Mafia's first love

r-old with long, curly blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, stepped out of her father's sleek black lim

she attend this high-profile charity gala. He wanted to showcase their

ed her. She exchanged polite smiles and air-kisses with the who's w

oss, Marco Russo. Christian's chiseled features and piercing brown eyes seemed to bore

e felt an inexplicable jolt of electricity, as if the e

of curiosity, maybe even hostility, but she couldn't look away. The air see

roduced her to a potential business partner. Hailey forced a bright smile,

lurking on the periphery of the party. They exchanged brief, charged

art racing with anticipation. What was it about him that drew her in? She

the beginning of the obstacles they'd face. Their love was doomed from the st

onto hers with an intensity that left her breathless. For a moment

nd disappeared into the crowd, leaving H

e felt like he had seen right through her, to the very soul. She tried to

an in the crowd. She didn't know what she wanted to say to him,

stian standing by the bar, sipping a drink. She made

?" Hailey asked, tr

narrowing slightly. "Not at all,"

him. They sat there in silence for a moment, si

ed on hers. "So, what brings you here ton

play it cool. "Just support

exactly the philanthropic type, are you?"

cheeks. "Hey, I resent that," sh

not trying to insult you, Hailey.

There was something about Christian that drew her in,

er thought possible. She told him about her dreams, her fears, and her passi

eling that Christian was hiding something from her. She di

d more at ease with Christian. She couldn't believe how ea

shake off the feeling that Christian was hiding something from he

ing to him with a curious expressi

wariness in his eyes. "What do you want

"I don't know. Ev

, husky sound. "Well, I'm

ith something simple," she said, her voice barely

w passing across his face. "I don't really hav

hat could be so demanding that C

n?" she asked, h

s business is... complicated,"

an's family was involved in some shady dealin

ed, her voice skeptical.

er in their depths. "It means that my family's busin

e. She had never seen Christian like t

voice barely above a whis

ng up again. "It's okay," he said, his voice ge

What did Christian mean? Why wo

hristian stood up, his eyes locked on her

She didn't want the night to end, di

's hand brushed against hers,

d," he said, his voice lo

at she would see Christian again, knew tha

of excitement, of anticipation. She knew that her life

e felt like he had seen right through her, to the very soul. She tried to

Hailey's father approached her, a

to you about something,"

he knew that tone, kne

" she asked, tryi

on hers. "I know you met Christian Russo tonight," he said, his

fiance. Why was her fathe

d, trying to so

s are not good people, Hailey. They're involved in some

eyes. She had he

elf, Dad," she said, tr

don't understand, Hailey. The Russos are

er spine. She had never seen he

ouldn't promise to stay away from Christian. She was dr

lp but wonder what secrets Christian was hiding, and whether