The Mafia Contract Series

Five minutes in and I’m ready to kill Sunny in cold blood. She chatters on about how much money Pedro spends on her and I want to pull my own ears off. As always, Vivian is polite and feigns interest, but I resist openly yawning. Luckily, as we make our way through their palatial home, a familiar face heads our way, holding the hand of a mini version of herself.

“Gloria.” I open my arms and she beams broadly and heads into them. “Louisa, you are glowing, wait…” She steps back and the knowing glint in her eyes makes me laugh out loud.

“I want to hear all about it.” She turns to Sunny and says quickly, “I’m taking Louisa off your hands for a catch up. I hope you don’t mind.”

Sunny shakes her head and Vivian looks as if she would prefer to join us. “It’s fine. You kids go and catch up. Vivian and I will enjoy a cozy chat while I show her how generous your father is.”

As they head off, Gloria rolls her eyes. “She won’t last long. She’s annoying as fuck and even my father can’t be that stupid.”

“What happened to Polly? I always liked her.” Polly was wife number three and Gloria sighs.

“She was great. In fact, we are still in touch, but my father decided he fancied a change and that was it. I’m sure he regrets it now, but she went on to marry the chief of police.”

We both laugh out loud, and Gloria grins. “I’m pretty sure he’s still pumping her for information about my father.”

We laugh even more and the little angel holding her mother’s hand whines. “Mommy, I want to go swimming, you promised.”

“Of course, my angel, I’ll find Maria. She will go with you.”

I follow them toward the open doors and as we step back out into the sunshine, I take a deep breath of pure oxygen. I’ve always loved coming here and spent many happy vacations in the company of Pedro’s daughters, who were like sisters to me. Gloria in particular and as we settle down on the sunbeds, while Sophia runs to her nanny, who appears from out of nowhere, Gloria texts the maid to bring us a pitcher of lemonade and some cookies.

“This is nice. Are you here for long?”

She looks hopeful of that, and I sigh. “Only for the day. We need your father’s help.”

Gloria looks worried. “Are you in trouble?”

“Not me, but well, I should start at the beginning.”

By the time I finish my story, Gloria’s eyes are wide, and she looks worried. “My father will help, but are you sure this guy is genuine?”

As I think of Flynn, my expression softens, and she rolls her eyes. “For fuck’s sake, I recognize that look. You’re in love.”

“I am.”

I can’t deny it and she grins, looking so pleased for me it makes me smile.

“I can’t wait to meet him.”

“He’s a little different.”

“In what way?”

“Mafia.” I only need to say one word, and Gloria’s eyes widen. “And you’re happy with that?”

“Wait until you meet him.”

I giggle and she shakes her head slowly. “But that won’t be easy. Trust me, I know what it’s like living under a threat your entire life.”

Gloria married the son of her father’s consigliere, and he has a firm hand in their family business.

If anyone knows what it’s like living with a man like Flynn, it’s Gloria.

“It can be hard and knowing you, I’m guessing you will struggle with that.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re so independent. I remember you want to be part of your dad’s business. Knowing how this world operates, I’m guessing your Flynn would assign you a bodyguard and you would never be allowed out on your own.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I laugh out loud and Gloria stares at me with a serious expression. “I mean it, honey. This world is dangerous. It’s why we live under close protection. There are many enemies out there who will use you against him. You will become a target and he will do everything possible to keep you alive.”

I’m not liking this conversation and it must show on my face because she says gently, “Trust me, you need all the facts. I don’t know Flynn, but I understand the world he operates in. It’s hard, cruel, and violent, and it takes a special person to survive it.”

“You don’t think I can?”

I inject some steel into my voice, and she laughs out loud. “Of course, you can, but it won’t come without sacrifice. Take me, for instance.”

She looks across at her daughter and shakes her head sadly. “Sophia will never enjoy freedom.All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

Her friends have been chosen based on their parentage and she will never be free to choose her own.

Her life will be spent in a gilded cage, much like mine, and we sacrifice normal life for riches gained from misery. I’m not sure this will sit well with you, so consider it carefully before lust renders you blind.”

I know she is right, and I shake my head and sigh. “It’s not been that easy for me either, Gloria.

Yes, I have my freedom, which I value above everything. But I have never really enjoyed that, anyway. I’m the daughter of a billionaire and have my own restrictions because of it. I’m included in other people’s lives because of who my father is, and I’m judged because of it. Any guys that head my way are doing so because of him. Since meeting Flynn, I finally understand what it’s like to be desired. He can’t fake that; I see it in his eyes. He’s as lost as I am, and we recognize that in one another. Maybe we won’t last the distance, but any distance at all is better than never experiencing what I feel when I’m with him.”

Gloria smiles softly and I see tears in her eyes. “I’m happy for you, Louisa. Really happy for you because love does have a habit of sweeping away any problems and making everything work.”

As Sophia screams with laughter, I notice for the first time a small bump in Gloria’s belly and shriek, “Oh my God, when?”

She looks down and laughs. “Six months. We already found out it’s a boy.” She rolls her eyes.

“God help us.”

Thinking about Rodriguez, her husband, I must agree with her there. Dark, brooding, and dangerous, he could make the sun freeze and I’m hoping she sees a softer side to him because that man scares me to death.

We spend the next hour chatting about life, and I love every minute of it. Any time spent with my uncle and his daughters is a pleasure and now I have Flynn, I really do believe my life is complete.