The Mafia's Virgin Deal

urvive after her father's death when she was just twelve. With no inheritance to speak of and her mother diagnosed with cancer, Bella had no choice but to drop out of school to

um of conversation and clinking of dishes didn't make her feel at home. They reminded her of how far she was

er's health had deteriorated rapidly in the past month. The doctors had given them no hope

ad-shouldered, and dressed in a black suit that screamed money and power. His dark eyes scanned the room, immediately hon

oice cut through the low murmur of

d, her th

her with an intensity that made her uncomfortable. "I

was, the infamous mafia boss, known for his ruthless ways and cold-hearted

asked, forcing herself to speak, eve

r, his eyes not leaving hers. "Half a mil

amount she could never dream of earning in a lifetime

, then back up at Adrian. "

y, his voice lowerin

ike a slap across her face. It couldn't be

hat much money?" Bella as

s eyes were unreadable. "Damion is known for mak

the envelope in his face and walk away. But then, her mother's pale face flashed before her eyes. The bills, the

nk about it," she s

," Adrian said, standing up

t the envelope for a long time, her mind racing. The decision before her was impossible. The money was mo

t wha

m of idle chatter. She felt like a prisoner, trapped in a cage with no way out. How could she possibly say yes t

choice di

. Her heart was a mixture of hope and guilt, and she knew that once she made the decision,

her mother's face, pale and sickly, lying in a hospital bed. The th

elonged to Damion Van Zandt. The gates were tall, and the guards who watc

d her through the lavish halls of the estate, past walls of expensive art and intricate de

large mahogany desk, his back turned to her as he st

orrect?" His voice was

d, her th

t made her feel as though he were looking straight through her. For a moment, she wondered if h

his lips curling into a half-smile. "

she took it, she felt the weight of h

o hear her own voice. "But I need the money. An

But in the next breath, he was the mafia bo

nd the rules. This is just bus

was no longer hers. The deal wa