by Cala Riley
Copyright @ 2019 by Cala Riley
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, except brief quotes used for reviews and certain other non-commercial uses, as per copyright laws. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Mafia Underboss Cover Photo by: TakeCover Designs
Dedication:
To our husbands for putting up with our crazy writing process. A special thanks to Louise O’Reily for being awesome.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Epilogue
Chapter One
Mia
He presses me into the wall.
“Are you okay? Let me check you.”
I chuckle at his tone.
“I’m fine, Lo.” I grab his face while he’s searching my body and pull it up to mine. “Look at me. I’m fine. I didn’t get hurt at all.”
He sighs. “Thank God. I was so worried about you. I wanted to come back and find you myself, but Isabella… her injuries….” He trails off.
My heart warms. He saved my best friend. My sister.
“I was fine.”
One of his hand comes up to cup my face. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been.” He leans forward, pressing his lips to mine, eliciting a gasp from me. He takes the opportunity to slide his tongue against mine. The explosion of feelings catches me by surprise.
Breathless, I pull away, and he rests his head on mine.
“Mia.”
Yes
“Mia.”
Yes
“Mia! Wake up. Your alarm has been going off for twenty minutes. Get your ass up!”
I groan as Izzy shakes me.
“Go away, Iz.”
She laughs then mimics my same sleepy, annoyed tone. “Turn off your alarm, Mia.”
“Fine.” I roll over and shut it off. “Happy now?”
“Yep.” She turns, leaving me in bed.
I flip onto my back, gazing at the ceiling as I process the leftover feelings from my dream. I’m happy Izzy woke me up. This dream only ends one of two ways. It ends with reality—Lo pulling back and telling me he shouldn’t have kissed me. One single moment ruining the friendship we had built. Or it ends with the fantasy of him doing way more than kissing me.
Both dreams leave me feeling emotionally drained when I wake. One with sadness while the other a tinge of happiness mixed in with disappointment.
I groan as I rub my hands down my face. I wish I could forget him. Unfortunately, I have to lay eyes on him pretty much every day.
That’s what happens when your best friend shacks up with a mafia king. Your life gets turned upside down. Sofia and Bash are now happily in love, but it came after us three getting kidnapped and Izzy almost dying.
I am not exaggerating. She almost died after Fillipo, a capo in the mafia, attempted to use us to lure Bash into a trap. It is still unclear if he was trying to kill him or get him arrested, but thankfully neither happened.
Hence the nightly dream. Lorenzo and I became close when he took over the protection detail on me prior to said kidnapping. We started spending a lot of time together, which led to us sharing secrets and dreams.
Then the kidnapping and kiss happened.
Now he keeps playing this push and pull game with me. One minute he is always around; then the next he is telling me we can’t go there. The mental whiplash is enough to cause a concussion.
I let out a deep sigh as I roll out of bed and head to the shower. I stand under the hot water until it runs cold. Getting out, I dry off and clear a spot in the mirror. I stare at my reflection.
“You are beautiful. You are strong. You are independent.”
I repeat the mantras five times before I take a deep breath.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“Hurry up. I’m going to be late!”
I chuckle at Izzy. She’s been irritated more than she’s been civil lately. At first, I’d been concerned her change in disposition stemmed from the head injury she received a couple of months ago, but now I think the change has to do with a certain mafia bad boy who has been spending a lot of time at Bello Italiano lately.
I open the door and go back to the sink. “I’m not done, but do whatever you have to.” I grab my toothbrush and start brushing my teeth.
“I just need to put my face on, Mia. Not all of us can be naturally beautiful like you.”
I look at myself in the mirror. I guess I am beautiful by some people’s standards. I stand at about five foot five with long blonde hair and blue eyes, which is surprising considering both of my parents are Italian. Blonde hair isn’t common for Italians. The secret is I’m not full-blooded Italian. My great-great-grandfather, Mario, married a Scandinavian woman. I guess I inherited that DNA. I spit out my toothpaste before replying to Izzy.
“Shut up. You are a knockout, Izzy. Guys constantly fall all over themselves trying to pant after you.” I go back to brushing my teeth. Izzy is already well into putting her makeup on.
“Yeah, right. You mean they constantly try to get your attention. You’re the girl next door, Mia. Every guy’s wet dream. Forbidden fruit every man is dying to get a taste of,” Izzy deadpans with an eye roll.
I snort as I rinse my mouth. “I don’t think you realize how many guys hit on you. You appear oblivious. It’s almost like your sourpuss attitude turns them on. I don’t get it.” I shake my head and start to put my makeup on.
“Oh yeah? Name one guy.”
I finish applying my eyeliner before I turn and look at her, leaning my hip on the counter.
“I can think of one off the top of my head, but I’m scared you might shoot me if I say his name.”
She turns and glares at me. “He only thinks he wants me because I’m off-limits. The whole ‘been there done that’ thing.” She shrugs.
