Milo Malone POV
“So tell me, grandson, who is this girl your father is all irate about?” My grandfather doesn’t bother knocking as he comes into my office where I’m anxiously waiting for Winter to head to the airport. After convincing her to travel a few days early for the banquet 2 hours ago, I haven’t heard from her.
It’s going to be after midnight by the time she lands. I’ll have to send Harley to pick them up. I was planning to surprise her when she lands, but perhaps I should wait.
“I don’t see why he’s so upset. I’ve found someone and now he’s unsatisfied with my decision…as usual.” My father and I have never seen eye-to-eye. He wanted a perfect son and I want to do things my way. He’s a traditionalist and I’m willing to change. Even as a child, my father and I didn’t get along.
He’d beat me for anything less than an A, if I missed my target, or complained about having to kill someone. I quickly learned to accept my life and be so damn good at what I do, nobody can tell me shit. And that’s what I’ve done. This mafia wouldn’t be half of where it is if it weren’t for my dedication. I’ll spend days working, travel around the world for new and better connections. We sell the best drugs, guns, counterfeit bills, anything but human trafficking to make a profit.
Naturally, it comes with many enemies. There’s always a target on our backs. When you live at the top, people will do anything to knock you off. Ruthlessness, brutality, and intellect, that’s how you remain at the top. That was always my primary focus.
Then I turned 20 and began getting pressured about marriage and heirs. When the life expectancy is rarely past 30 in the mafia, keeping the family name is a priority.
“So, who is she? What family is she from?” I sigh, grabbing myself a blunt and leaning back in my chair.
“She isn’t from a family. I mean she is, but it’s complicated.”
“Complicated, how?”
“Well, do you Reuben Stone?”
“You damn idiot. Tell me you haven’t been making deals with that pompous weak silver-spoon weasel. You know he still owes us 5 million, we’ve given him more chances than anyone else. He should be taught a lesson, not striking deals. In my day, he’d be dead by now and I’d have my fucking money.” My grandfather starts in like my dad and I just blow out the smoke, waiting for the old man to finish telling his stories.
“This girl, she’s a Stone? You’ve been whining about spoiled princesses yet you’re telling me you’re dating a fucking Stone?”
“She’s not a Stone exactly. Winter ‘Snow’ Dixon, heard of her?”
“No, never” my grandfather holds out his hand and I know he wants her file. I reach into my desk, handing her picture and file to my grandfather, leaning back into my chair, thinking about Winter.
“She was responsible for the Johnny Agate job, we couldn’t even find a way to get to that damn worm.”
“This little thing was responsible for that shit? Alright, I’m a little impressed. But she’s still a Stone.”
“She’s only recently a Stone, yes Reuben is her father but she’s illegitimate. Her mother died as a child and she raised herself until she got sold to the Stone mafia. Johnny Agate was her first job.”
“First? I don’t believe you.” I nod, remembering the reports we saw about Johnny Agate in the news. I was more than impressed when I learned Winter was responsible and it was her first time killing someone.
“Two weeks ago she did this at the club…” I pull up the security feed at the club and turn it to my grandfather. She kept her face hidden from the cameras the entire time, but I know it’s her, I watched her myself. I could see the threat of death hanging in her eyes as soon as she zeroed in on Travis.
The second he told me he was going to get her, I knew he was a dead man. Winter isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. She becomes cold as ice, deadly as an avalanche and has my tremendous respect, among other things.
“She’s sloppy and inexperienced, but she has balls. So is that it? What makes her so different from the perfectly fine girls we picked for you? It seems like you’d have your hands full with this, Snow Dixon. The girls we picked are perfectly happy not asking questions and being a decent mother for our next heir.”
“But that’s just it, Winter doesn’t give a shit about our family. She didn’t even know who we were. Hell, this wasn’t even her choice.”
“If you’re trying to make me like her less, you’re succeeding.”
“Grandfather, do you understand how refreshing it is talking to a girl who doesn’t care that my name is Malone. She doesn’t care about my money, or my position. I can just talk to her, like really talk to her. I haven’t been able to do that since Ariel. I can be Milo, not just Mr. Malone, ya know?” A smile slowly breaks out on my grandfather's face as he smokes his cigar, a reminiscent glint in his eyes.
“I understand, son. I was the same way with your grandmother, she couldn’t stand me when we first met.” I stand from my desk, going to stand at the window, looking over our family estate. A lot of blood, sweat, and bullets went into achieving this. I need someone strong at my side, not a delicate housewife who needs to be rescued if shit gets hot.
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“The truth is, we just met a couple of weeks ago, I haven’t even asked her out yet. Every time I bring it up she thinks I’m joking. But, I’m not, Winter is different and I know that she’s the perfect wife for me. She may not like me yet, but I’m willing to fight for her.” I feel my resolve strengthen as I think about Winter. I know she has feelings for Noé and she’s explained their relationship, it’s special and I won’t interfere.
But, fucking hell, I want her too.
“Well, son, if you really feel so strongly about her, I’ll support your decision. I still want to meet her myself.”
“You will, she’s agreed to come a few days early before the banquet.” My grandfather scoffs as he comes over, slapping his hand on my shoulder.
“And you’re worried that she doesn’t like you? A girl contracted to escort you wouldn’t spend more time with you than necessary if she didn’t like you, son.”
“You think I got a shot?” The swell of hope in my chest is so foreign, it’s uncomfortable. However, as much as I try to beat it down, I can’t. Winter brings out the side of me that wasn’t tainted by the darkness of the mafia. The Milo I reserve for my mother, sister, grandmother, and nieces. Not the monster with death and blood covering every inch of his skin.
