Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
I’ve longed for her for years; well before I should have. Five years older than her, I’ve spent my life guarding my little devil queen. Then, one day, that protective, familial bond broke and something else took its place: lust. I saw her and knew that no one, no female, could ever compare to my viper.
Her dark-reddish curls bounce with attitude and her hazel eyes are filled with intent, and I want them focused on me as I take her, making her mine. The amount of fantasies I have make it hard to get shit done and have turned me into a big asshole, although it has made me an even darker mob boss than my father.
She is meant to rule at my side. She is everything I could want in a wife and more. Not to mention, she’s fucking stolen my heart and I didn’t even know that was possible. Now to make it happen.
A barely legal woman, Vivian Barone is a terror to handle, like a baptized cat. I have my hands full. First things first—I have to speak with her father.
A knock on the door sends him in before I expect to see him.
“Matteo, it’s good to see…” His words freeze in his mouth when he spots the tattoo on my chest. It’s new, and the meaning is clear. Although it wasn’t meant for his eyes, I’m not ashamed or bothered by it. One day soon, the right person will see it and understand.
Enrico’s expression stiffens and then he says, “I suppose there’s a specific reason you called me in here today.” His eyes move right back to the tattoo.
“Yes, although I told my father I wanted to see you after my workout,” I grunt.
He adjusts his suit cuffs. “Well, now is as good a time as any. My day is pretty full, as you’re well aware.”
“Yes, I suppose it is. We’re family in more ways than one. I’ve looked to you for guidance, and although I’ve taken over for my father and I’m technically your boss, I’m coming to you as a man when I say that I want to marry your daughter.”
He chuckles. Shaking his head, Enrico says, “Boy, Matteo, you do love a challenge, don’t you? The family and my daughter all in the same week?” Yes, I’ve only just taken the reins this week, but I’m more than capable and if anything, I need my queen by my side to do it.
“I love Vivian.”
“Well, if you can get her to marry you, I’m all for it. Just don’t hurt my little girl. She’s crazy enough to return the favor.”
“I’m well aware of who she is. I happen to think she’s the perfect woman to be at my side, and I’m sure you know that if anyone is capable of being the wife of a mob boss, it’s Vivian.”
“Shit, she’d rather be the boss.”
“You might have a point there,” I chuckle.
“So when will you tell her? You haven’t been secretly dating, have you?” He narrows his eyes at me.
“No, I haven’t approached my little viper.” She may be his daughter, but she’s going to be my bride, and I won’t debate that with anyone else. If anyone dared challenge me, we’d have a problem, but I can’t blame him. If he knew about the thoughts I have about his baby, he’d use his skills on me.
“So a quick strike is what you’re going for,” he says, staring at me with a smirk. Enrico understands Vivian isn’t the kind of woman to fall at my feet, so I’ll have to demand her submission or show her how damn good she could be as my better half. Either way, she doesn’t have a choice.
“If necessary.”
“Good luck. I have to talk to security about the party tonight, but I will wait until you speak to her before I mention it to my wife.” He scrunches up in fear because Vivian didn’t get all that attitude from him.
“Good. I’ll wait until the party is over. I don’t want to ruin her special evening.” A sense of ease comes from him, which is what I expected.
“You know I’ve invited men from two other families, right?”
“Yes,” I growl. The thought of another one of the families with their sons vying for my woman’s attention is unbearable even for a second. “She’s mine.”
“Maybe you should have told me a little sooner.”
“I’m not afraid of the others. In fact, I’ll make it clear that she’s taken by the end of the night.” I’m not sure how I’ll do it without declaring my sentiments, but it will be done. I think about the comments she made about marrying into another mafia family. When those words escaped her lips, I wanted to tell her then and there that it wasn’t going to happen. Not ever. She belonged to me and nothing would change that fact.