Fuck.I felt my cock stir. I wished she could sit beside me so I could bask in her sweet scent, beauty, and conversation.

“Daddy, makes the best fried chicken in Philly.”

Her father owned the restaurant. Which meant she’d been here for years.

“Is that your favorite?”

She grinned. “My favorite is the smothered pork chops. If I have a taste for seafood, I’d go with the fried catfish.” “Oh, and the shrimp and grits...” Melanie tilted her head up. “...are fantastic.”

The way her eyes rolled into the back of her head, I’d say shrimp and grits were her favorite.

“I’ll have the shrimp and grits.”

She smiled at me. “Good choice.” Melanie stepped back to the side of the table.

Her thick eyebrows brought out her almond-shaped eyes. Her round, yet slightly pointed nose was the perfect size for her oval-shaped face.

“How about a glass of lemonade?”

“Yeah, sounds good.”

“I’ll grab your drink. Your meal should be ready in about twenty minutes.” She smiled and turned on her heels.

My eyes gravitated to her ass. It was so round. I wanted to squeeze it.

In six months, I’d marry Otello Vitale’s daughter, Rosetta. On the same day the Vitales and the Contis would become one big crime family. And I’d control it all. That was the agreement our fathers reached.

Melanie returned with my drink, then darted over to help another customer.

The marriage arrangement had nothing to do with love. It was a business transaction. Although, Otello made it a point to tell me he’d love a few grand kids. I wanted to tell him to get the fuck out of here. Having kids with a woman I didn’t love didn’t seem natural. I knew in other cultures it happened all the time. In my very own circle, there were men in other mafia families in arranged marriages. They started families. I just couldn’t see that happening.

Rosetta was a pretty woman, but I wasn’t sexually attracted to her. Maybe over time I could grow to tolerate her. Then we’d have sex. I wasn’t certain. I knew the beautiful woman waiting on me tonight had my undivided attention.

On my way out the door, I offered the hostess one hundred dollars for Melanie’s work schedule for the upcoming week.

She stared me up and down. “You want me to give you my sister's work schedule?” Her lips twisted.

“I only want to eat here if she’s, my server. If you give me her schedule the next time, I come in, I’ll have another hundred dollars for you.”

She placed her hands on her slender hips, staring up at me. “All of a sudden Luciano Conti wants to eat at our family restaurant. Dad said your father is trouble. Does that mean you're trouble, too?”

I raised a brow. “You’ve heard of me?”

“Who hasn’t? Your father runs this city.”

Melanie probably knew who I was, too. The information about my arranged marriage hadn’t been announced yet. I’d tell Melanie myself before the press was made aware.

“She’s dating someone else. Besides, she’s not into gangsters.”

Her sister had a mouth on her.

I held the hundred-dollar bill between us. “What’s your name?”

Her eyes widened. “Why?”

“I’d like to know who I’m paying every week.”

She swallowed hard. “You’re willing to pay me one hundred dollars a week, so you can sit in my sister’s section?”