Made Man Dante

by Liliana Rhodes

  No, not now, I thought as I blinked them back then laughed at myself. Ahead of me was the man I loved, my protector and my hero. I thought it was impossible, but he was even more handsome standing in his tuxedo waiting for me. His eyes were focused on me like I was the only one in the world, which is exactly how he always made me feel.

  When Carlo and I reached Dante, Carlo took my hand and held it out to Dante.

  “I swear, I don’t care who you are,” Carlo said, “you hurt my sister and you’ll have hell to pay.”

  Dante smiled and nodded. “I love her too much, Carlo. She’s my angel,” he said as he turned to look at me and took my hand. “You’re my love, my life, my hero. You saved me, Gia, and I will spend the rest of my life doing whatever I can to make sure you know I love you.”

  “I love you too,” I whispered.

  I was choked up and couldn’t say anything else. Dante Gambino was a Soldier, a Capo, and now Boss. But to me, he would only be my husband and my love.

  The End

  Thank you for reading Made Man Dante! I hope you enjoyed it.

  I’ve had so much fun meeting Dante’s family that I will be writing a series of standalone novels, each focusing on his brothers and sister. Made Man Sonny, the story of Sonny and Harper, will be released December 2014.

  Sign up for my newsletter for updates and news about Made Man Sonny’s release and more.

  Continue reading for an excerpt from the bestseller

  His Every Whim. Available for Free.

  His Every Whim

  by

  Liliana Rhodes

  About His Every Whim

  While down on her luck, Ashley meets a handsome stranger…

  Ashley Monroe is curvy girl having a string of bad luck. Jobless and sleeping on her friend’s couch, she takes a waitressing job at an event at the prestigious Boone Art Gallery. While there, she’s told one thing–stay away from the mysterious and brooding man sitting by himself. Easier said than done for Ashley who finds herself inexplicably drawn to the gorgeous stranger.

  After spending the evening doing things she normally wouldn’t–like letting herself be seduced by this enigmatic man she only knows as Xander–she unknowingly opens her world up to the lavish lifestyle of beautiful mansions, fast cars, and expensive clothes. Because when billionaire Xander Boone sees something he wants, he gets it.

  July

  Chapter One

  Ashley

  “Ashley, wait! You forgot your tie!”

  I turned around when I heard Jackie call me. Taking the black clip-on tie that was part of our uniform from her then clipping it in place, I looked at the other girls in their pressed white shirts, black slacks, ties and vests. Had anyone told me I’d graduate from college and become a waitress, I would’ve told them they were full of shit. But there I was, dressed and ready to serve cocktails at the famed Boone Art Gallery, the largest and most prestigious gallery in the city of Canyon Cove.

  “Do I look alright? I can’t believe you have to wear this outfit whenever you work.”

  “It pays the bills while I’m in school. Besides Ash, you look great. It really shows off your curves.”

  I rolled my eyes. She was just trying to make me feel better. I looked like a penguin and I knew everyone thought the same. I glanced over at Jackie with her dark brown hair up in a pony tail just like mine. That’s where the similarities ended. Dressed alike, we looked like the before and after of a diet ad.

  “Thanks for getting me this job, Jackie. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “No sweat. I know you’d do the same for me. Plus when I heard this party was at the Boone, I knew I had to get you in. Maybe you can see if they’re hiring.”

  I nodded and hoped she’d drop the subject. I needed to put my best foot forward and get through the night. I didn’t need to be reminded of my inability to get a job because I “only” had an Art History degree and no “real” work experience.

  In a matter of days my world came crashing down around me. When my graduate school loans got denied at the last minute, I had to scramble to find a job to keep my apartment. Now, two months later, not only was I still unemployed, but I was sleeping on Jackie’s pull-out couch. I really didn’t want to think about it.

  As if she read my mind, Jackie put her arm around me and gave me a quick hug. We each grabbed a small tray of champagne filled glasses and headed out of the break room and into the crowded exhibit area.

  The Boone Art Gallery buzzed with excitement. The event was invitation only for the grand opening of the Pedro Escamino exhibit–the hottest young sculptor in years. Only the elite of Canyon Cove society made the list. Everywhere I looked, beautiful people posed in their expensive clothes. Men strutted by in perfectly tailored suits and women glowed in couture gowns. It reminded me that being a waitress was the closest I’d ever get to being at this kind of event.

