PROLOGUE NICK ELEVEN YEARS AGO
Every future mafia boss gets the opportunity to attend college. Some future mafia bosses do, and some don’t. Even though you have the street smarts to run your family’s enterprise, it’s important to have a college education. And to have a little fun before you sit on the throne.
At twenty-three, my father made arrangements for me to court Norah Aiello. Her father, Torrance Aiello, had connections with suppliers my family didn’t. Her father agreed to give us access to the suppliers upon me putting a promise ring on her finger. Right before I’d take the throne Norah and I would wed.
This hadn’t been what I wanted. For a while, I thought about giving my brother the throne. That’s how much I didn’t desire the union. In our world, arranged marriages are common. However, the Pituccos had so many deals we didn’t need this one.
Norah was beautiful on the outside, but her insides had to have been a pukish green color. I’d been sure of it. Her vile attitude and the way she had played up the princess to the throne shit didn’t sit well with me.
Despite my efforts to avoid Norah, I couldn't escape her watchful eye.
She had transferred from Harvard to Penn State with the sole purpose of keeping an eye on me.
Leaving the prestigious Harvard seemed like a crazy decision to me. Nora and my sister Natalia were in the same class at Harvard, both being twenty years old and part of the same group of friends. I couldn't fathom how Natalia could be friends with her.
The audacity of this woman to monitor my actions. I’m a grown ass man and could choose to be with whoever I want. Our marriage would only be a business arrangement, after all.
As my fourth year of college progressed, I found myself attending classes less and less to avoid running into Norah. Even though I was supposed to graduate the previous year, I chose to prioritize partying instead.
Exiting chem class, I glared at the F at the top of my exam. I’m smarter than this. I’d attend my most important classes more often. A small figure rams into my chest.
“Sorry, I didn’t see you,” a soft voice says.
I take my eyes off the test and meet her chestnut brown eyes. It feels like all the air leaves my lungs as I stand there, cemented in place.
Her attire is much different from the other students. Everyone pretty much wears sweats, jeans, and t-shirts. She’s wearing beige slacks, an oversized black sweater, and casual dress shoes. Her brown hair is pulled into a low bun. My gaze skates over her pecan face and those plump nude-colored lips.
I snap out of my trance. “Are you ok?”
Her brows shoot up. “Am I ok? I bumped into you.”
I chuckle. “But I’m a big guy who’s solid muscle.”
She visibly swallows, and her tongue glides over her lower lip. I think she likes what she sees.
“I’m Nick and you are?”
“Late for class,” she bites back.
“Ok, late for class. Have a good day.”
She rolls her eyes. “The names Kinsley.”
The beautiful ray of sunshine darts off down the hallway.
I peek at the door ahead and gesture for my bodyguard to approach.
“What’s up, boss?”
“Axe, I want you to follow the young woman I was talking to. I also want to know her class schedule.”
“Boss, I’m not supposed to leave you.”
I nod. “Boulder’s in the Yukon. I can make it from here to there.”
His brows bunch together. “But if your father finds out.”
“I’m the acting boss right now. And I’m giving you a direct fucking order to find out all you can about Kinsley.”
He smooths a hand over his short brown hair.
“All right, boss.” He stalks down the hallway toward Kinsley.
Shit, I can be such an asshole sometimes. He’s just doing his job. If something happens to me, my father wouldn’t give a fuck about my new obsession. My only obsession. How can I call her an obsession? I don’t know her. But I want to know everything there is to know about her.
I can’t wait to crush those plump lips.
“Hey you. Aren’t you supposed to be in business finance class?” she asks, raising an eyebrow at me.
I glance over at Norah. She's wearing skintight jeans and a pink tank top that barely covers her navel under a pink wool coat. She loves showing off her body whenever she can.
She flings her long blonde curls over one shoulder before linking her arm through mine. “We're getting takeout for dinner tonight. I have a test to study for.”
Norah gives me a fake smile as we walk. “So what were you and Axe talking about?”
“Business,” I reply sharply.
“I've already warned all the girls who stare at you in the cafeteria, student center, and library.
They are not to even think about talking to my fiancé. If any of these idiots try to come between us, I'll cut them open. They'll all bow down to me when I'm sitting next to my husband on his throne. I can't wait.” An evil grin curls her lips as she stares out into space like she envisions sitting on the mafia throne.
Every other day, she talks about sitting at my side on the throne. She doesn’t know I’ve started the process of becoming the mafia boss because my father has had some health issues lately.
She reminds me of the Bertozzis. They’re one of the five mafia families. The Magarellis, Espositos, Romanos, and the Pituccos make up the rest of the families. The other bosses and I hate the Bertozzis. They go against the mafia code whenever they handle business. And they have no problem killing women and children.
The other four families wouldn’t harm the innocent.
I come to a sudden stop and turn to face her. "You need to mind your fucking business. I've told you countless times, who I sleep with is not your concern," I scoff and shake my head.
“You want the throne? Fine, take it. You're like a rotten apple, all shiny on the outside, but rotten to the core.”
Her eyebrows furrow in anger and her gray eyes darken. "How dare you speak to me like this?"
I narrow my eyes at her. "It's easy when you talk about killing women who simply flirt with me from far away."
She runs a bright pink fingernail down my chest. "I mean it," she hisses, her voice dripping with venom. "Nobody will stop me."