Page 20 of Ruthless Mafia Boss 3: Vino and Claire

Margo tapped a long, yellow nail against her bottom lip. “I can definitely work with her.”

“Great,” I replied.

“Please, have a seat.” Margo flashed a smile, one that screamed she thought she’d just hit the jackpot.

“May I see her portfolio?” she asked, her fingers already twitching in anticipation.

Maddie and I settled in at the oversized white desk in the black high-back chairs. The wall behind Margo lined with magazine covers showcasing her so-called achievements. She believed they made her powerful.

I held up a flash drive. “Yes, but first, I have a few questions.”

Margo steepled her fingers. “Fire away.”

“Which designers do you work with?” I asked.

“All the majors,” she said, grinning like a cat who’d just swallowed a canary.

“Maddie has worked with many of them.” I leaned in slightly, watching for any reaction. “What about cutting-edge designers? I want her in pieces that aren’t seen anywhere else.”

Margo’s smile thinned. “Of course. I have two in mind. After reviewing her portfolio, we can move forward.”

“Sure.” I placed the flash drive in her grimy little hand.

She shoved it into her desktop USB port.

Her eyes combed through the photos. “Oh, these are perfect.”

Maddie wasn’t my niece; she was actually my cousin. Her mother, Neri, was my father’s sister, and Maddie was Neri’s youngest daughter. Luckily, for me, she enjoyed modeling as a freelancer. She didn’t work for any agency. She didn’t need to. Her family was in the mafia.

“We can discuss the financials. I’ll have my assistant draft a contract,” Margo said smoothly.

I smirked. “Before we talk money, I want to know exactly who she’ll be working with.”

Margo rattled off a few names, including Claire’s company and another designer.

“There are a couple of things Maddie should do while she’s there,” Margo added. “Get a feel for the place. If you see any designs you love, send me pictures so I can request those pieces for her. That way, she’ll be wearing a one-of-a-kind.”

I tilted my head. “Why not just call the designer and request exclusive pieces upfront?”

“Because I prefer to make that decision upfront and determine if the piece is worthy of the runway or magazine cover,” Margo explained smoothly.

Slick. That was how Claire’s designs were getting stolen.

My expression darkened. I held out my hand. “Flash drive. Now.”

“Is something the matter?” Margo asked, concern lacing her words.

“Yeah, I fucking hate liars and thieves.”

“Me too,” Maddie murmured, her voice dripping with venom.

Margo scoffed, crossing her arms. “I assure you; I am not a thief.”

“I’ve never been so insulted. You need to leave.”

Maddie casually walked to the door, and I heard the soft click of the lock engaging. The blinds flipped shut, darkening the room. She sauntered back to her seat beside me, twirling a tanned finger through her jet-black hair.

“My cousin has footage of you doing some shady shit,”Maddie growled.

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