Page 1 of Stolen Queen

PROLOGUE

Matteo

Istand at the edge of the D’Amato living room, my eyes scanning the tense faces gathered there. The air's thick with barely concealed hostility. Vincenzo Rinella sits looking annoyed while his innocent eighteen-year-old daughter, Ava, wears a perfect mask of piety.

My cousin Elio's absence looms large. He’s the head of the D’Amato family and this meeting is to start the process of a business agreement made eight years ago—his marriage to Ava Rinella.

I catch Lana’s, Elio’s sister’s, eye across the room. She’s looking peeved, although she’s frequently irritated by something or another.

Vicenzo’s eyes narrow. "Where's Elio? Why is he disrespecting me?"

I force a smile, but it may look like a smirk. Sometimes, I find all this Mafia bravado and old-fashioned traditions silly. "Urgent matters required his attention elsewhere. He’s been looking forward to this meeting, I assure you.” I actually have nofucking idea where Elio is. It’s not like him to blow off a meeting, especially with another leader of a Family like Vincenzo Rinella.

Lana moves closer, her voice cool and steady. "My brother sends his apologies. He’ll be here shortly." She’s lying too. She has no idea where Elio is either. But we all play our part.

I glance at Ava, something I really should stop doing. She sits quietly beside her father, a vision of grace and poise. Her raven hair cascades over her shoulders, framing a face of beauty and perfection. And her gray eyes… that’s what draws me the most. She radiates innocence, but her eyes hint at something deep and mysterious. Like there’s an ember burning inside her wanting to grow into a full-fledged inferno.

She's dressed demurely in a white dress I'm sure her parents made her wear to look pure. She doesn't need a white dress to show off her innocence. She's the epitome of naivety. And something about her brings out a fierce need to protect her. But she’s not mine to protect, so I tamp down on the urge.

Ava catches me looking at her and offers a small, polite smile. I give her a reassuring nod. I’ve never thought much of her father, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she saw her upcoming nuptials as a way to escape him. She’s lucky that Elio is a good man, at least to women. He’ll show her respect as the lady of the home. And clearly, she was raised to be a good Mafia wife. They’ll be perfect for each other.

So why the fuck am I agitated by this arrangement? She’s not even my type. Not that I have a type. I’m not a man who has relationships. My type is any woman who is ready, willing, and able to fuck and then move on.

Ava is the opposite. I doubt anyone has told her about sex. Good Lord, what a surprise that will be when Elio consummates their marriage. Envy fills me at the idea of Elio’s hands running over Ava’s porcelain skin, sinking into her virgin pussy.

I shake my head, trying to clear away dangerous thoughts. She's Elio's woman, off-limits in more ways than one.

The sound of the door opening gets my attention, and I’m thankful because these thoughts could get me killed.

“That’s probably Elio. I’ll let him know we’re here.” Lana hurries to the foyer.

“It’s about fucking time,” Vincenzo grumbles.

“How about I refill your drink?” I say, doing my best to appease the asshole.

“How about you?—”

“I’m sorry I’m late.” Elio enters the room, his gaze going to Ava. He inventories her, but not with the eyes of a man appreciating a woman, which is a little surprising. I figured he’d be pleased that she is pretty, and while innocent, she has a body made for fucking.

“Ava, it’s lovely to meet you,” he says to her, all charm and good graces.

She smiles, but I can see she’s operating solely on duty. “You too, Mr. D’Amato.”

“Please, call me Elio.”

They chat for a moment, and Ava shows off her intelligence and poise. She’ll make a good wife. I'm surprised that Elio isn't showing more than polite interest in her.

Finally, dinner is announced. We all enter the dining room where Lana arranged a fancy meal to cement this deal. Elio sits at the head of the table with Ava to his left.

“I hope you’re ready for a full Italian meal. Seven courses,” Elio says with a nod to one of the servants who’ll be serving us tonight.

Ava offers him a polite smile. "I’ve heard about your famous D’Amato dinners."

“Good to know someone is saying something complimentary about the D’Amato family.”

Lana rolls her eyes at Elio's attempt at humor, but I imagine deep down she’s happy that he’s acting invested in this deal.

As the servants set out the first course, I turn my attention to Vincenzo. While this is about introducing Ava to Elio, I know the important player here is Vincenzo. I need to watch and assess, decipher what he might be thinking. It's harder than I anticipated as my attention keeps moving to Ava.

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