Conquered by the Mafia Boss

“Do you ever get tired of people sucking up to you?”

He lets out a long sigh as he guides me out of the restaurant. “Why do you always say whatever’s in your head?”

I slip my hand into his as we walk down the street, and a smile pulls at his lips.

“Do you want me to be a sycophant like everyone else?”

“No.” He stops in the middle of the sidewalk and tugs my arm so that I fly into his chest, and then he looks down at me through smoldering eyes. “I want you to shut up and kiss me.”

The moment I feel his breath on my lips, I lean forward because I’m tall enough in these heels to catch his lips. Something more than desire heats up inside me as he curves his arm around my waist and kisses me back right in the middle of the sidewalk. It feels as though there’s something leaping inside my stomach and a breathless wave of happiness hits me as he pulls back and smiles.

“It’s so nice to meet you!”

A woman I’ve never seen before in my life embraces me and bumps her cheek against mine. I get a strong whiff of perfume and for a moment I’m dizzied by the smell. She looks like a richly decorated tree with her golden bracelets and necklace. All I have is my gaudy engagement ring that still needs to get sized. Her manicured nails seize my hand as she catches a glimpse of it.

“Oh my God, it’s gorgeous! You must be so excited!”

“Uh-yeah.”

I’m practically bursting with excitement.

“Have you set a date?”

I resist the urge to glance at Johnny. “Not yet.”

“Well, I can’t wait. Lovely to meet you!”

My head spins as the next person sidles into view, her teeth nearly cracking from her fake smile. “It’s such an honor.”

An honor? I’m only here because we didn’t use a condom.

“Thanks for coming.”

Then the next one comes along, and the next. They treat me as though I’m a goddamn queen, but I’m just waiting for my dad to show up and cause a huge scene. I stand at Johnny’s side like a prop as a line of guests greet him one by one, sucking up to the don.

“Hey, there he is!”

Here we go again. Another one.

One of his captains wraps his arms around Johnny and gives him a kiss on both cheeks.

“Congratulations, Johnny,” he says, giving me an admiring look. “You’re a lucky guy.”

“Thanks,” he says, beaming.From NôvelDrama.Org.

“So what’s the plan after this? You’re going to get married right away?”

“That’s what I’d like, but I’d prefer to get her old man’s approval.”

Never going to happen.

“Isn’t he here?”

“Not yet.”

He turns his head, looking at the small group of people, and then I recognize him as François, the man who hit on me in the bar right before Johnny cock-blocked him. François shrugs and turns back toward his boss.

“Do we have time to talk a little business?”

“What do you have for me?”

François bends his head, his grin splitting his face into two. “Really fucking good news. We’ve got the keys. We’re going to be fuckin’ rich.”

The boss’ face remains impassive at the news. “Good.”

“We got one of the girls to fuck him upstairs while Tommy and I took his keys and made a copy. He won’t have any idea.”

“Keep your fucking voice down.”

What the hell are they talking about?

“Right, this isn’t the time.”

Whatever it is, it’s got my fiancé on edge. I don’t know much about his work, other than what everyone else already knows: construction scams, extortion, the ubiquitous money-laundering Salerno cheese, etc.

“No sign of my future in-laws so far.”

He should be glad they aren’t here.

It’s a peaceful, quiet party. Pristine white dishes sit on the rustic tables, the waiters slowly gathering them as I sit in one of the wooden chairs of the outdoor garden of Le Zinc. I’m possessed by a sleepy lull brought on by a full stomach, and darkness slowly descends over the party. Soft lights in the trees illuminate the tables.

A tall man with rugged good looks walks into the courtyard, a baby in his arms. Johnny’s small circle breaks to greet him, “Tony!” A small woman, who I’m assuming is Tony’s wife, gives Johnny a scathing look and heads for my table, ignoring him completely. She looks unhappy to be here.

She’s my new favorite person.

The men crowd around the baby, and a huge grin lights up Johnny’s face when it reaches out and grabs his finger.

“She has a strong grip.”

Smiling, I turn back to the woman, who watches her baby anxiously. She notices me and smiles reluctantly.

“Hi, sorry, I’m Elena.”

“I’m Maya.”

We shake hands and she falls back into her chair, looking at me curiously.

“I’m the one who got knocked up.”