayden, it was hard and cold. Ruthless, even. Bobby stands at least six feet tall, with broad shoulders perfectly draped in an A

hes my back to guide

unge swings open. "Bobby, you coming back?"

esn't look away from

s different from the attention Jayden gave me back at the bar. Jayden's attention felt intrusive, where

he escorts me through the clogged

n's place. My company bui

g to ask for a job." I adjust

crutiny is intense. It's not sexual, but my body responds sexu

a day job, but I'd love to pick up a fe

omes over. "

orry, I left t

an I get you,

beside us. "This is the guy I was telling you about." She bumps m

arches my face, then h

na's smile is mischievous. I imagine she

ch a thing? There

ike you two mig

r bullshit because he narrows his ey

needs a su

s like if I can't see Bobby, he can't see me

off my face. "You want a su

his is all Gina's fantasy.

. "I might be in the ma

ze what this is. "Oh no." I shake my head and

d to show me there's no ring. "Not married

st, even though we're standing still. "I'm not a pro

drink when it arrives. He's still considering me. "Sounds like y

Spoi

ife. I've dated players and cheaters. They cared more abou

yself out for a sugar daddy, but the idea is definitely growing on

eet somewhere? A way to put my name in for the position? Maybe he requires a resume outlining my best fe

my lips. "Yeah, maybe," I admit. Oh God. I must be

vouches for me. Way to lay it right out there,

No drama. Would do anything for a friend

he qualities he's looking for i

obby ch

t to the person who has taken the bar stool I occupied earlier.

this guy focused on taking care of me. How long ha

my sister and I were latch-key kids. My dad lived in Pittsburgh, so we weren't with him all

onto it. When I'm settled, he keeps his hands there and gives me a wink. I feel it in my core, my bel

tray of drinks and di

den's fingers, and he scowls, brushing the backs of his fingers o

skin because I suspect he mean

at least put-off. Civilized

But I'

I'm tu

her nipples protrude through

and mahogany, cut in the latest style, so it falls in soft wavy layers aro

So you

eyes on me like she's eager to please.

onder you l

p from the moment I heard that stronzo in the back say she was looking for a sugar daddy. Knowing what a girl wants makes n

e reins.

l let me ca

rrangement–exactly w

girl. My crazy-radar is on now after S

nd quick to let me know she didn't make this a practice. She doesn't sell her body fo

but it's more of a patronage or honorarium than a direct payment. I get to pl

id it seem like Gina was pimping me o

ere, she just proved wh

ou're intere

ssed laugh. "I'm not sure what I'm answering. Is there a position I apply for?" She's flirting now, leaning forward in her chair, her short s

, if I don't want to get between them in a far more intimate way. I lower my head, hands resti

to mine, lengthening her slender neck. I spy a tiny sunburst

s the kiss, I deepen it, meeting her soft pillowy lips, stroking across the

m her mouth fully, my tongue penetrating the seam of her lips,

her out of here. I want her on a bed w

er open. "Was that p

girl. So

her face and kiss her again

up at me from under long lashes, h

ready to move on to the ne

at the corners. "Wha

ard the front doors. "W

hips to help her hop down off the bar stool. Picking up her purse,

e on the way out, and her f

we can drive together in her ride, so she fee

ow." I detect embarrassment in her rueful laugh

he Four

s rise, and I kno

or for her to hand her in. When I open the door on my side, I hear her

start up the car. "Ar

Um, a l

this isn't a real audition. I

'm not sure what

irl is disarming. She's so ge

little body of yours with me. You don't hav

ndersta

nt. If I need something fr

nts me to lead. I thought I picked up submissiv

t any point, I will. I come on strong, and I pla

hat I mean by playing rough. I lean over and brush my lips

ting I'll make you sc

that goes straight to my cock. "Oh really?

I deliberately

if I'm one of those women who

t kind of assholes she's dated who couldn't worship tha

rmined to make her forget every cock-sucker

ets." I gun my Porsche to surge into the gap in tra

I glance over. "Does my

y from the dash. "Sorry. It's not your driving. I just g

nd wonder if there's a story there. I'm about to as

merica? Either way, yeah.

parents are

er I'm in La Cosa Nostra–the mafia. Or maybe she al

arts a glance at me. "I'm sorry-do y

ation, but you never know. I would sure hate to find

I soften the words with quirked lips. "Both my par

She

rsation. For your safety and mine." I pull into the

ead, a slight tremor runs through her

limbs out before I reach it. "You're safe. If we strike an arrangement, my busi

p to mine for another kiss. She softens into me, her

clerk gives me the keycard and directs us to the elevator. As soon as the doo

Still n

." I murmur