  The gallery’s large, open, modern space was white and simple in order to allow the art work to pop and be the focus. Partial walls throughout the room governed the flow of traffic, and gave the viewers either the surprise of the next piece or showcased another. Throughout the gallery cozy alcoves with sleek, low European-style couches and cocktail tables invited the guests to relax.

  As I walked around the room with my tray, offering the passing guests a glass of chilled champagne, Jackie rushed over to me, her voice filled with alarm as she whispered even though she had a fake smile in place.

  “See that guy over there? In the alcove to the right. Sitting by himself. Don’t be obvious about it.”

  I casually glanced towards the alcove she mentioned and saw a man sitting by himself. His legs were stretched out in front of him as he leaned back into the couch. While he dressed like the other men, in a perfectly tailored suit, he definitely wore it much better. I never realized before how sexy a man could look in a suit.

  He looked to be in his forties since his light brown hair had some grey in it, especially at his temples. He wore his hair a little on the longer side, almost shaggy but not unkempt, and he had a closely trimmed beard which made it hard to see his face well. Regardless, it was obvious he was a very handsome man.

  Complementing his charcoal grey suit, he wore an ice-blue tie. I couldn’t help but wonder what color his eyes were or how rough the hair of his beard would feel against my cheek. With one glance it was obvious to whoever looked that he refused to enjoy himself, but for some reason I felt myself drawn to him.

  “You mean the grump?” I asked.

  “Shh! Yes!” She hissed. “He’s always at these things. I’ve never seen him mingle or talk to any guests. He just sits there.” She paused for a moment as she snuck a quick peek at him. “Stay away from him. He always yells at the wait staff whenever we offer him anything. I think he likes to make people cry.”

  “Who is he?”

  “Damned if I know. Just some rich asshole I guess but I wanted to warn you.”

  Jackie disappeared into the crowd while I stood near an appetizer display taking it all in. I couldn’t help it, what she said intrigued me. I regularly darted my eyes over to the man in the alcove. Later, even after I made my way through the crowd again, I still checked to see if anyone spoke to him. He remained completely alone and never once left his seat.

  As the evening went on, I started to convince myself that he couldn’t be all that bad. I told myself that maybe he was an asshole because no one ever offered him a drink or was nice to him. All Jackie said was that he made everyone cry. If that was the worse he could do, then why not go over?

  I hemmed and hawed over it, making sure to walk past his alcove every so often to see if anyone spoke to him. I wasn’t the kind of girl to be outgoing, normally I kept to myself and was shy and quiet, but eventually I couldn’t help myself. I shoved away the old Ashley and like a moth to a flame, I went over to offer him a glass of champagne.

  Chapter Two

  Xander

  Yet another event at the Boone Art Gallery. I
only attended these functions out of some bizarre sense of obligation, so there I sat again by myself in my favorite alcove. At least it gave me the chance to people watch and if I hadn’t been doing just that, then I wouldn’t have seen her.

  She stood out from the crowd with her black, almond shaped eyes, bee stung lips, and dark brown hair. I imagined she would be even more beautiful with her hair down around her shoulders. Even in that ridiculous catering uniform she was gorgeous. If all women had curves like that I’d be a happy man.

  It was one of the things with society I didn’t understand. We pushed health and eating properly yet the image of beauty that was shoved down our throats was a thin, twig of a woman. I preferred women to look healthy, have some meat on their bones, not be a bag of bones.

  So for once I was glad to be at the Boone and alone. It gave me the opportunity to keep admiring her as she walked around offering champagne. I hadn’t been this attracted to anyone in a long time. It was a shame I couldn’t do anything about it. If this was any other place and if I hadn’t hired the caterer, things could be different.

  But those were excuses. I chose to not look, to not get attached to anyone. Life was too complicated to bother.

  Chapter Three

  Ashley

  Loading my tray with freshly poured champagne, I made my way towards his alcove. As I approached, I took a deep breath and reminded myself the worse he could do was make me cry. I was a big girl, I could handle a few tears if that was what happened. I needed to get closer to him. I entered his alcove and smiled.

  “Champagne, sir?”

  He grunted and looked up at me. He didn’t say a word, just stared. I wondered if I should leave. The old Ashley would’ve left, but the old Ashley wouldn’t have been in his alcove to begin with. I figured I had nothing to lose and set a glass of champagne down on the small table in front of him.

  “Did I say I wanted champagne?”

  His voice growled and I immediately regretted being there but I was too stubborn to run away. I summoned up all my courage, stood up straight and challenged his gaze.

  “No, but you didn’t say you didn’t want it either.”

