Zandra Valderrama POV I repeat his name in my head over and over again, almost like a meditative mantra. Now that I have a name to his face, he’s a lot less intimidating. Human, even because where the Boss was an idea, Thor Gallardo is a living, breathing man, which means he has weaknesses just like everyone else. Weaknesses I’m hoping to exploit. Too bad he hasn’t come to check on me in a while, instead sending one of his brothers to deliver my meals and keep an eye on me. Coward. I’ve officially lost track of days. Have I been here for a week? A month? It’s really too hard to say, but one thing’s for certain—I’m getting fucking anxious. I know Dad said he needed time to rally the troops and figure out a way to extract me, but what’s taking so long? I want to get out of here. I want to sleep in a fucking bed. You never really appreciate the little things until they’re gone. “What’s today’s date?” I ask Damien. He peeks up over the edge of his phone. “August seventh,” he answers af
Thorton POV “We’ve done it,” Leo informs me. “The entire southern district is ours.” I sit up, instantly alert. “Any resistance?” “No,” Roman says with a chuckle. “We had those Valderrama bitches running away with their tails between their legs.” “Excellent.” “Now what do we do, Boss?” Samuel asks, taking a seat in my office’s singular guest chair. He makes the thing look kiddie-size in contrast to his massive frame. I don’t even bother hiding my smirk as I pick up my phone. Everything’s going according to plan. “Now you leave the rest to me.” Going through the same process to contact Manfred Valderrama is much smoother this time than it was the last. I’m overflowing with confidence. I suspect news of our conquest has already reached the man. Now all that’s left to do is rub it in his face. He answers on the first tone and boy does he sound pissed. “Who do you think you are?” he seethes. “If I ever lay eyes on you—” “This is what’s going to happen,” I interject. “I now have
Cassandra Valderrama POVIf I ever see that son of a bitch again, I swear I’m going to shove my whole foot up his ass. This is the second time they’ve shoved me into the trunk of a car, and I can officially say it’s as bad an experience as the first time. I hate the feeling of being jostled, but I hate being manhandled even more. After what feels like an eternity inside the stuffy trunk, we come to a sudden stop.The screech of tires pierces through my skull, making me dizzier and more exasperated than I already am. I hear footsteps. Shouting. The trunk opens and someone pulls me out. I’m left standing on the ground, the cool air hitting my skin. The car drives away, the engine roaring angrily as someone lays on their horn. It’s all very chaotic and disorienting. Once I’m sure the coast is clear, I pull the hood off my head. The sudden contrast in light stings my eyes, but I don’t think I’ve ever been more pleased to feel the wind on my face. It takes me a couple of seconds to orient
Thor Gallardo POV I move quickly, setting up meetings left, right, and center with Italy’s most notorious criminals. Thieves, smugglers, money launderers—the list is endless. It’s no small secret that the Valderrama has had a tight grip on all illicit activity in the country for the last two decades, raking in the lion’s share of profits. But now that I’ve made a big enough splash, everything’s about to change. The Valderrama are not without enemies, though many have been driven deep underground, biding their time. It took a little organization on my part, but in my experience, it’s who you know and not what you know that can give you a greater edge. “Why have you called us here?” Hakim asks, soaking his large feet beneath the water. “I’ll have you know I’m a very busy man.” “As am I,” adds Rustom, a man I’m convinced is made of nothing but bone. I sit on the edge of the wooden riser, breathing in the steam of the bathhouse. I chose this location for a particular reason, the firs
Zandra Valderrama POV I’ve spent my whole life watching Dad at work, but I never realized how much paperwork was involved with running a mafia. Nothing’s actually physical—because why on Earth would we make the mistake of leaving behind a trail for cops to follow—but the administrative duties of a Mafia Boss are honestly mind-boggling. Treaties, funds transfers, general territory management… “My head hurts,” I grumble from behind Dad’s desk. He chuckles beside me, tapping the computer screen with a patient smile. “You’ll get used to it. It’ll come easier with time. You’ll be doing all this stuff with your eyes closed before you know it.” I push his keyboard away and give him a hard look. “Did you remember to take your medication today? Shouldn’t you be in bed? You need to rest and—” Dad pats me on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about me, sweetheart. Your mother’s giving me enough grief as it is.” “A heart attack,” I grumble, still in disbelief. Dad’s always been as fit as a bull. I
Thorton Gallardo POV The Valentine Club isn’t my idea of a sparkling business venture, but it’s certainly the next step in my series of ever-growing plans. I don’t necessarily want to operate a club, but there’s no denying the revenue potential. I’m not even talking about the ridiculously marked-up liquor prices. I’m talking drugs. The clientele here is the perfect demographic to make a little extra on the side—it’s just a matter of making a deal with the club owner. He gets a cut of the profit, and in turn, he looks the other way—and he doesn’t have to report his earnings to the Valderrama Mafia since it’d all be under the table. It’s a win-win situation. He’d be stupid not to take it. “Let’s make this quick,” Samuel grumbles behind me. It’s not like him to be so jittery. If I had to venture a guess, it’s probably because he’s afraid we’ll get caught by the Valderrama Mafia. We are pushing our luck by being here, after all, but what’s the reward without a little risk? Leo leads th
Zandra Valderrama POV “I’m so pickled.” Alessandra laughs loudly as Vincent and I help her to the car. One of our drivers is already waiting by the curb, the SUV’s engine rumbling steadily. “Take her home,” I tell her bodyguards. “Make sure she’s got plenty of water and an aspirin at her bedside. I have a feeling she’s going to need it tomorrow morning.” Alessandra manages to give me a quizzical look. “Wait, you’re not coming with me?” “I have some… business to take care of.” “Business? What kind of business?” “Family business, Alessandra.” “I’m family.” “Yes, you are.” “You need a fucking vacation, Zandra. All work and no play makes Zandy a dull girl.” I roll my eyes. “I’ve only been at this for a week, babe.” Alessandra throws her arms around me, hugging me tight while resting her cheek against my shoulder. “You’re working too hard. What if you have a heart attack, too?” Her eyes start misting, the softest of sobs bubbling past her lips. Uh oh. In the blink of an eye,
Cassandra Valderrama POV “This is your last chance to tell me to stop, princess,” he growls against the crook of my neck. “Because if you don’t, I’m going to fuck you until you scream my name.” I grip his hair and tug backward, licking my lips in feverish anticipation. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” Thorton gives me a devilish smile. “I’m a man of my word, princess. Now, get on your knees and suck my cock—” I ram my shoulder into him, throwing him back. I step further into the hotel room, my eyes trained on him like a panther waiting to pounce. “Come and get me, then,” I challenge. “It’s no fun if I just give you what you want.” Thor stalks toward me, slipping out of his jacket and loosening his tie. “Careful, princess. I have a competitive streak.” “So do I,” I say, making my way around the couch. The tips of my fingers and toes tingle with anticipation, the undeniable wetness between my legs growing unbearable. At this rate, Thor looks like he’s going to devour me whol