Page 16 of Boardwalk Kings

So Ava was the perfect choice.

He would eventually spill all of his secrets to her. It was only a matter of time. She was so fucking brilliant she would probably find the money before our forensic accountant.

Giancarlo squeezed Ava’s shoulder, snapping her attention to him. “You’ll work with me, Ava.”

“But,” she whined, breathing hard. “I killed myself to get the analyst position at Hoffman Stone.”

“Ava, please,” he said with a warning tone, trying to remain calm in front of us. “This is a much better opportunity for you.”

Not really.

“I need someone with your skills,” my dad said to her. “So I will see you on Monday, yes?”

Ava wasn’t just book smart.

She was brilliant and learned how to trade and build wealth from her father when she was a girl. As a result, she’d already amassed an impressive portfolio of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds by her eighteenth birthday. With her dad’s help, she even started a hedge fund.

Defeated, she nodded and slapped on another fake grin. “Yes, I will see you on Monday. Thank you, Mr. Luciano.”

“Welcome to the family, Ava.”

Her lip trembled at his words.

She was fucking cute and so damn innocent. I couldn’t wait to take her over my knee and spank her tight little ass.

Giancarlo put his arm around Ava. “Salvatore’s boys are going to help you pack. You’re coming back to Atlantic City tonight.”

“Dad,” she choked out.

“It’s not up for negotiation.” He tapped her shoulder. “Take Dante and his brothers back to your apartment. We’ll meet you at the Portofino to celebrate.”

“But I thought we were going to Le Bernardin. We have a reservation.”

He shook his head. “No, we’ll eat at Dolce.”

“Okay.” She sighed, eyes downcast. “Whatever.”

She took one last look at our parents and then walked away from us, stomping her designer heels on the pavement.

“Go after her,” Dad said. “She needs convincing.”

“Ava doesn’t like change,” Giancarlo told me. “She’ll settle down. I promise she won’t give you any flack.”

She better not.

I waved my hand at my brothers. “Let’s go.”

They followed like obedient dogs.

From a young age, my father had trained me to be the next boss of the Luciano crime family. He instilled the importance of being a leader and enforced the rules. My brothers knew their place. Even Nicodemus, the bastard who constantly gave me shit. But when it came down to it, he did what we told him.

Like, get closer to Ava.

Gain her trust.

So when Nico ran ahead of us to catch up with her, I knew he would smooth things over and get her on our side. It was obvious she liked him. She smiled at him like he was a god, ready to worship at his feet.

She would obey her masters.

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