Married to the Mafia Boss

Evgenii

I read the message over and over again, my pride a little stung. I set my phone down and sighed. I don’t need this right now. Shirley is a distraction I can’t afford to have, and yet, despite my recollection being a little hazy, I do remember most of last night and how pleasurable it was, hopefully for both of us.

My heart feels like it’s hammering in my chest, and I’m unsure what to do, so I sit back in my chair and rest, taking deep breaths as I look out my office window at the ocean.

I think about our first proper date together, the first time I took her out alone. I remember how beautiful she was.

A Few Years Prior

I straighten my suit jacket, comfortable and confident despite being old enough to be my date’s father. This is simply business. I need information about the Sorvino family, and she’s an easy in.

I wait outside the restaurant, wanting to escort her in. I’ve secured a private booth for us and have asked for a special menu to impress her.

A taxi pulls up next to the curb, and Shirley emerges. For a moment, just a moment, my breath catches. She’s in a short blue figure-hugging dress with thin straps over her shoulders. No sign of bra straps, so either she’s gone strapless, or she isn’t wearing one. The idea of the latter really pleases me.

She has sparkling blue heels, and the whole look gives the impression that she has had legs for days, or so the saying goes. Her hair is down in big curls, framing her face. She hasn’t got a lot of makeup on, but her eyeliner and lashes are stark, making her eyes really stand out.

I walk toward her with a big smile, glad she felt the necessity to put so much effort into a date with me.

I smile. “I am so lucky such a beautiful woman has agreed to come out with me tonight.” I offer her my arm, and she blushes slightly as she slips her arm through mine.

I escort her into the restaurant, where several couples are talking quietly over the clink of cutlery against dishes. I smile and lead her toward the back.

“Shouldn’t we wait to be seated?”

“I know where we’re seated already,” I explain. “I know the owners. They gave us a private section.”

She looks pleased, and that makes me happy. She’s easily won over and clearly likes to feel important. This will be a breeze after all.

I pull out her chair for her, and she sits down, setting a small blue handbag I hadn’t noticed next to her. I keep smiling as I go around the table and sit down in my seat.

A waitress comes over to us with a cheery disposition. “Good evening. Can I get you anything to drink while you look at the menu?”

We both take a menu from her, and I nod. “A bottle of your best red wine and a glass of water each.”

I take full control of the situation. I want to test how pliable she is. She smiles and sets her menu down. I know I can order for her, so before the waitress leaves, I say, “We’ll take two dishes of Pozharsky. Bring extra gravy.”

The waitress nods and takes the menus, leaving quickly.

Shirley looks at me curiously. “What is Po…?”

“Pozharsky,” I pronounce slowly for her. “It’s a good dish. Breaded plump Chicken cutlets, served with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy. I know the chef here. It’s delicious.”

Shirley nods. “That sounds divine.”

I smile and lean forward. “So, tell me about yourself.”

She seems shy again but smiles. “Tough one. I’m not sure what to tell you.”

“What’s your favorite color, for starters?”

“Well,” she giggles. “Blue is my favorite color, I won’t lie.”

“I didn’t want to assume,” I chuckle, sitting back as the waitress brings our drinks.

We chat about a few of our favorite things, and at one point, I reach across the table to hold her hand, happy that she doesn’t pull away.

We stay like that until our piping hot food arrives, then we sit back, and I smile. “I always have extra gravy. This place makes the best mushroom gravy.”

She smiles and picks up her cutlery. “I do love gravy.”

We start to eat, and she gives a soft moan that makes me raise an eyebrow. “Enjoying that?”

“It’s delicious.” Her voice is low, and she takes another bite, another small groan.

I chuckle softly as I pour extra gravy on my food before tucking in. She isn’t wrong. My aunt has outdone herself, as usual. We eat quietly before I strike up a conversation about what she does for a living.

“I’m helping my family with some business, a few, actually. At the moment, I’m not much more than a glorified receptionist, but my older brother says that I could go far.”

“Don’t all brothers say that?” I ask curiously. “Surely you want to strike out in the world?”

She smiles knowingly. “No, this is what I want. I want to work my way up, I don’t just want it handed to me, but I want to do it for my family. I mean, they’re technically not my biological family, but for as long as I’ve been friends with their children, they’ve pretty much raised Pierce and me.” She sips her wine.

“Pierce is your older brother?” I ask, inclining my head.

She nods. “Yes. And because we’re like part of the family, I also count Alessandro, Frankie, and Dominic as my older brothers. I consider Ariana as my sister.”

We finish eating, and as the waitress clears the plates, I smile. “The bill is already covered. You know, there’s an entrance to Central Park nearby. Why don’t we take a walk.”

