Page 19 of Ruthless Mafia Boss 3: Vino and Claire

Without hesitation, Theron and Max tossed the men onto a plastic sheet lining the trunk. Xavier slammed it shut.

My men were fed up with the Santon mafia family constantly over stepping.

The moment I got Claire to a safe house; my brother and I were going after the Santons with everything we had. Waiting wasn’t an option. Mafia families faced battles every day. Pulling her into my world wasn’t fair, but it was inevitable. If she was going to survive, she’d have to be stronger than she already was.

“Thanks for coming along,” I chuckled, peeking over the seat.

The tall one coughed, his voice ragged. “The Santons will make you pay for this.”

I smirked. “Guess that banana I shoved down your throat wasn’t enough.”

Xavier kept his eyes on the road as I leaned over the seat. My fist connected with the tall one’s face. Again. And again. Blood splattered as I drove my gloved knuckles into his skin.

“I’m the motherfucking boss of the Romano Crime Family. You disrespectful piece of shit.”

The shorter one flinched but held his tongue.

My rage felt like it was rolling off my body in waves. I grabbed a hammer from my tool kit.

“You’ll certainly suffer for what you’ve done.” Without hesitation, I swung. The tall one screamed as the hammer shattered a bone in his lower arm, then his leg.

“The Santons are a fucking cancer,” I shouted as his screams filled the vehicle.

“My brother and I are going to cut them out for good,” I bit out.

I turned my attention to the short one. His face was pale, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

“Thank your boss for sending you two straight to hell.” I brought the hammer down on his thigh, then his arm, relishing the sickening crunch of impact.

Satisfied, I leaned back, my lips curling into a smirk. “I’m going to send your boss a little souvenir from each of you. A reminder of what happens to those who steal from the Romanos.”

When I was done with them, I went home, cleaned up, and made it just in time to pick up Claire for ournon-date.

After the day from hell, I needed to feel her soft lips. Claire’s lips on mine felt right. She knew it too, but she fought against our connection in the end. Instead, Claire chose to hide behind sex and the temporary pleasure it brought her. But the bastard who made her lose trust in men, he’d feel my wrath soon enough.

Claire would understand soon that she was my woman. It would take time to get her to come around. Hell, it hadn’t been easy thus far. Seeing as though I originally met her back in February as Angelo. I’d known her. I meant Angelo had known her for four months. Technically, Vino just met her.

This woman had me by the balls, and she had no idea. Not that I’d offer up who I really was. Not yet.

I needed to show her she could trust me. But how could I do that when she didn’t even know I was Angelo? That was a bridge I’d have to cross later. For now, I’d break her down slowly, piece by piece. That kiss was proof she wanted—no, needed—more. Letting her take control by having sex in her place, which was really mine anyway, would make her feel safe. But soon, I’d have her exactly where she belonged. At her new residence.

But for now, I also needed to focus on my war with the Santons while also assisting with the ongoing Magarelli war.

In the midst of the wars, I told Claire I’d have a serious conversation with the CEO of a fashion empire.

I stepped into the office of Margo Zenith, fashion goddess to the fashion world. I read that in a magazine. On the surface, she was a powerhouse, but I knew the truth. Her success was built on deception, shady deals, and stolen designs.

Margo sashayed across the room, extending a perfectly manicured hand. “Mr. Romano, I understand you wanted to discuss expanding your niece’s modeling career.”

“Yes,” I said smoothly, glancing to my left.

“She’s got the height, the beauty, and the body, right?”

Margo circled Maddie like a predator sizing up its next meal.

“How old are you?” she asked.

Maddie smiled. “Seventeen.”

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