Even if she did, I don’t think she’d care, as long as I respect her.
“If you want to ask this girl out, then ask her properly, and I mean real proper, not with all of that digital bullshit you kids do nowadays.”
“What should I do?”
“Well, when I wanted to court your grandmother…”
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“Ms. Dixon, Ms. Divino?” Harley and 10 men in black suits are waiting for me and Noé as soon as we descend the steps of Milo’s private jet. They quickly step forward taking our bags to the car as Harley opens the door for us. It’s almost 2 in the morning and when Milo said there would be a car waiting I didn’t think it’d be so extra.
“You don’t have to be so formal you know?” The corner of her lips quirk barely an inch as she nods her disagreement.
“I’m working, Ms. Dixon and since you’re dating my boss…well, that makes you Ms. Dixon.” I scrunch my brows, since when are me and Milo dating.
“But me and Milo aren’t-” Harley gives an imperceptible shake of her head, glancing at the men in suits. I nod in understanding, getting in the car.
“Right, thank you, Harley.” As we depart from the airport, I notice Noé furiously texting away on her phone, a deep frown on her face. Which only means one thing…
“Is it Emily?”
“Yes, she’s being ridiculous.”
“How so?”
“She’s insisting on coming to the banquet. Apparently Reuben caved after she begged and now she’s coming as Roman’s date. What the hell is she thinking?”
“I’m thinking she’s jealous of you and…a certain right hand woman.”
“She has no right to be jealous. I’m so fucking tired of playing this game with her. I think you were right, I need to move on and you know what that means?” I snicker as she rubs her hands together.
“Sex and shopping.”
“Hell yeah. I’m showing the fuck out this weekend and so are you. This is our first vacation and we’re going to enjoy it. These bitches heads will turn, Milo’s too.”
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The car stops in front of the most beautiful hotel I’ve ever seen and I know that it’s only my first taste of Malone wealth. It’s in a completely different league than Reuben. It’s unbelievable that rich ass people like this exist in real life outside of movies. If someone would’ve told me years ago that I’d be here, rubbing elbows with mafia bosses and the most affluent people in the world, I would’ve laughed.
But I’m really standing here, having people rush to get our bags and greet us with a tray of champagne at 2:45 in the morning. This is a dream I never knew I had and I can definitely get used to this sort of treatment.
“Ladies, Welcome to the Blue Diamond Hotel. Mr. Malone has taken care of all of your reservations. You will be staying in the penthouse suite. If there’s anything you need, call and it will be taken care of.” Harley leads us to the reception desk, where a perky, big tit blonde doesn’t hesitate to assess me.
Judging from her makeup, and her obvious effort, I assume she’s used to getting attention. She repeats the same spiel that Harley said as she gives us our keys and I keep my cold glare on her as she moves. Her smile is fake as fuck, and I know she has something against me already. Probably because the mafia prince himself handled our reservation.
If this is the beginning of dealing with mafia princesses I need to be ready. She’s just a damn receptionist, I can imagine how these bitches will be at the banquet. But that’s why Milo wants me here, to keep them off of his back, and that’s what I’ll do.
Besides, I don’t like these women treating him like he’s nothing more than a cash cow. Milo is more than just an opportunity and powerful man, he’s genuine, attentive, and loves the hell out of his family. He’s not a good guy at all, I’ve seen his work, heard the stories, but he's good to me and Noé. That’s all I care about.
My glare is colder than ice as she hands us our keys. Her attitude quickly disappears and she awkwardly fidgets as she tells us to “enjoy our stay.” I don’t look away as I slide the key towards me, watching as she sucks in a breath, shifting on her feet.
“I-If there's anything you n-need, Ms. Dixon, please don’t hesitate to call.” Tapping the key card on the desk, I nod, glancing at her name tag. “thank you, Ashley,” turning away, she releases a lung full of air and I smirk. Not bad for my first intimidating stare.
“I thought she was going to pee on herself.” Noé mumbles next to me, making me snicker with a shrug. I stretch as we go to the elevator, looking at all of the elegantly dressed people around the hotel.
“If I’m dating the mafia prince I have to play the part right? How do you think I did, Harley?”
“Very believable, Ms. Dixon. Especially since Mr. Malone has already announced his girlfriend’s arrival to his family.”
“Ugh, please stop calling me that. If you insist on being professional then call me Snow, it’s the name I use when I’m working. And what is this about Milo announcing what? Did you say girlfriend? Because I think I misheard you.”
How did one night turn into me being his girlfriend? I know he jokes a lot but telling his family is just taking it too far. I’ve only known him for 2 weeks. I know they say time doesn’t mean anything and it does feel like we’ve been friends for years but still… girlfriend? I’ve never dated anyone but don’t people usually wait longer than a couple of weeks to get together.
“I should let him explain.”
“You can’t just say that and not say anything.” Harley smirks but stays quiet as we step off of the elevator. She’s loyal to her cousin. I know she won’t tell me if Milo instructed her not to. I groan, rolling my eyes and pulling out my phone. I hate walking into something blind. How the hell did I go from an escort to a girlfriend?
“I’ll just ask him myself.” Unlocking the door with one hand, I start typing a message to Milo, but freeze as soon as I cross the beautifully decorated and luxurious entryway.
My phone slips from my grasp and I stare slack-jawed, stunned, shocked, and completely amazed at the sight in front of me.