The Mafia Vows of Vengeance

e did. The air was thick with smoke, the low hum of conversation mingling with the clink of glasses. Men in

erpriced whiskey or the lingering scent of danger that came with being in a place like this. No, sh

Valenti family had been gunned down in their own home like animals. She had been a teenager then, too young to sto

eo C

he head of the empire th

and learning the underbelly of the world she was born into. Revenge had

der asked, wiping h

wasn't the same girl who had fled into the night, drenched i

ched it. Her focus was on the man sitting i

eo C

stone. Dark hair, piercing eyes, and an aura of absolute authority. A m

gers tapping lazily against the rim of his glass. The men flanki

, sitting this close to the man who had taken everything f

...

ction to the predator

She needed to get close to him, gain his trust, make him believe she wa

ne of Matteo's men watching her. He was tall, built

," he said, jerking hi

se, tilting her head

d. "Then I car

d easy. "Well, we w

arstool and followed him. As she approached the booth, Matteo's

, his voice de

e

e," he noted, swirling

," she repli

ce ever

it- the first move in a deadly game. Swaby Nolan had re

udied her, assessing, calculating. The air in the private booth was thick wi

he repeated, swirling the

ssed her legs, deliberately slow, letting the slit of her dress reveal just enough to be a d

aying at the corner of his lips. "

That you don't tolerate disloyalty. That the people in this room would rather take a bullet than

Around the booth, Matteo's men t

d- a deep, rich sound that sent a

his drink. "Not many people have the gut

many people interest

eepened. "And ye

am," she

closer, and for the first time, she could truly appreciate the intensity of h

asked, his voice d

use her real name- he'd recognize it instantly.

othly. "Business consultant.

"A consultant? That'

ueness keeps peo

inst his glass. "And what does

heard things about you, Mr. Costa. About your empire. About the way you handle business." She l

er very existence. Then, he leaned back and exchanged a glance with the man to

ut breaking eye contact with

ink she's got balls." His gaze flickered over her before he t

hought. "Trouble c

"Only if you c

nk. He turned his gaze back to her, sharp and unwavering. "Let's see if you're as useful a

atisfaction curling in h

ss in a mock toast. "

rs

l night air did little to calm the storm inside

st the pavement. The city pulsed around her-bright neon signs

he thought about Matteo Costa. He was supposed to be a monster, nothing more. But sitting across from him, feeling t

coat, fingers brushing the cool metal of the knife strapped to

ent?" she asked wit

nfirmed her suspi

brick wall, arms crossed, eyes sharp with curiosity. "Boss

h? And what is it you'r

l, stepping closer. "

unfazed. "And

word, he disappeared back into the shadows. Swaby exhaled slowly. This was just the beginning. Tomorrow night, she