I chuckle. I don’t know exactly what happened with them, but I think Giovanni might have fucked her over real good. She must have been in love with him. It’s the only explanation I have for the hatred pouring off her whenever he’s around or mentioned. Unfortunately, it occurred before I met her, and she has been tight-lipped about it.
“Well, watch the guys today at work. I bet at least one hits on you.”
She rolls her eyes. “Fine, but only if you do the same.”
I nod. “Let’s make it interesting. The first guy who hits on you, you have to ask on a date. I’ll do the same.”
She scoffs. “Why would I do that?”
“Because we need a life.” I sigh. “Ever since everything happened with Sof, I feel like we live boring lives. We need to go out and do more. All we do is go to work and come home. Hell, Bash’s guys even deliver our groceries to us.”
It’s not an exaggeration either. Ever since the kidnapping, Bash has assigned us each a new guard. A twinge of sadness hits every time I think about what happened to Abramo. He wasn’t very social, but the only reason he died was because he was assigned to protect me.
I shake it off. Bash says the danger isn’t done, so while Izzy and I would like our independence, we’re also stu
ck with the guards watching our every move, for our safety, or so I have been told. Truth is, there’s been no action since that night. I think it’s a bit overdramatic.
“Fine. One date though. If he’s ugly, I get a pass.”
I chuckle at her.
“Fine, but only one pass.” Then I beam. “This is going to be fun.”
“I highly doubt it.”
∞∞∞
Lorenzo
“You going to visit Sofia at work today?” I ask, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.
“Yep.”
Bash is sitting at his desk in the office of Crimson. I admire him for his work ethic.
Under his father, everyone feared the mafia. They feared the unpredictable don who would chop your hand off for being too close to him. While everyone obeyed his every command, it was caused by fear. No one respected him. Then again, it’s hard to respect a man in our business who refuses to get his hands dirty. He had everyone else handle the business side of things, while he sat in his house ordering people around, fat and happy. All while his men went out every day and worked their asses off to keep him on top.
The concern became evident when Bash, the prodigal son of Tommaso Catalini, took over. Would he be as cruel and cold as his father? I knew the answer. I’ve known Bash for a good portion of his life. I saw the differences between them. Where Tommaso had been cold and cruel, Bash is calm and collected. Bash cares about the community and his men. He has no problem getting his hands dirty, but he’s been trying to move us away from all the illegal shit his father insisted on doing. The clubs we own used to sell drugs, prostitutes, and guns. With Bash at the helm, they are reputable businesses.
He has also invested a lot of his own money into the stock market and up-and-coming businesses. All of his earnings, he invests into the family, clubs, or other businesses. He has evolved our little illegal mafia operations into something legal and on the rise. This family needed him.
“Mind if I go with you? We can have dinner there.”
He stops what he’s doing and looks up at me with a smirk. “Looking to run into a certain blonde bombshell?”
“No,” I reply quickly, and I watch his smile widen.
“Whatever happened with you two? You used to be thick as thieves.”
The kiss pops into my head—a searing, earth-shattering kiss. Fuck if I haven’t thought about it every day since. Then my idiotic words after.
This is a mistake.
I didn’t mean the kiss. I would never call kissing Mia a mistake. Kissing her has been the only thing keeping me going.
No, the mistake was putting her in that position. I didn’t even think; I simply kissed her. I don’t deserve someone as pure as her. She is everything light and wonderful in the world. I am Lucifer reborn. I couldn’t bring her down with my darkness.
“I was protecting her. With her permanent guard, I don’t need to be there for her.”
He chuckles. “You should be visiting her. She’s been cranky lately. Sofia’s worried about her.”
I roll my eyes at the shit-eating grin that appears on his face anytime he thinks of Sofia. Yeah, it’s pretty much always there.
“Why would Mia have anything to do with me?”
Maybe because you kissed her then made her feel worthless, you piece of shit, the devil on my shoulder reminds me.
“I don’t know. Just seems you stopped spending time with her, and suddenly she acts as if she has PMS 24/7, or at least Sofia makes it sound as such.”
I chuckle at him. “Don’t let the girls hear you. You might lose your dick.”
He laughs. “Sofia loves it too much to get rid of it. Trust me.”
“Gross, man. She’s my sister.”
“I can’t help the fact she can’t get enough of the D.”
“And,” I say, drawing out the word, “on that note, I’m out. I’m going to check in with some of the employees before we leave.”
“Go on. I’ll be done in thirty.”
-
“Well, hello there, Isabella. How are you this evening?” Standing at the hostess stand, I smile at Isabella.
“How many times do I have to tell you to call me Izzy?”
I chuckle. “Okay, Izzy. I enjoy getting a rise out of you.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Are you hitting on me? Please for the love of God say no.”
I slap my hand over my chest. “I’m wounded at the fact you would find it so appalling.” At her panic, I drop my hand. “I’m not hitting on you, Iz. I enjoy breathing too much.”
