He Chose The Mistress Over His Queen

na

luxury I cou

iling, feeling the loyalty in my bl

ose, I was a d

a blac

but I wasn't wearing it to gri

high, I walked i

with cigar smoke a

sat at the hea

ked like a benevolent old man, but his eyes were co

was

red, irritation flashi

one dismissive. "We are

n't f

slammed a thick file dow

ike a gunshot in t

ment is ove

betraying none of t

scended on

huckled, a dry,

escension. "A Mafia union is a blood oath. You d

him, locking eyes with the old man. "A

stoo

casting a long sha

talking abou

ed at t

the shipping containers you use for y

eyes n

avoring the words. "As of this morning, the

ained from D

't dare," h

safe passage out of this city. Or I will choke your

he file, flipping it open

the gravity

re said quickly, his demeanor shifting from

sonable," I sai

and wal

ainst my ribs, a frantic

ed the most dangero

st time in year

the hallway to

Dante's be

steppe

robe that was too big

s cologne, a cloying mixt

me and

weet, pois

so soon?"

my way, Li

ng against the wall with performative exhaustion

laug

nap

t her, but she step

d her a

just enough to get her

opportunity. She th

floor with

creamed. "E

nto a ball,

u push me?"

hundered do

appe

ivia on

standing

at happened. He

Livia, kneeli

" he asked, hi

obbed into his chest. "I

ooked u

were full

ng with you?

e-a tone honed to comm

made my k

just mad

lf down," I said

e is under my protection. You are b

" I asked, my voice

stoo

invading my space w

ze," he

" I

lena," he hissed. "O

humilia

over his fiancée, over his bu

ed at

g out from beh

as sm

d back

a fool,

rabbed

p was b

d. "Go to your room. We will

ved me

ifting her into his arms l

ried h

lone in t

ed where he h

feeling the heat o

s, Dante," I whisper

her. Tomorrow, yo