“The annual peace banquet is a dinner for different mafia families and organizations to get together, maintain “peace” and form new connections.” Mr. Malone explains the banquet first as me and Noé ice our sore bodies.
“And Reuben has volunteered me to be your date to cover part of his debts?” Mr. Malone nods and I sigh, it’s just like being sold all over again. I’m so sick and tired of these men dictating and controlling my life like I’m so useless fucking doll.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Malone-”
“Milo.” Thank fuck, he’s like my age, calling him Mr is just weird.
“Milo, I just don’t understand. You don’t seem like you’d have a problem asking a woman out so why go through all this trouble.” Harley scoffs, the only sound she’s made since we got home, earning a smile from me and Noé.
“No, asking a woman out has never been a problem, but my dating life isn’t exactly active. Mafia princesses are typically only after power, status, and money. They’d slit my throat in my sleep if it meant improving their own image. The women that my father and grandfather want to set me up with, per tradition, are horrific, 2-faced barbie dolls and I can’t take another one. You don’t even know who I am, you’re perfect.”
“I’m perfect because I don’t know you? And your father and grandfather want to set you up? Like an arranged marriage?”
“Precisely, unless I find someone that I want to be with, the decision falls to them as per family tradition.”
“That must suck.”
“It does, especially when all my father cares about is how profitable my wife will make the family.”
“So, if this goes well, your father and grandfather, they’ll expect more, right?”
“Yes, they would believe that we’re dating.”
“And then what? What does the contract say then?”
“The contract is Reuben Stone offering his daughter as my personal escort for the night, nothing more. If it goes well like you say, then it’d be up to me to make you an offer you can’t refuse. Then seduce you to fall in love with me.” I scoff out a laugh, running my hand through my hair. My sore brain objects to the action but I need to ease the numerous, endless questions flying around my mind.
“What kind of offer?”
“An irresistible one, like protection for your beloved over there.” I look at Noé passed out on the couch from her pain meds, the ice half melted on her face. That would be a tempting offer.
Harley moves before I can, removing the ice and gently wiping her face. Oop, it looks like Noé caught the attention of Milo’s right hand and cousin. Emily will be pissed but maybe that’s the wake up call she needs to stop stringing Noé along.
“I’ll take her to bed.” Harley scoops Noé up in her arms effortlessly and is careful of her sore ribs, she’s gentle with Noé and I think it’s adorable. Noé cuddles into Harley and I snicker, taking a quick picture. She won’t believe this later.
“Last door at the end of the hall.” Harley carries Noé away, leaving me alone with Milo who comes over to sit next to me. He hands me the contract and I read it over with a sigh. At least I can read the terms this time.
“You know I got sold to this mafia. I was a homeless kid whose mother overdosed when I was 5. I was making it on my own and now…now my life is controlled by men I hardly know.” I’m not sure why I’m telling him all of this, but for some reason, those eyes seem to peel the truth out of me. Milo reaches forward, lighting brushing my cheek, under the cut left by Reuben’s rings.
“You're strong, ballsy, I noticed that when you stabbed Travis in the heart and twisted it with a smile. I was very impressed.” If that’s what impresses him then he’s more psychotic than he lets on.
“I know better than to assume that any man tied to the mafia is a decent human being. I’ve seen firsthand how well mafia members wear their masks. So, this is probably pointless and my word means shit but if I can ask…”
“Anything, Snow, as long as you are my date, you can ask for anything.” He’s definitely charming which means I need to be extra cautious. The charmers seem to be the most dangerous.
“All I ask is that you respect me. You don’t have to regard me as your equal or even as someone that you care about, but I just ask that you treat me with respect. With the respect of a woman that damn sure doesn’t need any man to take care of her.” Milo listens intently, a small smile more genuine than the others is there and gone before I can fully admire it.
“Winter ‘Snow’ Dixon, you are a divine fucking woman. I don’t think one night will be enough.”
❄︎❄︎❄︎❄︎❄︎❄︎❄︎
2 weeks Later
I snicker at the video Milo sends me of him rolling his eyes as his father goes off in the background. When I saw him at the club, and again in Reuben’s office, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I definitely didn’t think we’d become friends, or companions. But that night we met, we talked and talked until my eyes couldn’t stay open.
We covered the basic things such as birthdays, favorite things, likes and dislikes. Then we told each other about our past, what he endured as a mafia prince, the brutal training he went through. The resentment he holds towards his father and his love for his grandparents, siblings, and mother.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
He told me about his family’s mafia, feared, revered, respected, and at the top of the food chain. His family apparently is the most thriving mafia in the U.S and Europe. The more he told me I realized I had heard his family name once before at the brothel. Some worker mentioned a big name mafia guy looking for Lue. Apparently, Lue only owns the brothel thanks to a loan by the Malone’s.
We learned a lot about each other in one night and when I couldn’t talk any longer, he offered to clean our mess, carried me to my room, and kissed my forehead goodnight. When I woke up the house was spotless and there was a care package for me and Noé with everything to tend to our previous beating. Milo also sent me my favorite snacks and treats, a new gun, and even a teddy bear.
He’s been adorably sweet for this to just be one night, although he jokes that we’ll end up dating, I know he’s just kidding. This guy could have anyone he wants. As soon as his dad is off of his ass I’m sure he’ll go back to being the most wanted bachelor again.
