Page 15 of Mob Queen

“I understand.”

A silent exchange happens between us. I walk into the bathroom and take my time drying my hair. My stomach roils with uncertainty. Maybe I shouldn’t have threatened him, but he also needs to understand that this family is not a game. My hands shake as I turn the hairdryer off and stare at my reflection in the mirror.

It’s awfully quiet in my room. Maybe my brother has left. And if he did, I’ll respect his choice and wishes.

I lean on the basin and close my eyes, taking deep breaths to push the sick gurgling in my throat down. My eyes snap open and I stare at myself for another moment before pulling my shoulders back, lifting my chin and heading out to my bedroom.

Where I find Rome leaning against the wall, looking down over the garden.

He turns to look at me and pushes off the wall. He shoves his hands into his pants pockets. “Boss.”

Good.

Chapter 5

Frankie

“Wow, look at you,” Rome says as he casts his eyes down my body. “That dress is something else.”

I smile at him triumphantly. “I want people talking about me.”

“Red dress, black gloves, and gold jewelry. I’m sure that’s exactly what’ll happen. Tongues will wag.”

He holds his arm out for me. “You look okay in a tuxedo.” Rome looks to G. “Yes, get used to wearing a suit, because that’s how the head of this family dresses.”

“I was wondering why G wasn’t dressed in a penguin suit too.”

“Because I’m there to protect Frankie and you,” G says. “Actually, you’ve done me a great favor by not making me dress in one of those monkey suits to be Frank’s plus one at this stupid ball. By the way, it’s still a bad idea for the head of the DeLuca family to be at a ball with the chief of police, lawyers and God knows who else wants to lock you up.”

I walk over to G and fix his tie before flicking some fluff off his shoulder. “You worry too much.”

“Jeremy Miller is a shark, and he’ll annihilate you,” G warns.

I lean over and kiss his cheek. “Do you underestimate me, G?”

“Hell no. I know you’re a force, but I think this is a waste of time. Jeremy Miller isn’t going to budge.”

“Just so I have this right, we’re going to a ball for this Jeremy guy because he’s going to be the current senator?”

“Governor,” I correct.

“And you need him why?”

“Because the last governor was in our pocket, but this one is anti-corruption,” G says matter-of-factly.

Rome snorts with laughter. “A governor who’s not corrupt. Okay, that’s a first,” he says sarcastically.

“He’s not interested in anything I’m offering, so I thought I’d see if I can personally change his mind.”

G wolf-whistles as we head toward the door. “In that dress I’m sure you can get anything you want.”

Yeah, I look good. I strut out to the front where Dario is waiting with the back door open.

* * *

“Can they be any more pompous?” Rome says as we approach our table.

“Wow, what a waste of money. Look at all these elaborate decorations they’ve spent tax-payer money on. And they call me a criminal.”

---