Faked A Dark Mafia Romance - Vanessa Waltz Page 0,27

and corrupt flew in at invitation-only to network and make multibillion-dollar business deals. It was also a major human trafficking hub.

I hadn’t bothered investigating because a mafia boss from Boston didn’t pull any weight on Leda, and I’d assumed Anthony had been sold to a local rival syndicate and murdered.

“They sent me a proof-of-life video. He’s there. I’m getting him back,” Nico said, his fat face melting with a smile. “All I have to do is give him the girl. Liana.”

A tide of nausea crawled up my throat.

Michael exhaled a ragged breath. “Again, we are not giving Liana away because it’s up to me, her brother, not you.”

“It’s not up for debate.”

“You might be boss, but there are rules.” Michael’s voice strained like a piano string, his growl darkening. “Break them, and you better be ready for the consequences.”

Nico closed his eyes as though to shut out everything. “You’d understand if it was your son.”

Michael shot upright, upsetting his chair. “I’m supposed to stand by and watch one of those animals marry my sister? No fucking way.”

“Michele,” Nico warned. “Remember who you’re talking to.”

I couldn’t believe Nico would sink so low.

This was the man who’d harped on the importance of family at every get-together. Blood is thicker than water was his constant refrain. Never mind that he’d picked an outsider to succeed him. And now, he was willing to sacrifice his niece for his impotent son.

The hypocrisy stabbed me in the brain, provoking a white-hot response in my body. Pain spiked into my head from my clenched teeth. I wanted to rip him apart.

“She’ll be raped, Nico.”

Nico jerked his head. “The president gave me his word he won’t mistreat the girl.”

“Do you know what this will do to my mother?” Michael exploded, his nostrils flaring. “You’re forcing her to be a hostage.”

“We are making this deal,” Nico fired back. “I forgive you for screwing up with Crash, but you need to meet me halfway.”

No.

My hands shook as I fought to keep them from wrapping Nico’s throat. Michael met my gaze. Bloodlust glazed his red eyes. He would attack Nico. If I didn’t defuse the situation, he’d beat the shit out of Nico, and it would end with him dead. We couldn’t kill a boss and escape untouched. The hired guns outside would make sure of that.

“It’s done,” Nico said, interpreting our silence as mute acceptance. “Killian’s picking her up right now.”

My stomach knotted as I pictured the president throwing Liana over his shoulder.

I had to do something.

“Nico, I’m dating Liana.” I licked my lips, grasping. “I actually…I just asked her to marry me, and she said yes. We’re engaged.”

Nico set down the bottle, a ring of burgundy staining the tablecloth. “Bullshit.”

I needed to sell this.

If I didn’t, I had no idea what I’d do. “I swear to God, I’m marrying her.”

He fisted my hair, digging the barrel into my temple. “I’ll put my gun up your ass for lying to me, boy.”

“Nico, come on. We’ve known each other since we were kids.” He’d have to confirm the news at least, and that’d buy me time to talk to Liana. “I never told you, but I’ve been seeing her for a few months.”

Michael stared at me before he had the sense to wipe his expression. “He’s telling the truth.”

I met Nico’s pitiless gaze. It wouldn’t be good enough. He was desperate. He’d do anything to save his son, even order me to break my fucking engagement.

“There are other women, Vincenzo.”

His bitter voice bottomed out my stomach.

I blurted the first thing that came to mind—“Nico, she’s pregnant.”

Eleven

Liana

Three days passed, but the memory of Vinn’s mouth ghosted mine in the shower, pressed into me at work, and swirled my head with doubt. The intimacy of those kisses burned me. As did the ache when I pulled away. Whenever I replayed his flicking tongue and that initial jolt of surprise, sparks flooded my cheeks and spread everywhere.

He'd kissed me like he’d waited his entire life for a taste, and that poked a splinter of hope into my pessimism. Maybe he had feelings for me. People's opinions changed, didn’t they? Michael had clashed with Carmela before falling for her.

I needed to stop thinking about Vinn.

I had to reorient myself and find the level-headedness that had severed him from my life, but I couldn’t think about dating without wondering if I’d recapture the dreamlike intensity of that kiss.

I clocked in from my lunch break, returning to the glass-walled cafe. It faced Bourton University's limestone buildings, the