Page 13 of Mafia King's Forbidden Vows

“I don’t know yet. His identity hasn’t been revealed even to me. But I’ll keep working on fi–”

His words are doing nothing to ease my rage, so I kill the call and drive my free fist into a nearby wall.

“I’ll have our men in the force and the legal team on it immediately,Capo…” Cortez starts. “I’m also going to contact theGuardiano(Guardian) so he ensures nothing of such nature goes to the media…”

I drown out his words, staring angrily at the bloodied wall. My knuckles are burning, but it’s nothing compared to what I feel inside.

It’ll take our legal team time to come up with something tangible, especially with limited information, and I cannot afford any drag with this issue.

I inhale deeply, digging a hand through my hair, when an idea slowly forms in my head.

I turn to Cortez, who’s typing rapidly on his phone. I’m sure he’s summoning the legal team already. “Call the lawyer girl. Set up a meeting with her. It’s time to strike a deal.”

Since Aria Abruzzi appears to be obsessed with maneuvering herself into my world, I will grant her wish.

***

“Siamo qui, signore(We’re here, sir).”

I pull the lapels of my suit jacket tighter around my frame, slide my sunglasses behind my ears, and walk out of the car.

I have no idea how that treacherous little girl will react to the proposition I have for her, but after discovering from the local news that her father was absent from court that day because he was apparently involved in an accident, I assume she’ll be ready to do anything to protect her old man. It’s the only way or, at least, the mostguaranteedway, she can keep herself and her father safe.

Now, here I am about to offer her a deal if she −and her father− want to stay safe.

Soft lighting illuminates the elegant dining room of the restaurant I reserved for this meeting −one of the manyrestaurants I own. The circular dining tables are adorned with crisp linens and fine China with a soft golden lamp in the center.

I can spot her already, as I made sure there would be no one else to infringe on our privacy. She is seated in the farthest corner of the room, her legs crossed on top of each other.

I can’t help but admire her silky, creamy thighs that show from her ridden-up skirt. When she hears the sound of my shoes on the polished wood, she relaxes her tensed shoulders and pretends to lift a coffee mug to her lips.

“You’re late,” she jabs at me the minute I’m close enough. That irritates me, but on closer look, I see that beneath her tough…resistant façade, there’s a hint of fear she’s trying unsuccessfully to hide.Good.

“I have a proposition for you, so listen carefully,” I start, my eyes settling on her face to caution my thoughts as I sit opposite her. “It g—”

“Were you behind my father’s accident?” Her eyes are shooting lasers into mine, and her lips are set in a scowl that seems permanent. For a moment, I wonder what she’s trying to do. If she’s genuinely angry or trying to intimidate me. Either way, it’s funny, but I don’t laugh.

My brows furrow deeply as I study her. Deciding I’m not in the mood for shenanigans, I answer. “No. I didn’t know he was in an accident until I saw the news this morning. If anything, I highlyanticipated seeing him in court and kept wondering why the prosecution had to proceed with the case without him.”

“And why should I believe you?” she asks, fisting her hand on the table. I almost chuckle at her meager attempt at being imposing.

“I don’t care what you believe. I’m a highly respected businessman, darling. Good luck convincing them otherwise.”

She rolls her eyes, then purses her lips and raises a brow.

Even with all of that attitude, I want to lick whatever flavor of lipstick has those sexy lips in a sinful shade of pink.

Clearing my throat, I continue. “I want to solve my problems and… yours—”

“I don’t have any problems,” she interrupts dryly, folding her arms below her breasts.

My eyes are trained for a moment on the full, creamy flesh peeking out of her cleavage, and my hands itch to knead them. I tighten my jaw. Barely three minutes of conversation, and she’s already fucking driving me crazy. I hate that she’s having this effect on me.

“With a single strike...” I continue, daring her to interrupt me again with a tense gaze. She matches my gaze and, yet again, does interrupt.

“It would be best for both of us if you get to the point already.”

Too fucking stubborn.

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