Page 14 of Fortress of the King

RAYNE

I thoughtthe likelihood of ever seeing Angelo Medici in the gallery was highly improbable, so it was a surprise when he showed up to give me a tour.

I can’t deny that he emanates everything you’d expect a mafia Don to exude.

He’s immaculate. Calculating in every sense of the word, I cannot imagine anyone not being taken under his spell.

In-person, he’s a force of nature.

I don’t want to be nervous around him, that’s not going to do me any good, and I’m not an anxious person by nature, but there’s a first time for everything. With him, the waters are unchartered.

Being in a prior relationship where I’ve had to hide my feelings, I’ve become somewhat of an expert at it. However, it’s all irrelevant because being seduced by him wasn’t part of the plan.

It’s not what I signed up for.

Under normal circumstances, would I be complaining, even though I know he’s trouble? Not at all. But these aren’t normal circumstances.

They say he’s not just difficult but that he’s impossible to get close to. I guess that is until he sees something he likes… which is precisely what I’ve been counting on.

On the outside, I play the part of the new girl in a new city, starting afresh, looking for a new adventure. But looks can be deceiving. The reality is far from normal.

He’ll kill me if he finds out I’m working against him, of that I’m certain.

In fact, I don’t even want to think about the consequences, but I can’t let my train of thought derail me from what needs to be done. After all, this is a game, and Angelo Medici does nothing half-asked.

He takes what he wants, and he’s notorious for it.

Therefore, I’m counting on that at that charity auction tonight.

It’s the night of nights for all the elite forces around Boston. Everyone will be here, and it’s the perfect opportunity to get Angelo’s attention.

All the kingpins will be lined up, ready to make their bids from politicians, billionaires, celebrities, models, rich housewives, and underworld figures posing as businessmen.

I stare at myself in the mirror as I smear on some red lipstick. It seems fitting for a date with the devil.

My eyes cloud over at the memory of the day my life changed.

I’ve been sent to muscle into Angelo Medici’s life and get close to him to gain intel on his comings and goings.

They took my sister.

I’ve no idea who the person is or who I’m being bribed by, but they kidnapped my little sister, Mia, and are holding her ransom.

It all happened after I got the job at Fortress Galleries.

The details are pretty sketchy and I have no names. All I received was a file with a list of what they want, but it doesn’t just stop there, they are also requiring information on his staff, his family,everything.

They won’t even let me speak to her, but I have received a photo of her tied up to a chair, looking terrified.

I have to extract information in order to get her back. I’ve been told very little about where she’s being held, just that they’ll hurt her if I don’t do what they say, and they’ll send me the video showing all the damage they do.

I’m no Boston native, so I had no idea who Angelo was when I took the job at the gallery, only that he was a director.

I soon discovered that he was the head of the Medici mafia family and ran several illegal crime rings. I’ve been given the rundown on his extracurricular activities like controlling most of Boston, owning the Police, overthrowing politicians, and taking no mercy in business. He’s the king of Boston, and he’s well known for the crime syndicate that leaks through this city like a rotting sewer. The Medicis are even resurrecting an old building site and are turning it into their own extravagant Casino and hotel.

I’m no mastermind. I walked into this with a blindfold on and very minimal time to get my head wrapped around what was happening. I had no fucking choice. And the one thing they can count on is I’ll do anything to get my sister back.Anything.

Where do these people come from? Scum of the earth who’ll stop at nothing to get what they want. And theywantAngelo Medici.

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