Until then however, I’ve been relishing in my own Christian Grey without the sex. Milo is powerful, his word is law, anything I mention that I want ends up on my doorstep. I made the mistake of mentioning I’ve always wanted a dog and it took days to talk him out of getting me one.
On the other hand, Reuben hasn’t said a word to me or Noé and Roman told us that Milo put both of us under his protection. I’m not sure what that means entirely, but Noé said it’s a big fucking deal.
I don’t need Milo to protect me, all I care about is him respecting me and he’s gone above and beyond in that aspect.
Mafia Prince: “Save me already.”
The message from Milo has me snickering. His dad has been setting him up on blind dates for the past 2 weeks. Apparently, his dad, Arthur, doesn’t believe that he’s found a woman to settle down with and have an heir. When Milo told Arthur and his Grandfather, Henry about me, they thought I was a fake to get out of dates.
“Ever since you met this guy you’ve been gushing at your phone every 5 minutes, every day.” Noé’s voice has me tearing my eyes away from the screen to look at her from my spot on the couch. The dinner is this weekend and we’re both going. Noé says they go every year, usually with Roman but this year, she’s going as Harley’s date.
“I don’t gush, besides, what about you and Harley?” Noé shrugs casually but I can see that dopey smile threatening to break free. She’s been talking to Harley as much as I’ve been talking to Milo.
“Me and Harley are just friends.”
“That’s because you’re still holding out for Emily.” Noé sighs, groans, before laying her head on my lap.
“Am I delusional waiting for someone that doesn’t want to be with me?”
“I don’t think you’re delusional but I think you should consider moving on. I know it’ll take time, and maybe you and Emily will end up together regardless. But right now, she’s just stringing you along, and you deserve better.” Noé groans again but as her phone chimes in her lap, she’s the one smiling.
I rub her scalp, leaving her to talk to Harley as I think about Reuben. Now that I’ve seen his truth, the man behind the mask, I don’t know how to approach him. That father bonding bullshit that was going on is definitely not happening. I don’t need parents, I’m a grown adult anyway, even if I wasn’t, after that shit I wouldn’t choose Reuben as my father. Instead, he’s like a boss that I hate in a job I can’t leave. My ringing phone breaks the comfortable silence and I smirk, seeing Mafia Prince on the screen.
“Aren’t you supposed to be having dinner with your potential date?” His chuckle fills my ears and I can’t suppress my smile. I can imagine those low eyes due to his drug habit. The guy stays high. It's a surprise that he can function like normal. Most women would find it off-putting but I think it’s a part of his sex appeal.
“I don’t know how much more of this shit I can take. I’m ready to kill my father and the next spoiled brat he tries to throw at me.” Milo sighs before I hear the familiar flick of his lighter. The poor guy sounds stressed as fuck. This is my first time dealing with Reuben threatening and controlling my life, I can’t imagine it being a daily routine.
“I’ve never heard you this stressed before.”
“I wouldn’t have to deal with this if you were here.” He’s been trying to get me to visit him for the past 2 weeks and each time I decline. The banquet is this weekend, me and Noé could go early and avoid traveling with Reuben.
“I doubt your father is going to like me very much, besides I couldn’t meet him all beat up. He’d think I'm weak.”
“You and weak don’t belong in the same vocabulary.”
“But it’s true, if I’m going to be a good date I need to get along with your family, right?” It’s just for one night, unfortunately, but that doesn’t mean I can make a bad impression. The Malone’s are a powerful dangerous family, I’d rather stay on their good side.
“I suppose, however, I don’t care if my family likes you. I like you and that’s all that matters.” He’s always so blunt and open about how he feels. He says I’m the only woman he’s this honest with outside his family. It’s his way of respecting me per my request. However, every time he talks about his feelings for me, I don’t know what to say or how to react.
It warms up my chest and makes me feel proud and giddy, almost honored that he feels this way about me. This is ridiculous. This could all be a perfectly place masked hiding a ruthless deadly beast that secretly wishes to destroy me. But even if it is, I’m going to soak up every second of this facade.
“I told you, you can’t say things like that.”
“Why can’t I? It is not my fault that you don’t believe me.”
“Mi-”
“Oh Milo, there you are, you know it’s rude to work during dinner.” The voice of an obviously spoiled woman sounds behind him. He sighs as I snicker at his predicament. I do feel bad for the guy, constantly being pushed to get married at 23 years old.
“I should let you get back to your date.”
“It is not a date.” His statement has the woman gasping before she’s going on a tangent. She sounds like a damn banshee.
“Will you really leave me to suffer through 3 more days of this stupid bullshit matchups?” Another gasp. I hear him walking away and the girl following close behind, 3 men calling his name, and another sigh from Milo.
“How about if me and Noé come down a few days early?” I’d rather not travel or even be near Reuben at the moment.
“Today.” The word isn’t a question, it's a demand that has me smiling. He can be so needy and clingy, not what I’d expect from a mafia prince. Noé showed me what the Malone’s have done and it’s…let's just say brutal.
But Milo, I haven’t seen that side of him yet.
I just hope it’s not another Reuben situation, because I’m starting to like this guy, just a little.
“I have to pack.”
“I’ll take care of everything.”
“Milo! Get your fucking ass in here!” His father’s furious yells sounds in the background prompting another deep sigh out of Milo. I hear the distinct sound of ice and a drink being poured, likely alcohol.
“Winter, pack fast.”