Page 6 of Texting My Mafia Boss

I nod for him to go on.

“I have a daughter who has expressed interest?—”

“I’m afraid I’m not ready to have this conversation,” I interject.

Dante turns from the window. “Still grieving? Where’s your black suit? Where are your sunglasses?”

“You’ve been told once,” Bastian Calvi snaps.

Dante huffs. “This is the life. Me personally, if I were given the chance…” Even Dante isn’t stupid enough to openly express attraction to his boss’s daughter. Instead of finishing his statement he sulks, glaring out the window.

“That’s it, Ettore?” Ruggero says. “No discussion? Are you courting someone?”

This is none of his business. Except it is. The mob takes more than a pound of flesh. They take the whole thing.

“We’re working fine as it is,” I say.

Ruggero stares at me for a long moment. It’s hard to gauge what he’s thinking. Dante’s goons exchange a glance like they expect a scene out of a Western to break out. Behind me, I feel Mark aching for it. The release of violence.

“Very well.” Ruggero stands slowly. “Please, pass on my best wishes to your family. To that lovely daughter of yours. Does she know how important she is? How important it is, having your name?”

Dante laughs darkly.

Ruggero waves a hand at his nephew, and Bastian immediately flies across the room and backhands Dante across the mouth. “You’re a big man, now?” Bastian bellows, smacking him again. Ruggero walks slowly across the room, not even bothering tolook at them. “Get out of here before Ettore has your scalp. Laughing when the bosses are talking? Idiot.” Bastian nods in my direction as Dante follows after Ruggero. “Ettore, he’s a fool. It won’t happen again.”

“Just leave,” I grit out, my temper simmering. In my mind, this room is filled with blood.

Once they’re all gone, I pick up Dante’s cigarette and crush it in my hand.

“Some show, eh?” Mark says.

“Snakes,” I growl. “You hear that shit? Hinting that he’s going to marry my daughter off to some Calvi bastard. She turns eight in a few weeks. Animals.”

“You think that’s what Ruggero meant?”

“Don’t you?” I ask.

“Hard to tell with him. Got those ghost eyes. That mask for a face. I don’t know. That Dante’s a real piece of work, though. If you ever need him handled, let me do that personally.”

I drop the crushed cigarette in the trash and return to my desk. “This was easier when we were younger.”

“When all we had to worry about was what bones to break?” Mark whistles. “Can’t argue with that.”

CHAPTER 3

MARA

“This is a pirouette,” Sylvie says, moving through the sunroom in her socks.

“Be careful you don’t slip,” I tell her, smiling as I look down at the knitting in my lap for a moment. Just one, then my eyes are back on Sylvie.

She beams, then sits on the floor letting out a big breath.

It’s my third day on the estate, and already, it’s the best job I’ve ever had. Sylvie is cute, enthusiastic, and so bright. She’s a little haunted too. But I can relate to that. It’s a nice change not having to rush from job to job. I drive here in the morning, spend time with Sylvie, take her to playdates and practice, then drive home at night. It’s simple, clean, and easy. When she starts school next week, it will be even easier. It’s a dream job.

“Can you teach me to knit, Mara?”

I grin. “We tried that yesterday.”