The Mobster’s Dance (Lords of New York #3)

Prologue

Dante

I can’t stop staring at her.

My brothers must notice because Antonio clears his throat beside me, but I don’t look away. Seated a few tables across from ours in a long lavender dress that glides down her slim figure is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.

I saw her first at the church with the bridal party, and my heart threatened to escape from my chest. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. Not once during the wedding procession did I glance at the bride or the groom. Hell, I couldn’t say what the priest was wearing to save my life.

And now, here we are, at the wedding reception, in some dimly lit hall, and my eyes haven’t shifted from her. It’s reckless of me to not be conscious of my environment. I’m a Rossi, for Christ’s sake, and can’t afford to be distracted. Not even at a wedding.

And especially not at this wedding!

Matteo, my oldest brother and the soon-to-be don, is getting married and expects his brothers to have his back if someone tries to take him out. I've been doing a piss poor job of keeping tabs on the people around us, seeing how my eyes haven’t moved from the woman with the face of an angel.

She was a vision back at the church. When I first spotted her, she was standing behind the bride, her beautiful face bathed with sunlight streaming through stained glass.

Her hair was let down in a cascade of golden strands, reflecting the light and creating a halo around her head.

She looked like an angel, and isn't it ironic that she had a devil watching her the entire time?

I have to talk to her tonight.

“No.”

A familiar voice pulls my gaze from the woman, and I turn to look at Antonio to find his eyes narrowed on me. "What?"

"You've been staring at that girl all fucking day," he says, keeping his voice low so it doesn't carry to the other people seated at our table. "I know what you're thinking, Dante. Don't do it."

My brows arch at his words. My brothers know better than to warn me against something. That only makes me want it even more. “Why not?” I ask, my eyes slowly shifting to her.

“That’s Gia Marino.”

“Aaah, so she’s the bride’s sister,” I muse, turning to look at the bride with her wavy, chocolate brown hair and anxious expression.

It makes sense that the bride would look so nervous on her wedding day when it’s clear she was forced into an arranged marriage.

To be fair, my brother wasn’t happy with the marriage deal either, but he needed to marry.

The burden of bringing two wealthy and powerful Italian families together fell on those two.

I pull my eyes from the couple greeting their guests before dinner is served and to my angel with her bright face and sweet smile. “The sisters look nothing alike.”

“She’s off limits, Dante. I’m warning you not to mess with a Marino sister and create tension within our families. Look elsewhere.”

But how could I possibly look at other women after seeing her? No one comes close to her in this snooze-fest of a wedding. “I think I should go introduce myself,” I say, getting up but Antonio grabs my arm before I can leave our table.

“I’m serious, Dante. Leave the Marino sisters alone!”

“I’m not interested in the other sisters, just her.

" I smirk at my brother, shrugging off his grip before approaching the wedding party's table. As I walk toward her, I notice the excited flush on her cheeks, the way her eyes keep drifting to Sofia and Matteo with unmistakable hope. She’s a romantic, this one—thrilled for her sister despite the circumstances.

She doesn't see the dangerous crime family Sofia married into—she only sees her sister's happiness. And the way she looks at Matteo, with such innocent trust, tells me she has no idea what the Rossi name really means. But despite my family’s reputation, we’re not all monsters.

Matteo, least of all.

Sure, the man has a reputation that rivals the devil's, but there are lines even he won't cross.

He's the firstborn son, making him the face of the Rossi empire and the next don once our father retires. The rest of us—well, we’re not bound by the weight of responsibility.

Antonio carries his share, but Matteo holds all our leashes.

We can afford to be reckless and dangerous within the boundaries he sets.

“She’ll be alright, you know.”

Gia’s head whips up when I stop next to her, those perfectly trimmed brows arching inquisitively. “Sorry?”

“Your sister, she’ll be fine with Matteo,” I tell her, noting with pleasure the twin pink spots that dot her cheeks.

“I can tell you’re worried about your sister but Matteo values and protects family above all else.

Now Sofia is family, and by extension, so are you and your sisters.

He’ll treat her with the care and respect she deserves.

“And how can you be so sure?” she asks in the sweetest voice as she tucks a golden strand of hair behind her ear.

“Because I’m his brother.” My lips twitch at the surprise I read in her eyes, but she looks so fucking beautiful, and my dick twitches behind my fly. I decide to sit before she looks down and notices. "You don't mind if I sit, do you?" I say, nodding at the empty seat beside hers.

“No, I… you’re a Rossi?”

“Guilty,” I chuckle, sitting down next to her. “Dante Rossi. The family negotiator and the brother who gets things done.”

That brings a hint of a smile on her face. "I'm a middle child, too," she says, running her fingers through her hair before turning her chair to face mine. "Will Sofia really be okay with Matteo? I've heard some…not-so-nice things about him, and I just want my sister to be happy."

Her eyes, the prettiest green eyes I have ever seen, watch me, a stranger, with such trust. It's tempting to grab her chair and slide it closer to mine.

To kiss that sexy mouth and feel it part under mine, lick that tongue until I can taste the wine on her lips before making my way down her body.

I can imagine the treasure hidden underneath that lavender dress, waiting for me to explore.

I'd bend her on this table and fuck her senseless…

No, a jewel like her couldn't handle the beast clawing at my chest. She'd need gentle, soothing, and loving.

I want her.

I must have her under me, taking my cock into her tight pussy and sobbing for me to fuck her harder.

I need her over me, back arched as she rides my cock, her small breasts in my palms, fondling and squeezing her perfect mounds, teasing her nipples.

I could seduce her—get us a room at this hotel and show her pleasure she’s never imagined.

My sweet little angel should be concerned more about this Rossi.

I put on my best charming smile as I reach over and pat her hand, assuring her with my eyes as I often do when I need to close a deal.

I was born to charm, seduce, and manipulate or threaten whomever I needed to achieve my goals.

It’s my role in the Rossi family. In my entire life, though, I’ve never wanted to charm and seduce anyone more than Gia Marino.

“Your sister will be fine,” I assure her, something I know to be true. “Matteo will treat his bride with care and respect, I promise you that.”

She smiles and whatever worry there was before fades as she beams up at me, those pretty eyes lighting up with such trust. I should warn her away from me, but when she smiles at me and chats with me the rest of the evening, something shifts inside me.

I approached this table thinking I’d charm her into my bed for one night—a beautiful distraction at an otherwise tedious wedding.

But as we talk, as she laughs at my jokes and blushes at my compliments, I realize one night will never be enough.

This woman, this angel, deserves more than a quick fuck and a goodbye.

She deserves to be worshipped, treasured, kept. And I’m just the man to do it.

The game has changed. Rather than one night of pleasure, I’m playing for keeps. I’ll have to be patient, strategic—weave my web carefully so when she finally realizes she’s caught, she won’t want to escape.