ater cascaded over her scalp. For a moment, it was almost peace

eb

she'd told herself about marrying Diego for love... all burnt to ash. She had thought she'd live in luxury. S

relax. The hands in her hair

ronation?" one woman whispere

s eyes sn

ay?" she asked, lifti

f them smiled, eyes bright with gossi

fia king," a

ellano will be crowne

. "Damien Castellano!!" sh

rld didn't just rule - it owned

ity had held its breath, waiting for

.. it was

ellano was t

ssa asked, he

" one of th

blinked.

owering her voice. "I think the underworld rul

dded, murmurin

a giggle. "I want to look my best. Tom

y laughed among themselves, bu

power...

rthy of that kind of event.

-her smir

through her min

going to make sure she

tter t

leaned in, casually tossing h

o they still... I mean, is there still some kind

women chuckl

n the auc

vous laugh. "Yes-ex

mped in, eyes gle

uction off maids to serve the new God

ing a secret. "Wealthy mafia lords and businessmen compete to buy the most expensi

ead. "I always wonder... who gets to en

o brought the maid. That's their reward. The Godfather g

to a greedy grin as her mind raced. She shot up fro

he counter. "I suddenly remem

d out of the salon, her he

*

*

*

sion was unreadable - a mix of excitement and calculation dancing in her eyes. She didn't even bother

her voice sharp and urge

glanced toward the kitchen before rising with a weary sigh

d under his breath as he followed h

licked shut

Diego asked, already

wering her voice like she was sharing something sa

furrowed. "Wha

ickly. "A real one this time. But you

lliant ideas? After selling our hou

bitter laugh.

going to be an auction to

th confusion. "Corona

odfather is tomorrow, and there'll be an auction of maids. Men from the underworld, fro

s the Godfather?" Die

ll not getting it. "Our ch

the Mafia circles. If we put someone up... and the right

k. "Marissa... what

make enough money fast. Whoever owns the girl gets

step back. "You wa

dismissively. "It's more like... offering her a c

. "Who, Marissa? Who d

first. She just gave him

as the realization dawned on him, his eyes wid

x this! You already sold everything else. This girl does n

a choice, Diego.