The Mobster's Dance

Gia

I’m a walking cliché, in love with my best friend. Except my best friend also happens to be my brother-in-law’s charismatic younger sibling. Dante could seduce the habit off a nun, but despite spending nearly all our free time together, he’s never once turned that charm on me. I tell myself I don’t want him to, that I’m devoted to my ballet career. I’ve worked my entire life to become a prima ballerina; I can’t risk it for something as fickle as love, even if Dante wanted me the way I desire him. But after a drunken night brings us closer than ever, my carefully crafted defenses start to crumble. And when a devoted fan turns dangerous, it’s Dante I run to for help, it’s in his arms where I seek refuge. Now his embrace feels different, and I’m starting to wonder if I wasn’t the only one hiding deeper feelings under the guise of friendship.

Dante

Gia Marino is mine. She just doesn’t know it yet. From the moment I first laid eyes on her, I knew she was it for me. For months, I’ve been patient, carefully maneuvering Gia right where I want her, where she belongs: in my arms. Now that I have her, I’m not letting go. I’m the Rossi family negotiator, the son with the silver tongue. I always get what I want, and what I want is Gia. Anyone who tries to get in the way of that will soon regret it. So when someone unknown threatens the life I’ve so carefully crafted for Gia and me, it’s not a question of what I’ll do to them or how far they can run before I catch them. It’s only a matter of when I catch them and how many breaths I let them take after I do. Because where Gia is concerned, there is nothing I won’t do to protect her. Mia passerotta. Mia vita.

My little bird.

My life.

Mine.