"I'm not." I collapse onto my bed. "Trust me. It's perfect."
"That's your brilliant plan? To steal his food and eat it?"
"It's not stealing if he offers." I stare at the ceiling. "And he will offer. Because he's trying to be charming. Accommodating. The perfect gentleman. He'll spend a fortune on a meal he doesn't get to eat while watching me claim to be on a diet." I roll onto my side. "It's just the beginning, Gia. By Day Forty, he's going to be begging to walk away from me."
My phone buzzes and I glance at it.
A text from Santino. Just one line.
Santino: Tomorrow. 7pm. I'll pick you up.
I stare at the message. No question. No asking if I'm free. Just a statement.
Like he's already in charge.
I type back quickly.
Me: Perfect. Can't wait.
I set down the phone.
Gia's watching me from the doorway. "You really think this is going to work?"
"It has to." I meet her eyes. "Because if it doesn't, we lose everything."
Chapter 4: Santino
I wake up on Day Two feeling like I've got this whole thing figured out.
Liana Costa is beautiful, polite, and clearly understands her role. Last night's dinner was good. A little formal, maybe, but that's to be expected. We're still getting to know each other.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand. A text from her.
Liana: Good morning! Still on for dinner tonight? Can't wait!!!
I stare at the message. Three exclamation points. It's seven in the morning. Who's this cheerful at seven in the morning?
Me: Yes. I'll pick you up at 7.
Liana: Perfect! Just so you know, I'm on a really strict diet right now, so I'll probably just get a salad or something light. But I'm excited to see you!!!
She ends with a heart symbol. I'm starting to think this is just how she texts.
Me: Whatever you want. See you tonight.
I set down my phone and head for the shower. Tonight, I'm taking her to Marconi's, the best Italian restaurant in the city. Expensive, exclusive, romantic. The kind of place where you take someone you want to impress.
Not that I'm trying to impress her. This is still business. But first impressions matter, and I want her to know what kind of life she's going to have with me. The best of everything.
By nine, I'm at the social club where my crew does most of our planning. It's an old building in the heart of our territory,nondescript from the outside but equipped with everything we need inside. Security, privacy, and a fully stocked bar.
Bruno's already there, going through paperwork. Paulie's on his phone, probably updating his ridiculous betting pool. Tommy's in the corner, reading a newspaper like it's still 1985. And Sal's making espresso, because Sal always makes espresso.
"Morning, boss." Bruno looks up. "How's married life?"
"I'm not married yet." I drop into my chair. "Thirty-eight more days."
"Thirty-eight days," Paulie repeats, grinning. "You make it sound like a prison sentence."
