Page 16 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

“I’m fine with that,” I said, and I was. I would’ve cut onions and garlic for years in a top restaurant if I could’ve only gotten a chance to be a chef.

“Good! So, in addition to room and board, I believe my brother Roberto said we could offer you – ” He checked a piece of paper on the table. “Four thousand euros. Yes, that’s correct.”

“Four thousand a year?” I asked in disbelief.

I mean, I knew they were going to give me room and board in a gigantic mansion, but 4000 euros was practically nothing.

Niccolo frowned. “What? No – good God, no. Four thousand amonth.”

I stared at him in shock.

I made 1500 euros a month at my current job.

They were going to pay me nearlythree times that amount.

And to live in a palace!

With an insanely hot guy nearby!

When I didn’t say anything for ten seconds, Niccolo prompted me with, “Signorina Martinelli?”

“Oh – I’m sorry – that’s – that’s wonderful,” I exclaimed.

“Good! I’m glad it’s to your liking. Youdorealize that your paycheck is less about your job in the kitchen, and more about the confidentiality that we discussed earlier, correct?” he asked, with just a hint of a menacing tone beneath his cheerful words.

Now it was all out in the open:

I was being paid for my silence.

They wereabsolutelymafia – or something similar.

But again:

Dead-end job back in Florence. No hope of achieving my dream.

Versus living in a mansion and cooking for my job.

I just had one question.

“I understand,” I said. “Um… is Valentino related to you?”

Niccolo looked taken aback – then got a dark look on his face. “Yes, he’s my youngest brother. I take it you met him?”

The brother part wasgreat!

It meant that the hottest guy I’d ever seen probably lived in the mansion, too!

But I was afraid Niccolo was angry at me. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to talk to the family or something.

“In the kitchen,” I said meekly.

“He hasn’t sexually harassed youalready,has he?” Niccolo asked, and I suddenly realized the source of his displeasure.

I wanted to say,I don’t think it’s sexual harassment if you really, REALLY want to fuck the guy.

But that would have been career suicide.

Hey, new mafia boss, I really want to bang your little brother.

---