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CHAPTER 1
Enzo
One of the first lessons I ever learned is that the world really is black and white. There are no gray areas. There’s a very clear line, and the moment you cross that line, the moment your soul starts to feel a little bit black. Then, after a while, it is black, corrupted and unsavable.
I guess the gray area could be that line. The edge, the middle of black and white. But if you’re already tethering that edge, you’re halfway gone. You can take a step back into white, or you can wallow in the darkness.
There are good people in the world and there are bad people. And here’s one thing about me you should know: Good people make me feel sick.
My eyes snapopen before the alarm on my phone has a chance to ring. Every day, like clockwork. Someone once asked why I bother to set an alarm in the first place, since my body is primed to wake up without it. I told him the one thing I hate is uncertainty.
I don’t switch off the alarm, however, letting it continue to ring until it rouses the woman on the bed beside me. She groans, pushing her naked ass back onto my cock. I roll my eyes before climbing off the bed and crossing my arms.
“Get up,” I order.
Her eyes open but her movements are slow and sluggish as she sits up. She blinks up at me, brown eyes soft, and her eyelashes flutter in a gesture I’m sure is meant to seduce. It worked last night, but it won’t work again in the clear light of the day.
“Put on your clothes and leave,” I tell her.
I can’t remember her name. Which means she didn’t tell me. If she had told me, I’d remember. All she did last night was pull me in for a kiss and ask me to fuck her. Clear, concise wording and easy access—all things I’m a sucker for. I’m not a fan of working for anything that should come easily to me, especially sex. This woman was exactly what I needed last night, considering my frustrations.
Still, when she frowns, I know I should soften my tone. “I’ll have someone contact you with compensation you for your services.”
When her brown eyes narrow, I know I’ve said the wrong thing. She flips her blonde hair over her shoulders and gets to her feet. She’s a sexy woman with long legs, average-sized breasts, and full, pouty lips.
“From the rumors, I’d have thought the new Don of the Russos would have a much better bedside manner.” She sniffs, moving to pick up her clothes.
I arch an eyebrow at the fact that she knows who I am. Her voice has an accent that I can’t quite place. Russian, maybe? It wouldn’t surprise me. The party yesterday was filled with mobsters from all over, dangerous people with ties to the mafia. I went there yesterday to scope out the people I’ll ultimately haveto start dealing with, but my plans were derailed by the arrival of the Christian D’Angelo. Soon, everyone was clamoring for even a second of his time.
He symbolizes everything I aspire to become. But not yet. I plan to cling to the shadows a little longer.
“My bedside manner won’t be wasted on a woman I already fucked,” I drawl. “But in the interest of being polite, what’s your name?”
She blinks again, those long lashes fluttering before her lips stretch into a slow smile.
“You do not know who I am?” she questions. “Now, that is interesting. From the rumors, I’d have thought you knew everything.”
My eyes narrow. This is the second time she’s used the phrase “from the rumors.”
“I know almost everything,” I correct. “But no need to stroke my ego. Just tell me who’s feeding you information.”
Aside from the situation with the De Luca’s, the mafia world shouldn’t know much about me.
These past few months, I’ve prided myself on the anonymity. Working from the shadows is infinitely easier than working in the spotlight. And I’m slightly uncomfortable that this woman approached me knowing who I was. It means this wasn’t just a casual fuck.
“You don’t need to know, Enzo,” she says, unsettling me even further. “But I’m sure you’ll find out eventually.”
She finally finishes dressing, pulling on the dress she wore last night.
“And when I do?” I challenge.
She smiles. “Then I’ll come find you. Or not. It depends on the next moves you make. Who you choose to ally yourself with.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” I ask calmly.
“You’ll understand soon, Enzo,” she says, still vague, sliding into her heels before rising to her feet. “For what it’s worth, I had fun last night. Don’t insult me by having someone contact me for any sort of payment. I am not a whore, Enzo. Goodbye.”
She blows me a kiss before walking out of the hotel room. Once she’s gone, I get dressed, jaw clenched as I try to figure out the interaction and the conversation. If there’s one thing I hate, it’s feeling out of control. And she’s right. I also despise not knowing things.
