Page 3 of The Mobster’s Nurse

“Yes, Don Dario.”

I leave his office, walking through his Italian-style villa to the balcony. The sun is blazing down on the ranch. Horses run in an enclosure, three or four of them, as the trainer runs yelling something at them. Beyond him are the large stables, the medical unit, and lodgings for some of the staff.

I’m about to turn away when a figure emerges from the medical unit.

My blood isn’t ice anymore. I let out a shaky, hot breath. My body aches all over. My manhood twitches in my pants at the same time as my heart starts to beat fast and hard.

She walks over to the enclosure, wearing denim jeans, leather boots, and a tight-fitting shirt. An outfit that shows all her curves. Her wide hips. Her big, mouthwatering breasts. My head feels light. I’ve never wanted somebody so bad so fast.

Her hair is tied up. Unruly and brown, wisps rebelling here and there. She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear without breaking stride. Like she'd done it a thousand times. She struts with purpose like she has somewhere to be and the world can keep up or fall behind. Instantly, I want to be that somewhere she’s walking toward.

I’m too far to see the color of her eyes. But her face looks passionate. Focused. A little sassy, like she’s ready to show the son of the Don that he isn’t all that he thinks he is.

I turn away from the balcony, trying to breathe normally.

I fail.

Suddenly, I’m all-in for this assignment. “One hundred percent,” I murmur to myself.

Who is she?

I need to know.

More than I’ve ever needed to know anything.

2

ELLIE

Igently stroke my hand down Lucky Charm's mane.

She moans and nuzzles my hand, her eyes full of sadness and desperation. She's under the weather for no reason I can figure out.

"What's wrong, girl?" I whisper, gently caressing her. "Are you in pain? Where does it hurt?"

She nuzzles me desperately again. Like she's screaming at me, Please, figure out what's wrong.

"You know what?" I mutter, leaning forward and gently kissing her. "I'm going to check your supplements. Maybe somebody made a mistake."

I can't work out what else it would be. She was healthy as a … well, horse. Until a few days ago. Until the race and the humiliation. I wasn't at the race. But I heard that Mr. Moretti was pissed.

I almost laugh to myself at that. Sure. Right. Mister Moretti. More like Don Moretti.

I leave the stables and go into the medical unit. The place is pristine and clinical. It's beautiful, honestly. I love the sterile feel of it. I wash my hands before entering. Then go to the medicine cabinet and take out Lucky Charm's supplements.

Before I can check on anything, there's noise behind me. I turn. It's Daryl, my boss, a Texan with a handlebar mustache and thick black eyebrows. "Is everything okay, honey?"

Honey! I don't like when he calls me that. He gets this look in his eyes, twinkly and suggestive. It annoys me. But a girl's got to go along to get along, I guess.

"Lucky Charm's condition makes no sense," I tell him. "All we've given her are these supplements, so I was checki⁠—"

"Makes no sense?" He slaps his knee like I've just told a hilarious joke. "Sweetheart, let me tell you something."

Sweetheart. There's another one. I clench my teeth.

"Horses don't make a lick of sense," he goes on. "If I've learned one lesson in my thirty-year-long career, well, it's that. I know you want to get to the bottom of every little thing, but sometimes, sick is just sick."

I hope annoyance doesn't show on my face. Daryl is the main veterinarian here, in charge of all the other medical staff and me. He could fire me any time he likes.