Page 83 of Ruthless Mafia Boss 3: Vino and Claire

“No.” Biting the corner of her lip, she replied, “It was Vince—Vino’s brother.”

If color could drain from my face, I’d be white as a ghost.

I remembered them talking after Vino beat up that guy. I had no idea they had history.

Did she know he was a dangerous mafia boss? I wasn’t about to ask. I’d wait until she volunteered that information.

“Is something wrong? Is there a problem with Vince?” she asked.

“I don’t know much about him. I’ve had a few FaceTime conversations with him. But he and Vino have been caught up with their business, so we haven’t had a chance to really talk.”

“I’m going to tell Vince we can’t see each other anymore.” She glanced over her shoulder, then back at me. “Archie’s been showing up again.”

I absolutely hated Archie. He was a pretty boy red headed leech, never good for Porsha. He only appeared when he wanted something, and that prick had used her so badly that her family cut her off financially.

She tapped her fingers on her mahogany cheek. “Yeah, no more Vince.”

I could see the pain in her eyes. She didn’t want to end things with him.

“Tell Vince that Archie’s harassing you.”

She shook her head. “I’m going to get a restraining order. It’s long overdue.”

I sensed she was holding something back.

“You know you can talk to me. If you ever need help, just let me know. I’ll speak with Vino. He and I can handle it,” I said as I stood.

Her eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean by ‘handle it’?”

I smirked. “We’re a power couple. We don’t stand by while someone we care about is being taken advantage of.”

I took her hand in mine. “I’ll never forget how you held me down in college. I’ve got your back. You hear me?”

She ran around the desk and hugged me. “We got each other.”

I exhaled. “We do.”

Porsha and I went to assist Meela with the designs so we could get the garments to the merchant on time.

I entered the house at about eight o’clock. Vino had informed me he was heading home. Should be here in thirty minutes. I was too tired to cook, so I had my bodyguards grab dinner on the way. Sitting at the kitchen counter, I quickly ate my avocado salad. I knew Vino wouldn’t mind if I didn’t cook dinner; he always prioritized my well-being. However, it was important to me he was also looked after and had a good meal. Smiling, I made sure to put his food in the warmer.

Today was long, and I needed to be pleased and put to bed.

After a shower, I slipped on one of his crisp white dress shirts and a pair of red stilettos. No bra. No panties. I made my way into his office and sank into his large office chair with a few buttons left undone, letting my bouncy curls fall over my chest as I kicked my feet up on his desk, crossing them at the ankles.

I heard the front door close.

“Shit. He’s here,” I muttered.

“Claire,” he called out.

I should grab one of his cigars. I had seen him pull one from his side drawer one day, and that look would be incredibly sexy.

“I’m in your office,” I hollered out.

I pulled the drawer open. The cigars. Jackpot. I grabbed one out of the box. I had no plans to light it. Just wanted to hold it between my fingers to complete my look. But then something shiny caught my eye under the box. Something gold. I moved the box aside. My stomach dropped. I pulled out a gold mask.

“What the fuck?” I exclaimed, dropping my feet from the desk.

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