Page 8 of Mafioso's Muse

‘This is Lili Chén,’ Willow said. ‘She’s also in the ensemble.’

He nodded once. ‘Miss Chén.’

‘We have to go.’ Lili placed herself between them like a shield and took Willow by the arm. ‘There’s someone Harrison wants you to meet.’ She looked back at Vaughn and forced a smile. ‘You have a good night, Mr Gallo.’

He watched as Willow was ushered back to the safety of the lounge. At least she had good friends.

Vaughn’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He fished it out and saw Finn’s name on the screen. He answered. ‘Yeah?’

‘Car’s out front when you’re ready,’ his driver informed him.

He glanced in Willow’s direction. ‘I’m on my way.’

The VIP area was dimly lit, with sleek leather lounges and that air of exclusivity. Classical music played in the background as Willow sat sipping champagne and listening to Lili fill her in on Vaughn Gallo and his ties to Melbourne mafia.

‘Have you really not heard of the Merit Group?’ Lili asked in disbelief.

‘I’m from Sydney, remember?’

Lili pointed over the rope. ‘Hisentirefamily are criminals. They own DeLuca Construction.’ She paused there as though waiting for the penny to drop.

‘Okay,’ Willow said.

Lili rolled her eyes. ‘You would definitely have heard of them. They were in and out of court last year for dodgy workmanship that resulted in peopledying.’

Willow looked out over the rope, searching for him, but he was nowhere to be found. ‘Relax. I was just complimenting him on his interior design choices, not asking how to join his gang.’

‘Gang?’ Lili laughed harshly. ‘Mafia. And you were flirting. I could see it from all the way over here.’

‘At least he’s well connected,’ Willow joked.

Lili shook her head. ‘That’s not funny.’

‘He barely seems old enough to have such a long criminal record.’

‘Don’t be fooled by those pretty eyes of his. He’s twenty-eight.’

‘That’s young.’

Lili tilted her head. ‘No, because in mafia years, he’s probably around forty. Those men are aged by their experiences.’

Laughter fell from Willow. ‘You’re just making stuff up now.’

‘Yes, I am, to ensure you stay away from him.’

In truth, Willow was having difficulty reconciling the notion of the mafia with the man she’d just met. She could see why people would be intimidated by his physical appearance, especially with all those tattoos, but his love of the arts and subtle sense of humour had put her at ease. Admittedly, all of her mafia knowledge came from Hollywood depictions. ‘This DeLuca court case. Were they found guilty?’

‘Of course not. They’re notorious for getting away with all kinds of crimes.’ Lili drank from her champagne glass before continuing. ‘Vaughn Gallo was a key witness, you know. He was there the night it happened. Rumour has it that the case caused a bit of a rift in the family.’

Before Willow could ask any further questions, Nigel and Harrison appeared in front of them.

‘Ladies,’ Nigel said. ‘Forgive the interruption.’ He looked at Willow. ‘I noticed you were speaking with Vaughn Gallo. It was a far longer conversation than most people manage to get from him.’

Willow’s gaze flicked to Lili. ‘It seems a few people noticed that conversation.’

‘What were you discussing with him?’ Harrison asked, sounding a little agitated.

The weight of everyone’s stares had Willow shrinking into the lounge. She cleared her throat. ‘Art. Family?—’

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