I can already tell how well that would go over with Gio. He would observe me flirting with Izzy, and the next day I would disappear, never to be seen again. I wouldn’t even fight him.
She scoffs. “Whatever. You want Mia, I assume?”
I sigh. The last time I requested her, I ended up leaving frustrated and hungry. “No. Whoever is available is fine.”
She gives me a confused look.
“Mia isn’t talking to me right now. As much as I want to stare at her beautiful face, I also want to eat. I wouldn’t mind if you put me somewhere I could watch her though.” I give her a wink.
“Can do.”
She leads me over to a table in the main room and hands me a menu. I laugh at her. Ever since Bash fell for Sofia, we eat here several times a week. I pretty much have the menu memorized by now.
“What do you want to drink?”
I give her a questioning look.
“I put you at my table. Now what do you want?”
Her salty personality rubs some people the wrong way, but I find it amusing.
“A beer. Whatever you have. Surprise me, Izzy.”
She nods as she turns to walk away. I glance around the restaurant, hoping to spot Mia.
It takes minutes, but she finally comes in from the back. She halts when her eyes land on me, and I give her a tentative smile. Her face turns to anger as she stomps over to me.
“What are you doing here?”
The hiss in her tone doesn’t escape me. If anything, it stirs my cock in my pants. I look at the menu then back up at her. “Umm, eating?”
“Seriously, Lorenzo. You need to stop stalking me.”
I feel the anger rise at her using my full name. Only strangers called me Lorenzo. My closest friends called me Lo. She had become my friend—my best friend. The one I shared details of my life with, or I used to at least.
“Seriously, Mia. Stop being so vain. I’m here to eat. Bash is in the back with Sofia.” I can’t hide the irritation in my tone. I turn my head and pretend to study the menu.
“Really? Then why the hell are you sitting at my table?”
I school my face before I look up at her with my emotionless mask firmly in place.
“I specifically asked to be sat anywhere but your table. Izzy’s going to serve me. If this is done, I’m trying to read here.” I look back to the menu, my fists clenching it within them, crinkling the laminated plastic.
“Whatever. What do you want to drink?”
She picks up her pad and pen as she stands before me tapping her foot as if I’m an inconvenience.
“You know what, Mia. Never mind. I’ll leave since you obviously don’t want me here.” I stand and look at her. The hurt in her eyes makes my heart contract.
She sighs. “Just tell me what you want to drink, Lo. I’ll serve you, okay? Sit down and stop making a scene.”
Making a scene?
I take a deep breath before I sit down.
“As I told Izzy, I would like a beer please. Whatever you have. I don’t care.” I say it slowly and with tons of sarcasm.
“Got it.”
She twirls around and marches back to the kitchen. I pretend to read the menu, but my eyes lock on the door, waiting impatiently for mio piccolo angelo to walk back out.
My little angel.
And she is, an angel that is. There is nothing little about Mia. Her personality is bright and bubbly. Her body is voluptuous. No
t to mention her heart, she has a big old heart of gold. She’s truly something special, which is why I need to keep my distance.
So why am I sitting here? Because I’m a masochist. I can’t go a day without checking on her. My feelings for her run so deep to the point I don’t even do it consciously anymore. I find myself driving by her house or the restaurant without even realizing I jumped in my car. Yep, I’m obsessed.
The sad part is, I know she has feelings for me. She made it obvious when she kissed me back, and again when she refused to speak to me after I fucked everything up. Man, I’m an idiot. I wish we could go back to before the kiss.
Best friends.
The kind of friends who share secrets.
Too bad I had to go and shatter our friendship.
I’m so busy with my self-hatred that I don’t even realize when she comes back until she’s standing before me.
“Are you okay, Lo?”
Her gentle tone throws me off.
“Yeah. I’m fine,” I mutter.
She sets the beer on the table and takes a seat across from me. “You don’t look so good. Is everything really okay?”
No. I’m in love with you, but I can’t have you because I’m the devil and you are an angel.
“It’s as okay as it is ever going to be, Mia.”
She nods in understanding. “Do you want your usual?”
I let a small smile escape. She remembers my meal. I nod.
She takes the menu from me. “Better get this out of your way before you tear it to pieces next.” Then she winks at me, and I swear my whole world spins. What I wouldn’t give to bend her over this table right here and fuck her seven ways till Sunday.
I watch her hips sway as she walks around chatting with other tables. Anytime she’s around, my eyes can’t stay off her. Shit, I am a stalker.
A surprise guest slides into the chair across from me, and I jump at the sudden intrusion.
“Damn, Lo. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you jump. Are you feeling okay?”
“Matteo. I’d say what a pleasure, but well, it’s not. What are you doing here?”
He chuckles. “I don’t know if you noticed, but I kind of watch the boss’s woman. It’s part of the job, being wherever she is.”
