Page 2 of Mafia Daddy's Girl

"Please," I say, smiling and releasing her hand. "Call me Sandro. We're going to be working very closely together."

"Yes, Mr. DeLuca," she answers quickly, and I can't help but smile at the flush of her cheeks. "Of course. You can call me Emmy, then."

I take another step closer. Our bodies are close enough now that I can feel the warmth radiating off her. Her scent envelopes me, a delicate hint of jasmine. She's looking up at me, her full lips slightly parted, and the desire to kiss her is nearly overwhelming.

The door to my left swings open, and the spell is broken. Emilia pulls back, and I look over, annoyed. A middle-aged man steps out. He's got a cocky smile and an easy way about him, and I immediately don't like him. After so long in this business, I’ve grown a sixth sense when it comes to people, but Emilia has me thrown off.

"Mr. DeLuca," Emmy begins, immediately professional once more. "This is Marco Bellini, the late Mr. DeLuca's Underboss. He's been working with me on the transition and has taken the late Mr. DeLuca’s place between his death and your arrival.”

Marco holds out a hand. I can't imagine he's happy with me suddenly replacing his boss, but the look on his face is unreadable.

"We've met,” I answer, my tone cold. I don't offer him my hand.

"Ah, that's right," Marco cooly shoves his offered hand into his pocket to hide the awkwardness of my denial. "Over ten years ago, right? It's been a long time since you've visited, Alessandro."

There's a sneer in his voice, but I ignore it. He's not going to get a reaction out of me, at least not yet. "I've been busy. Anyway, you're dismissed from leadership duties. I've got it under control now."

His lip twitches, but Marco nods. "Yes, Mr. DeLuca. Just let Emilia know if you need anything."

With a quick nod, Marco is gone. As soon as he's out of earshot, I turn to Emmy. "Is he a problem?"

"No, sir." She shakes her head, but her expression is guarded. "He was Mr. DeLuca's second-hand man and a good friend of the family."

"Do you trust him?"

Emmy blinks, surprised by the question. She pauses for a moment, but when she speaks, her answer is vague. "I've worked with him closely for the last week, and he appears to be a loyal soldier."

She's hesitating. It doesn't make me uneasy—Marco doesn't concern me nearly as much as he thinks he should. Instead, I'm beginning to realize why Enzo kept Emmy so close all these years. She's unassuming and quiet, making her the perfect person to keep tabs on everyone in the family.

"Good. He's still useful. Keep an eye on him, though."

"Yes, sir."

I look her over again. She's even more beautiful up close, her bright eyes and hair a striking contrast against the soft curves of her body. Her sweater and pencil skirt are professional and modest, but they still highlight the delicious swell of her hips and breasts.

But there will be plenty of time for me to consider Emmy later. Enzo's office is calling to me. It's fate, and it's time for me to take the place I've been trained for my entire life.

"Is everything ready for me, Ms. Moretti?"

"Oh, yes. It's right this way, Mr. DeLuca." Emmy gestures towards the open door to my left. "I've made sure the transition is as seamless as possible."

"That's what I like to hear."

Enzo’s office is exactly as he left it—old-world elegance mixed with the smell of stale cigars. A massive oak desk, leather chairs, and a bar cart in the corner stocked with whiskey. A space designed for power, but still from a bygone era. A space that belongs to me now.

I turn back to the woman still watching me in her inconspicuous way.

She’s quiet. Small. Unassuming. The kind of person men in power don’t notice, don’t think twice about. That makes her dangerous and valuable in equal measures. Now I just need to see if I can keep my hands off her long enough to see how useful she can really be.

2

EMMY

Iexpected the changeover, meeting the new Boss, would be emotional for me. Enzo DeLuca had been my boss and a father figure to me. My father had died while working for Enzo decades ago, and he'd been sure to keep an eye on me ever since. His death was devastating, but not totally unexpected. It’s all part of Enzo's line of work.

I thought I was ready to meet his replacement, the mysterious nephew from California. What I hadn't expected was to be blindsided with such a ridiculous need for Alessandro DeLuca the second I laid eyes on him.

I’ve done plenty of research on Alessandro. I love research. He’s thirty-eight and has been a runaway success as the leader of the California faction of the DeLuca family. Both of his parents died ten years ago in a tragic auto accident, and he has no siblings. I thought all the information would make me more prepared to see him for the first time, but I was oh so wrong.

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