She smiles and nods. “That sounds very romantic.”

I stand and offer her my hand again. We walk out of the restaurant and toward the park. I know we’re safe here. Nobody would dare attack me in this neighborhood.

We reach the entrance to the park and walk down the pathways.

“What do you do for a living?” she asks quietly as we stroll hand in hand.

“I’m an investor,” I say. “Properties mostly, but I own shares in other ventures, as well. I’ve always been interested in it, and luckily, I’m good at it.”

She starts to tell me about a property that her family is trying to secure, they think she doesn’t know, but she does. I listen intently and offer some advice, perhaps not the correct advice by all means, but some.

We settle on a grass embankment and simply enjoy each other’s company until, at one point, she glances at the expensive watch on her wrist. “Shit, it’s already one. I should get home. I’ve got work tomorrow.’

I smile and help her up. “My car is near the restaurant. I’m happy to drive you home.”

She shivers slightly, and in seconds, I’ve slipped out of my suit jacket and hung it over her shoulders. “Here, that should keep you warm until we reach my car. I’ll turn the heating on then.”

She smiles, and we walk, not entirely fast, to my car. I open the door for her and let her in. “Let’s get you home.”

I climb in and pull onto the road. “What’s your address?”

She gives me her apartment address, and I drive there and exit, opening the door for her. I walk her upstairs to her front door, and we stand there for a moment. She slips out of my suit jacket and hands it to me. “I had a lovely evening.”

“So did I,” I say quietly. “I’d love to see you again.”

“I’d really like that, too,” she murmurs.

I smile and lean down, gently kissing her lips.

She moans softly and presses her body against me. I know I can go in there right now and ravage her, but I want her to think of me as a gentleman, so we kiss a while longer before I break it.

“I’ll send you a text,” I say softly, kissing her once more before I leave after watching her enter her apartment.

Present Day

I don’t want to think about the past. It hurts my heart to remember what I did to her, how things ended, and the look on her face when she realized I’d been playing her all along.

I sigh and run a hand through my hair. The guilt gnaws at me relentlessly, and the only reprieve I get is when there’s a knock at my door. The guard, Igor, comes in. “Sir, your sister, Natalia, is here.”

I stand quickly. “Bring her in straight away.”

Igor stands aside, and my gorgeous sister strides in. “Evgenii!” She throws her arms around my neck and hugs me tightly. The guard is nowhere to be seen.

“How was visiting our parents in Europe?” I ask, motioning for her to sit.

She sits opposite me and smiles brightly. “They’re doing very well. They love their whole travel the world for their retirement plan.”

I smile brightly. “A wonderful gift from Ivan. Our Pakhan is very generous.”

“Are you feeling generous?” Natalia asks me.

I quirk an eyebrow and smirk. “What do you want?”

“Just to stay here,” she says quickly. “I’ve decided not to travel to England anymore. I want to stay here in New York. Our aunt has already offered me a sous chef position at the restaurant.”

I smile. “How could I ever say no to my baby sister? Unfortunately, though, you will have to get yourself settled as I have some business to attend to. You’ll be fine on your own, right? If you need a car, I have a Chrysler in the garage that you can use.”

We both stand, and she hugs me again. “Thank you, that’s perfect. I’ll see you later.”

I kiss her head and leave, taking my car and driving toward the warehouse we share with the Sorvino family-one of our future Pakhan’s ventures. Roman is inheriting a massive legacy.

When I arrive, I instantly recognize the Jeep that’s parked nearby. That’s Francesco Sorvino’s Jeep. He’s probably here for the same reason as me-inspecting goods.

He looks up at me as I approach him. “Evgenii.”

“Francesco.” It’s a curt response, and I look around. “Anything to report?”

He hands me a folder. “The sales from this month. I thought it would be easier to go over instead of trying to capture them together.”

I chuckle. “Do you hate my spreadsheets that much?”

“They don’t make sense,” Frankie says good-heartedly. “Also, you look exhausted.”

“Actually, I had a few drinks and dinner with Shirley,” I comment casually.

Frankie frowns. “Never a good idea, Evgenii. Most of all, I don’t think my parents have forgiven you for taking advantage of her because it broke her heart. Please leave her alone.”Property © 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

I hold my hands up. “Hey! She called me. She wanted to meet up with me.” I feel as though it’s a challenge, but I know Frankie is right. I should stay away from her.

“I’m telling you, stay away from her.”

I don’t answer him, and he leaves shortly after. I stand there for a moment before taking out my phone. Frankie might be right, but I can’t help myself as I text Shirley to ask when I can see her again.