  The brief silence lasted forever but then he cracked a smile and picked up the glass I set down. For a moment I was even more frightened of him, thinking he was a wild card and absolutely crazy, until I noticed his eyes. They were ice-blue, like his tie, and cold but I saw a flash of warmth behind them. I never saw such amazing blue eyes before. I wanted to lose myself in them.

  While I braced myself for the worst, he leaned back into his seat and crossed his legs with his ankle resting on his knee. When he took a sip of champagne, I breathed a sigh of relief and turned to head back into the crowd.

  “I’m not done with you.”

  I stopped dead in my tracks. His voice was menacing and sent chills up my spine. Oddly though I still found myself drawn to him, I couldn’t help it. I turned back around to face him and saw the slightest smile playing on his lips.

  “Is there anything else I can get for you sir?”

  “Sit.”

  At first I moved towards the couch, I wanted to do whatever he said, but then I remembered I was working.

  “I’m sorry sir, but I need to continue making the rounds.”

  “Sit. No one is going to say anything to you about it. Join me.”

  “But–”

  “No buts. Sit. You’re a waitress right? I need you to wait on me.”

  I looked out at the crowded room. I wanted to get back to work and earn some money. I needed to earn money. Again, the old me would’ve done the responsible thing and return to work, but I still wasn’t ready to do things the old Ashley way. Old Ashley got me no where, it was time to change that. I set my tray of champagne down on the alcove’s cocktail table and sat on the couch with him.

  “Is there anything I can get you Sir?”

  “Don’t call me sir, call me Xander. And you are?”

  “Ashley.”

  “Pleasure to meet you Ashley.” He extended his hand to me and I shook it, letting my hand be engulfed by his and overwhelmed when the warmth of his hand penetrated deep into my core. “Didn’t they warn you about me?”

  I couldn’t help it, I giggled and nodded as my cheeks turned hot. It never occurred to me that he might know of his own reputation. I wondered how much he did to maintain it.

  “They did. I guess I don’t listen very well.”

  “We’ll have to change that,” he said.

  His voice returned to its menacing tone again and I began to worry. Was he going to turn into the jerk Jackie warned me about? Maybe he planned to report me to the catering manager, Mr. Smithfield.

  I was working with Jackie for just the one night but hoped to do it regularly. Being the only recent prospect I had to earn money, I didn’t want to mess it up. I kept an eye out for Mr. Smithfield, who Jackie earlier convinced to give me a chance.

  “Have you been waitressing for long? I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”

  “No sir, tonight is my first night.”

  “Sir? What did i say?”

  “Sorry…Xander.”

  “And on your first night you decide to bother the one person they warned you about? Interesting.” He was quiet for a moment. “What did you do before this?”

  I didn’t answer him right away. I didn’t know why he asked so many questions. His face was stoic. I couldn’t tell if he was trying to be friendly or simply interrogating me. I didn’t think I had a choice, I had to answer him.

  “I just graduated college.”

  “Ahh so you just graduated college and you’re waitressing? What did you major in? A waste like Art History?”

  He laughed at his own joke but I didn’t find it funny. I folded my arms in front of my chest. Great, this is how he’s going to make me cry.

  “It’s none of your business, but yes.”

  He laughed even harder, the sound boomed out of him and I knew everyone heard it but no one reacted. He took a glass of champagne from my tray and handed it to me.

  “I think you need this.”

  “No, I’m working, I can’t.”

  “Don’t make me tell your boss that you refused a simple customer request.”

  He had a stern look and I couldn’t tell if he was joking or not but based on what Jackie said about him before, I wasn’t going to take any chances. I picked up the glass but as I took a small sip, I saw Mr. Smithfield enter the room.

  There I sat, the girl Jackie begged him to let waitress, resting and drinking champagne with a guest. I couldn’t risk him seeing me and both of us losing our jobs.

  “I’m sorry, I have to go.”

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  About The Author

  Liliana Rhodes is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author who writes Contemporary and Paranormal Romance. Blessed with an over active imagination, she is always writing and plotting her next stories. She enjoys movies, reading, photography, and listening to music. After growing up on the east coast, Liliana now lives in California with her husband, son, two dogs who are treated better than some people, and two parrots who plan to take over the world.

  Copyright

  Made Man Dante

  Copyright © 2014 by Jaded Speck Publishing

  Cover by Jaded Speck Publishing

  Photography: ©Depositphotos / curaphotography

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Made Man Dante

  About Made Man Dante

  Soldier

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  Capo

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN