CHAPTER ONE
ALESSANDRO
I hate almost all events. I hate all the other capos and soldiers that try and use any big event to kiss the ass of Leonardo and his father—the Boss. Leo and I are like brothers, not that I know what it’s like to have a brother. I only have my younger sisters, Gemma and Lia. But we would still bleed for each other all the same.
Tonight’s event is different, though. After finally disposing of his traitorous uncle, Leo’s officially claiming Beatrice Gallo as his.
“For fuck’s sake,” I growl whilst readjusting my tie for the hundredth time in the bathroom mirror.
I hate getting ready anywhere that isn’t my apartment, but seeing as I need a date for tonight, I’m getting ready at Jade’s place. Well, technically it’s mine as I’m paying for it. An arrangement we came to the first night I met her at Extreme.
Extreme is our strip club that’s owned by Leo. It only caters for made men.
Jade was starting her first shift when I met her. She practically snapped my hand off at the offer of me paying her to be exclusively mine. Women are easy to come by in this world. Finding one that doesn’t ask too many questions and who knows the lay of the land is a minefield, though. I don’t want to talk business and niceties. I want to fuck when I want to fuck, that’s it. Having my own personal girl works perfectly. Although recently, she’s become slightly clingier, wanting me to take her out for dinners and romantic dates. We’ve had words recently, and she seems to have taken my warning on board. If she doesn’t toe the line, our arrangement is over. Obviously, this luxurious apartment in the upper west side of New York, along with the limitless allowance I give her, are enough to make her think twice about pushing me. She knows this will only ever be casual. I mean, if my father had it his way, he’d have me married and living under his rule in Philadelphia. Fortunately, my friendship with Leo means I can stay in New York to learn from Giuseppe Bianchi, Leo’s father. I’ve been avoiding the topic of marriage for a while with my father, but with Leo now engaged, my father is only going to force the issue more.
“You okay in there, babe?” I grit my teeth at the pet name. She knows I fucking hate it.
She saunters in and pops herself up on the counter, she’s pretty in that plastic kind of way. She’s only twenty-four, but she already had her tits and lips done, and she regularly has Botox as she “doesn’t like her wrinkles”. Her words, not mine. She’s got a shoulder-length honey-blonde bob. Personally, I prefer women with longer hair, but she said her hair won’t take the color and grow long. Since I like blondes more, the bob’s stayed.
“I will be, when I can tie this straight,” I grunt while I undo my tie.
“You don’t normally wear a tie. Why not just go without?” She shrugs her shoulders as she hops off the counter.
“Tonight is different. It’s an engagement party. And shouldn’t you be getting dressed?” I turn and raise my brows at her.
She’s currently walking around in her little lacy red bra and matching G-string.
“I’ve just finished my hair and make-up,” she shrugs. “I didn’t know if you wanted to go another round before we leave.” She gives me her little coy smile.
“Jade, we’re leaving in ten fucking minutes. Get dressed.”
She huffs as she struts out of the room.
That’s exactly the reason I didn’t bother asking her to help with my tie. She wouldn’t have a clue. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a nice girl. Unfortunately, she focuses all of her energy on spreading her legs rather than using her time to do something useful. I’ve offered to put her through college. She knows this won’t last forever, and I don’t want her to have nothing, but once I marry, this will have to end. Jade knows this.
My father is one of the few men in our world who’s faithful to his wife. I want to be like that with whomever I marry. I can’t support Jade forever, meaning I wanted her to get an education so she can make something of herself. Instead, she spends her days pampering herself and shopping with the high society girls of New York.
Fixing my tie—well giving up and leaving it slightly wonky—I make my way into the bedroom. Jade’s standing over by the mirror in a little black strappy dress. Probably showing a little more leg than she should, considering all of my family and the highest ranks in our world will be there tonight. But they all know she’s not from our world, so our women’s etiquette is not expected from her.
“Do you like?” She twirls and gives me a curtsy.
“You look hot.” She does, I’m not lying. “Let’s head out, I don’t want to be late.” I hold my hand out to her, and she comes willingly.
* * *
We make our way through the hotel lobby and into the function room at the back, currently filled with all our highest-ranking members and some of our business associates, as well as a few plus-ones like Jade.
“Well, look what we have here.” A voice pitched like needles approaches us from behind.
Jade swings around before I do. I take my time, trying not to lose my shit as I turn to greet one blonde I can’t stand.
“What are you doing here?” Jade squeals as she throws her arms around Katie.
“Yes, Katie, do tell. What exactly are you doing here? You definitely weren’t invited, that’s for sure.” I frown down at her.
“Alessandro,” Jade gasps. “That was rude.” She pinches her lips as she glares back at me.
Taking Jade’s waist back in my hold, I pull her closer to me, sending her a look that I know she won’t appreciate. Not that I give a fuck, she knows how it works. I don’t care if she and this whore are friends, she shouldn’t be here. Especially not tonight.