Page 1 of Mob Queen

Prologue

Frankie

“Have you spoken with that brother of yours?” Dad asks as we drive toward one of our restaurants. His focus is on his phone, and the way he’s asked the question is supposed to make me think he doesn’t care. But I know better.

“No, not for about a month or so.”

“Hm,” Dad grumbles. “He should be here.”

“He doesn’t want this lifestyle, and you know it.” Dad’s mouth contorts with dissatisfaction. “You could always call him.”

Dad slowly turns to look at me and arches a brow. “G,” he calls while he staring at me.

“Yes, sir?” G, Dad’s personal security and consigliere replies.

“How long until we’re at the restaurant?”

I roll my eyes and turn to stare at the building we’re passing. Dad knows exactly how long it’ll take for us to reach our destination, because this is where we hold our meetings when the heads of the families need to come together.

“Ten minutes.”

I lean against the door and place my head on the glass to look up at the inky dark sky. “Frankie,” Dad says.

“Yeah.” A small sigh escapes my lips. I hate it when he brings my brother into this. “What?” I intake a deep breath then turn to look at him.

“Rome needs to return to the family.”

“Then call him,” I counter.

“Sir,” G says as the car rolls to a stop. G is out of the car, and holding the back door open for Dad in a heartbeat.

Dad cocks a brow before sliding out and waits for me. Once I’m by my father’s side, G closes the door and rushes ahead to the entrance of the restaurant. “It’s important we get the Augustas to fall into line,” Dad says.

My teeth grind at the name of that family. My blood boils and instant distaste gurgles in the pit of my stomach. I hate those assholes. “Cut ties with them,” I say.

“No,” Dad barks with too much force. G pulls a chair out for me, and I give him a curt nod. “We need them and they need us. Just because you don’t like the way they do business…”

“They keep their whores addicted so they can’t leave. That’s no way to treat the prostitutes.”

“What they do in their area is their business.”

“But ?”

Dad smacks the top of the table. “Enough, Frankie. No more talk about the Augustas.”

I clench my jaw together, frustrated that our family is in bed with the scum of the underworld ? the Augustas. The quicker Dad realizes we’re done with them, the better it’ll be for us. I straighten in my seat and hold my head high. This meeting needs to take place, and I have to push my indifference for the Augusta family down until the meeting is over.

“Sir,” G says when he appears beside me. Dad and I both look over to him. “Don Sacco and his underboss, Dominic,” he announces.

The Saccos are a damned good-looking family, and I can’t help but check them out as they arrogantly waltz in for the meeting.

Dad stands and extends his hand to Ruben Sacco. “Giovanni, good to see you,” Ruben announces as he shakes Dad’s hand. “Frankie.” He gives me a nod and smile.

“Ruben.” I stand and lean in to give him a kiss on both cheeks. “Dominic,” I acknowledge with the same European kiss gesture.

“Frankie.” Dominic sits beside me at the massive round table and Ruben sits beside Dominic. I glance behind me and see two of their men standing by the front door, cautiously keeping an eye on our surroundings.

Dad and Ruben exchange pleasantries while we wait for the Venanzis and the Augustas. It doesn’t take long before Petro Augusta arrives. He waltzes into the restaurant dressed like a fucking pimp. Submissively trailing after her father is his young daughter Elena. What the fuck is she doing here? Dominic clears his throat and I can tell he’s not impressed that Petro brought his daughter either.

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