Page 18 of Surprise Baby for the Mafia Boss

“There’s something I need you to do for me. A favor of sorts. It’ll be fun for you, too, though, if you agree,” I say quickly, wanting to get right to the point.

She says nothing, so I continue, “I have an event that I need to attend. I’ve been invited by the Mexican partners—the ones I was busy dealing with when…when I had to come home. But they want me to bring a date with me. I need to appease them so that we can get back on track with this deal. It’s important.”

She’s staring at me, I can’t read her expression, but her finger twirling in her silky hair tells me she’s thinking about it at least.

The silence between us is tense, and the longer she stays silent, the more I find myself staring at her piercing green eyes, her full pink lips, those perfect fingers that were gripping onto my body just a few nights ago…

I snap myself out of that train of thought before it derails me completely, and decide to break the silence.

“I can trust you, Emelia. You know enough about the business to not screw this up. And I need to not screw this up. This is not an indecent proposal, by any means. I will ensure that you enjoy yourself while you are there, and you will be helping the family with this deal.”

At the word "family", I see her perk up immediately.

Emelia seems to have an undying need to be a Baldini herself, and perhaps I subconsciously used that to my advantage just now. But it worked. Her reply comes faster than I expected.

“Okay, Luca. I’ll come with you. Just let me know when we leave, and be sure to have plenty of litchi juice on the jet, okay?”

“Okay.” I hold out my hand to shake hers, a sign that this is a business arrangement, in case she got any ideas about continuing our lookout activities.

She looks down at my hand, up to my face, and back to my outstretched hand.

“You’re so funny, Luca Baldini.” She giggles before bouncing back out to join my sister and cousin. I stand for a second more before I pull my hand back in and shake my head.

I hope I’m not making a mistake, but truthfully, Emelia is the best option I have right now.

Chapter Ten

Emelia

I twirl a strand of hair around my index finger as I look out of the jet’s window, watching the landscape change from familiar to foreign.

I’ve never been to Mexico, and honestly if it’s not Cabo we’re going to, I’m not sure I’m going to love the place. But Luca had asked me, not any of the other puttana girls he could have taken with him. Me.

I have to make sure he doesn’t regret the choice.

I’ve learned how to win over all kinds of criminal masterminds, thanks to Daddy’s many meetings that he always chose to take at home. I’m sure I can handle a few Mexican men for a weekend, and one smokin' hot Italian too.

Another thought going around and around in my mind is Grazia’s reaction to me going to Mexico with her brother. I had avoided telling her until we were just about to leave, and she had been understandably upset.

When I get back, I’m going to have to smooth things over with her.

We land and I step out of the jet behind Luca, letting him greet the men who are waiting on the landing strip for us. They’re big, muscly Mexicans, all dressed in black, and their faces are blank. If anyone thinks that Luca lacks emotion, they should see these guys.

My stomach feels tight, realizing who we’re about to fraternize with. But I know that I have Luca here and he’ll make sure I get home safely.

The men all greet each other politely enough, and then Luca turns to introduce me to them. I see him smile just slightly when he says my name, and I’m not sure if it’s a smile for me or just a show for the Mexicans.

“Ah Luca,” says the guy with a warmest smile but a gnarly scar across his cheek. Luca had introduced him as Raul, and they seemed to know each other best. “You’ve got good taste in women.”

I blush, and Raul takes my hand and kisses it. Luca doesn’t reply, but I’m sure I see a glint in his eye.

I’m not exactly dressed to impress, with my hair in a messy bun on top of my head and my outfit consisting of a plain white tank top and denim shorts.

Luca hadn’t warned me that we’d be meeting the partners right as we landed. Luca hadn’t actually said much to me since he’d asked me to come with him.

We all pile into two cars and set off towards the house that we’re apparently staying in. I was hoping for a hotel, with room service and possibly a rooftop pool, but I have to remind myself why I’m here.

This is for business, and for the family. I am here to be Luca’s partner and to help him gain back the Mexicans’ trust. If that means sleeping in their guestroom for a couple of days, so be it.

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