Page 9 of Mafia Rules

The ringing of his phone interrupts the moment. “Yes. Thank you.” Ash puts the phone down. “It’s go time.”

6

ASH

We entered the private dining room fifteen minutes late because of the traffic. They barely notice with Eve by my side. The red dress hugged her curves in all the right places. My cock takes particular notice of her waist and perfect ass. I can't even explain the effect she has on me.

"This is Eve, my new secretary." My hand instinctively goes to the small of her back in protection mode. She wasn’t used to people like my brothers—like me. Suddenly, I start to regret not keeping her a secret for longer, until I knew she could handle us. My brothers stand as we approach the table. "Ford, Lane, and Hardy." My brothers all had the McKenzie dark-brown hair and a particular charm with the ladies. They were easy to manipulate with a smile.

"Nice to meet you, Eve," Hardy speaks first and sits on her right side. He reached for her hand as she sat down. "May I pour you some wine?"

She glances at me with those sweet green eyes, like a puppy looking for my approval, whispering, "I don't drink. Not that I have anything against it. I just never liked the taste."

"That sounds like a challenge," I whisper in her ear, noticing the red crystal earrings I bought on her lobes matching the flush of her cheeks.

Hardy glances at one server standing behind our table. He quickly brings over a Renato Ratti Barolo Serradenari, pours a glass for Eve, and then stands back, waiting for her approval.

"He's waiting for you to drink," I whisper, not wanting to embarrass her in front of my brothers. I assume she has no clue. It was clear she didn't grow up wealthy, but she had class. She captivates everyone's attention simply by being present—and she seems oblivious that she has this power.

"Oh." Her cheeks flush as she brings the glass to her lips, taking a sip. She coughs, trying to clear her throat before she reaches for her water. It is a dry wine, and she was clearly not expecting that. “It’s delicious.”

“Thank you.” I wave the server away, hiding my amusement at her lack of drinking skills. I’d find something she likes later.

“The update,” Ford is the first to ask. I glance around at Lane and Hardy, and their disinterested expressions make it clear that they are less than thrilled about this project and being here.

I grab my briefcase, take out the presentation packs, and hand them to Eve to hand out to the group. “I’m on track, but need a little more time—”

“You’ve had enough time, Ashton,” Ford interrupts, taking a pack from Eve and dropping it on the table.

“Chill out, Ford,” says Hardy, the oldest of my brothers and the one most likely to get our father's power—unless he gives it to Ford. “Let him talk.”

“The casino needs to clean up their business before we take it over. We can’t set a deadline for that. Page eight.” I flip my book open to that page.

“How muchbusinessdo they need to clean up?” Lane asks. Despite being the second oldest brother, he was a new addition to the family. Our father has only known about him for the past five years, or so he says.

“It’s not our place to ask, but we need a squeaky-clean casino.” I glance at Eve, who is engrossed in the presentation packet, unable to hide her curiosity.Maybe it was a bad idea to bring her.

“Should this be a closed meeting?” Ford asks, looking directly at Eve.

“She’s my right hand on this.” I sit in my seat, my senses heightened and ready for whatever he says next about Eve. The thought of anyone being rude or mean to her makes my chest tighten, and my breath comes in short, shallow gasps.

“She’s fine,” Hardy says, his eyes roaming boldly over her body.

“I need to give something concrete to Dad.” Ford's neck turns a bright shade of red, a telltale sign of his flustered state.

“You know you’re the only fucking one that calls him Dad.” Hardy rolls his eyes and hauls out a cigar to light. He offers one to Eve.

“No, thank you, Hardy, I mean, sir.” Her gaze drops to the table, her chest rising and falling with each awkward breath.

“Long time since anyone called me sir.” With a relaxed posture, Hardy leisurely lights his cigar, wisps of smoke trailing into the air.

“Bet it wasn’t at a table either,” Lane teases Hardy, clearly at Eve’s expense.

“Back to the proposal…” I say, but out of the corner of my eye, I see Eve tugging on the sleeve of her dress, covering a bruise.What the…?The mere thought of someone touching Eve sets me off with anger and interrupts my thoughts. I fixate on her, torn between preserving her innocence and being haunted by the possibility of someone mistreating her.

“Ash?” Ford's voice interrupts my thoughts.

I reach over to Eve, placing my hand over her sleeve, where the bruise is. She shudders and pulls away from me as if I’ve hurt her. Our eyes meet, and her cheeks redden even more. She knows I know her secret. “Excuse us,” I say, standing up and taking Eve’s hand. “I need to confirm something with Eve first.”

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