Falling for the Killer: A Dark Possessive Mafia Romance by B.B Hamel (books to read for beginners .txt) 📗

“I know the way,” Gian said and headed down the hallway.

Bea gave me a scrutinizing look and I quickly followed after Gian. “Is that his housekeeper?” I whispered.

“And his personal secretary and some people think she’s the brains behind the whole operation,” Gian said, and shrugged. “I think she’s too nice for that, but I’ve been wrong before.”

The Don’s office was behind a set of big oak doors. It was dim and packed with bookshelves. Leather-bound tomes practically tumbled onto the floor. The Don’s desk was enormous and mahogany, and the whole place smelled like my damn childhood.

The Don himself was a thin man in his seventies, wrinkled, sallow skin, bags under his eyes, thinning gray hair. He was gaunt and skeletal, and his clothes almost hung off him. Gian stepped forward and bowed his head in reverence, and I stayed back toward the door, not sure what to do.

But the Don beckoned me in. “Come, stand with Gian where I can see you,” he said.

I hesitated, then moved forward. I pressed my shoulder against Gian’s arm. “Hello, uh, sir,” I said. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Ashleigh Adamson,” the Don said. His voice was deep and raspy. “Standing before me with Giancarlo. I never imagined the day he’d bring a girl like you to visit me.”

“I’m a lucky man, Don Valentino,” Gian said, grinning.

“It’s not like that,” I said quickly, glaring up at him. “We’re not, uh, together.”

“But I understand the two of you are linked inextricably now.” The Don frowned at my stomach, then back up at me.

I blushed and nodded. “Yes, Don Valentino,” I said.

“Children are a beautiful thing,” the Don said, sounding almost wistful. “But they change a man. Are you prepared for that, Gian?”

“I don’t know, Don,” Gian said, and I was surprised by his honesty. He seemed so intent on staying in this baby’s life, but he seemed unsure all of a sudden. I felt like I stood on shifting, shaky ground, and was reminded again that I didn’t know this man.

I was in a strange place, standing in front of a strange old man. He was the Don of a crime family, and I knew I should be afraid, but the study seemed so much like my father’s, like every rich man I knew. It was strangely familiar, and I couldn’t see the Don as anything other than another wealthy aristocrat with too much money and time.

Even if he was a killer, below all that.

“I suppose you’ll find out.” The Don looked at me then and frowned deeply. “Your family is going to be a problem for me.”

“I don’t think so,” I said quickly. “I spoke with them, and they’re cutting me off. I think I’m going to bear the punishment.”

The Don shook his head. “Once they learn you’re staying with one of my men, you’re going to be a problem for me. Which is why I called you in here today.”

“Don,” Gian said, suddenly tense. “I can take care of her and her family. You don’t have to worry.”

“I want the girl to go home,” the Don said, staring up at Gian.

A heavy silence fell. I thought I might fall into the nearby chair. I was hungry and tired and alone, god, so alone, surrounded by strange men. I couldn’t go home, not now, and yet the Don was going to force me. If that happened, I didn’t know what I’d do. My family would destroy me. They’d lock me in a closet and force me to marry Stuart, who’d spend the rest of his life taking his anger out on me.

I couldn’t go home. There was no future back home.

“Sir,” Gian said. “That’s not going to happen, with all due respect.”

The Don laughed once, sharp and harsh. “All due respect,” he said. “If you respected me, you’d do as I say.”

“She’s carrying my baby and her family won’t support her,” Gian said. “They’ll make her marry some scumbag—”

“Stuart Plight,” the Don said, and I thought I might puke. He knew Stuart already. He knew too much. “Another rich family I do not want to get involved with.”

“I’ll handle him,” Gian said. “Sir, she’s staying with me. Her and the baby.”

The don looked at me. “Is that what you want?” he asked. “You want to give up all the privilege you know to be with this man?” He gestured at Gian like pointing toward garbage.

I nodded once. “Yes, Don Valentino. I don’t have anywhere else to go, and Gian’s been good to me.”

The Don sat back in his chair and sighed. “I can’t force you to go. I will make myself clear though. You are Gian’s problem, and if you interfere with his work, I will take matters into my hands. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, sir,” I said.

“Thank you, Don,” Gian said. “I won’t let you down.”

“You already have,” the Don said. “For fuck’s sake, Gian. An Adamson girl?” The Don shook his head and I felt dizzy. I clutched at Gian’s arm and he pulled me against him, which only made the Don sneer.

“I’ll handle it,” Gian said firmly.

“See that you do.” The Don waved a hand and dismissed us.

Gian tugged me along and headed toward the door. I stopped suddenly and looked back. The Don’s eyes burrowed into mine.

“I can be useful,” I said suddenly.

The Don tilted his head. “How?” he asked, drawing the word out.

“I know people,” I said. “And they know me. Maybe I can open doors for you.”

The Don frowned deeply but nodded once. “I’ll keep that in mind. Go now, before I change my mind.”

I turned and hurried after Gian. We left through the front, and the smell of baking cookies wafted through the halls after us. I couldn’t imagine that house, with that horrible man, smelling so good. Bea must’ve been cooking.

In the truck, Gian put a hand on my knee. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“I think so,” I said, my hand trembling. “He hates me,