Page 73 of Ruthless Mafia Boss 3: Vino and Claire

“It’s all you now.” I stood behind her as she took aim and shot by herself. Although she missed the targets a few times, she persevered. Eventually, she hit the target in the head, heart, and shoulder.

“Good job,” I commended her.

“We have a shooting range in our basement, so we’ll keep practicing your headshots,” I stated.

“Sounds great,” Claire replied with a smile.

“I assume Lexis is skilled at shooting?”

“She is. Her headshots are perfect, ten out of ten. Don’t worry, we’ll get you to that level.”

Claire grinned. “I love that she’s a badass black woman who knows how to take care of herself.”

I kissed her cheek. “Soon, you’ll be able to do the same.”

Her smile was stunning. For the first time, she didn’t seem anxious about Ivan coming after her. Now, she felt confident that she’d be able to defend herself if he did.

“Claire, let’s work on fighting techniques.”

She nodded. “Let’s do it.”

We ducked low as the helicopter blades roared above; the wind slapping at our clothes while we moved across the tarmac. My men were already in position, patrolling the perimeter with AR-fifteens and AK-47s, eyes scanning every inch of the land like hawks ready to strike.

Claire’s throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. “They’re ready to shoot to kill?”

“Yes, gorgeous,” I said, my tone low but steady. “This is what it looks like when we’re at war.”

She nodded, eyes sharp despite the weight of our reality. “Does our enemy have any weaknesses?”

I flashed a devilish grin. “He does.”

“Are you and Vince exploiting them?”

I turned to her, grinning. “You know we are, baby.”

She gave a firm nod, jaw tight. I had a mini gangster on my hands.

When we reached the patio, she turned in place, taking in the vast estate that stretched into the trees. “Did you… buy half the block?”

I shrugged. “Yeah. It’s better knowing who’s moving through the woods behind my home. Plus, I like tearing through the trees on an ATV. Hearing the leaves kick up around my tires? It’s like therapy.”

Claire grinned. “You’ve got me hooked on the four-wheelers.”

I leaned in. “Wait until I teach you how to back the jet ski off the yacht.”

Her eyes lit up. “Can we go out on the water next month?”

“Absolutely.”

Inside the house, she halted, her eyes sweeping over the modern kitchen. “This kitchen is huge.”

She turned to look at me, her brow arched. “Gray and gold, huh?”

“You don’t like it?”

Claire reached up, her fingers brushing my stubbled jaw. “Were you in a dark place when you chose the color scheme for this kitchen?”

I would’ve been lying if I said I never thought about settling down when I took the throne. I just hadn’t come across the one. Now I had her.

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