Page 49 of Ruthless Mafia Daddy

“Let’s just say, I need a martini in my hand when I tell you about it.”

“Ooh, now I’m intrigued.” Cassi taps her fingers together like an evil genius.

When we get to Alessandro's, I head straight to the tiny bathroom at the back of the restaurant, feeling a little lightheaded after the walk.

I would put it down to not having eaten much all day due to avoiding Andre, but seeing as I’ve eaten hardly anything in the last week, I know I really need to stock up on the calories tonight before I even think about touching a martini.

“What’d I miss?’ I slip into the chair opposite Cassi.

“Ordered us some water and a round of dirty martinis.” She waggles her eyebrows.

I force a smile, a slight sheen of sweat starting to form on my brow.

Glancing around the tiny restaurant, I feel a sense of home.

It reminds me a lot of my Aunt Maria’s apartment—covered in old photographs and magazine clippings of recipes tacked to the walls. There are only about ten tables in the entire restaurant, each with a red and white checked table cloth and a single tealight candle. The lighting is dim, and the servers barely speak English, but it has that Italian charm that never fails to make me smile.

“Ciao, Lila. Ciao, Cassandra.” Antonio, the owner, places our drinks on the small table. “Where you been, huh? It has been weeks!”

“We are unmarried women, Antonio.” Cassi sighs, shaking her head. “We actually have to work.”

I grin. “Otherwise, of course, we would be here every day.”

“Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” Cassi flashes a wink.

Antonio shakes his head at us, his hands on his hips.

“I bring you extra garlic bread. You girls, too skinny!”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Cassi tosses her long ponytail over her shoulder, smiling like a Cheshire cat.

Once Antonio has scuttled away, distracted by the other regulars, Cassi picks out the olive from her martini and pops it into her mouth.

“If I tell you something.” I pause, taking a deep breath. “You have to promise not to freak out in the middle of this restaurant, ok?”

“Ok?” Cassi frowns, chewing her olive.

I run my hands over the frayed table cloth, keeping my eyes downcast.

“My mystery one-night stand guy from that night with Dirk? Turns out he’s…my new boss.”

There’s a choking sound, followed by a fit of coughing.

I look up to find Cassi red in the face and bug-eyed as she reaches for her water and downs the entire glass in one go. I wait patiently for her to calm down, trying to read her reaction.

“What…The fuck?” She slaps her chest, coughing some more as tears stream down her face.

“I wish I was joking.”

“I repeat, what the fuck?”

So, I dive into the story. Starting with the email I received this morning, thinking it was about my sick leave, only to find Andre sitting behind Max’s desk, informing me that he has bought the company.

I, of course, leave out the way I instantly melted at the sight of him.

“Thankfully, I managed to avoid him all day.” After finishing the story, I cave and take a sip of my martini—the alcohol burning my throat and making my stomach churn.

I grimace, placing the drink back on the table.

---